Prolapsed Cloaca at-home fix

[wolfmane]

If you think you may be in this boat and don't have the option of a knowledgeable vet, here's what I did.

*Get em in the fridge and let them chill for a good 24 hours

*In a well-lit area, get a Q-tip, KY or Vaseline a clean hand towel and a bobby pin

*Remove your buddy from the bowl and place him belly up in one hand, using the towel to hold him still and keep him from sliding away from you. He'll be less wiggly since he's slowed down from his fridge time.

*Use the Q-tip to gently lube up the prolapse, especially the sides then using the rounded edge of the pin, carefully maneuver the pink insidey bit back into the slit between his legs. Applying the pin to the topmost area towards the front of the animal is the most effective spot as the cloaca attachment is shorter and it will more or less shoot back inside. Be smooth and quick but not hasty, this is stressful for both of you. If you don't get it in 2 minutes or so, put him back in the water and take a break for a few. It's also VERY important you don't force too much and get things twisted up inside of there.

*Once it's back in, lay your finger across the slit and slowly extract the pin. If it stays in, you're good. If it pops back out, try again.

*Put him back in his bowl then go smoke a cigarette or throw up, whatever helps you down from the nervous wreck you are by now.

*I floated his bowl back in the main tank to acclimate back to normal temperature. Fed him sparingly a few hours later then released him back in with his pals and we've been good to go since then.

This condition will eventually kill your axolotl if it's not corrected one way or another so if the vet is not an option for you, this worked for me.

 

[Sweetie]

Wow. You must have a strong stomach and a steady hand. Not sure I could handle the stress of DIY surgery on an axie. By a bobby pin, I presume you mean one of those padded hair pins?
How long ago did you perform this operation-in-the-home? I'm wondering if the condition will quickly recur.
Also, what would the post-op instructions be if a vet had done this operation? Would a particular diet be recommended, for example, something that would eliminate any straining while defecating, at least for a week or two? What are the risks of infection in this situation - should anything prophylactic be done in regard to preventing that?
Just talking off the top of my head here. Perhaps Dark Maverick could enlighten us on some of these points. I'd love to hear his opinion.
Meanwhile, best of luck with the lotl patient. Let's hope he continues to thrive.

 

[Otterwoman]

In the medical field, you have to have a streak of dare-devil in you. When I worked in the hospitals, I used to have to do a similar procedure on old ladies whose uterus would repeatedly prolapse. I mean, I didn't fridge them or anything, just got a glove and some surgi-lube, but you gotta do what you gotta do for the sake of the patient. I'd stay away from the Vaseline and use the KY, it's water soluble and the Vaseline is not.
Actually if you perform it successfully, you shouldn't feel sick, rather feel energized and like a super hero, able to handle anything life throws at you!