prolapsed hemepenes

[Sara]

I have run out of ideas and help.
My son has a veiled cham. He is 1 1/2 yrs old. He has a prolapsed hemepenes. I have taken him to the only vet near me for help. He tried to put it back in, no luck. Sent me home with an oil based cream to put on 3-4 times a day. No real change. I called back to see next step. I read amputation and the vet doesn't want to do it but has no other suggestions. Do I have him just put down? the vet said he will do the surgery but highly suggests against it. I've tried sugar water to. Cold water. I'm at a loss.

 

[jannb]

Where do you live? I might be able to help you local a chameleon vet within driving distance.

 

[Sara]

Corning - zip code is 96021

 

[jannb]

What big town is that close to?

 

[jannb]

What big town is that close to?

You can start here and see if any of these are close to you.
http://arav.allenpress.com/arav/findavet#stateHeadCA

Here one recommended by one of our members.
San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Ken Harkewicz, VMD
Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital
2126 Haste Street
Berkeley, CA 94704

510-848-5041

Open every day for appointments 8 am – 8 pm
Open 24 hours for emergencies.

Website

You can read through the post in this thread where the member here recommend their vets and see if you can find one. You boy needs a good vet ASAP.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/area-area-country-vet-list-32880/

 

[Sara]

Im inbetween Chico and Redding. Im in a small town

Those locations are 3 1/2 + hours one way

I know he will die if its left untreated. The vet that said he handles reptiles is the one who said he doesnt want to do it, so Im just not sure what to do.

 

[jannb]

Im inbetween Chico and Redding. Im in a small town

Those locations are 3 1/2 + hours one way

I know he will die if its left untreated. The vet that said he handles reptiles is the one who said he doesnt want to do it, so Im just not sure what to do.

My vet that does surgery is four and a half hours away. To far for me to drive back and forth in one day so I have to get a hotel and spend the night.

 

[Sara]

Thats the hard thing, I have 3 younger kids with 2 in school. Husband works out of town so no one to help with the kids while i go. This really stinks because i know how serious it is. I will see what I can do, Thank you for all your help.

 

[Sara]

I was able to find a vet with experience who seen him today. They gave him some anesthesia, was able to get it back in with a few stitches. Said they can't promise me anything but I'm happy for now. Brought him home, seen him drinking and this afternoon he ate some. Hope that's a positive sign. Back Thursday for stitch removal.

 

[Lathis]

Fingers crossed! Keep us updated.

 

[Sara]

Heres a little update. We took him back Thursday for a check up, he looked great so we decided to leave stitches for 5 days. They were taken out Saturday morning and within 3 hours, he prolapsed again.

Took him in again today for what we thought would be an amputation however vet decided to place it back in spot and stitch it one more time before amputation. We will go back in 7 days unless he isnt doing well before then.

 

[MelissaB]

My fingers are crossed for you. I hope it stays in this time. I'm glad you were able to find a vet that could help him.

 

[Lathis]

Poor little guy. We're rooting for him.

 

[jannb]

I'm glad to hear you were able to get him to the vet. Hopefully it will stay in this time but even if he has to get the amputation, they are normally perfectly fine after the surgery.

 

[ChameLIonLover]

Hi fellow forumers,

My guy today, I believe for the first time, had a prolapse.
I am very uneducated about what this means, but this is when a red object is protruded, correct?

It went right back... one moment it was out and moving kinda interestingly, and the next moment it was brought back in.

Do I need to be worried?

 

[MelissaB]

Hi fellow forumers,

My guy today, I believe for the first time, had a prolapse.
I am very uneducated about what this means, but this is when a red object is protruded, correct?

It went right back... one moment it was out and moving kinda interestingly, and the next moment it was brought back in.

Do I need to be worried?

I believe it's only a prolapse if he can't put the equipment away. It's normal for males to flash their stuff, especially after a bowel movement. When they can't retract their hemipenes is when it's a problem.

 

[ChameLIonLover]

I was eating breakfast before class this morning and I nearly spat out my cereal and milk, I was so startled!

Anyways, I read i should have some KY jelly or something nearby just in case. Should it happen and a prolapse occurs (if the hemipene did not go back in), one is supposed to keep it moist, correct? Otherwise it would dry out.

 

[MelissaB]

Yes, that's true. KY jelly is a good product to have on hand, just in case. It's water soluble and would help keep a prolapse from drying out.

 

[laurie]

I was eating breakfast before class this morning and I nearly spat out my cereal and milk, I was so startled!

Anyways, I read i should have some KY jelly or something nearby just in case. Should it happen and a prolapse occurs (if the hemipene did not go back in), one is supposed to keep it moist, correct? Otherwise it would dry out.

Yes you would need to keep it moist, but chances of a prolapse are a lot smaller. Your guy may flash you the family jewels a number of times, do worry, that is normal.

 

[laurie]

Heres a little update. We took him back Thursday for a check up, he looked great so we decided to leave stitches for 5 days. They were taken out Saturday morning and within 3 hours, he prolapsed again.

Took him in again today for what we thought would be an amputation however vet decided to place it back in spot and stitch it one more time before amputation. We will go back in 7 days unless he isnt doing well before then.

Sara I know just how you feel, i live in a very small town in northern Montana, there are 3 vets in Montana who treat chameleons. The closest of the 3 is 5 1/2 hours each way. I have weather in the winter, that stays below 0 for days. Sometimes I just have no option to see a vet. I have purchesed the best reptile surgery and medicine textbook on the Market and do the best I can.