Urgent Care :: Severe Constipation

[Zarjulius & Miaomiao]

This is quite terrible, one of my turtles is trying to poop, and I can see it coming out of his clocoa (sp?), but as if on a string, he just pulls it back in. He has been doing this for a while now (days) even though he is still hungry every day, but now I made the tank water quite a bit warmer and at one point I looked over and saw him struggling to poop, and what was coming out of him was ENORMOUS!!! I was seriously scared, the amount of poop was maybe twice bigger than his head, I have no idea how all of it even fits inside of him.. he is maybe around 4 inches long? and then, just like that, ALL of that went back inside of him. It's almost like that poop is just attached to his insides or something. I took both of my turts to the vet today because the other is also sick, not the same thing, but he basks all day and seems out of it.. i think he ate something bad, but anyway all she did was do a de-worming on both of them and didn't give him any laxative or anything. Any immediate advice? I tried to give him some lettuce now but he didn't want it so much. Thanks

[Zarjulius & Miaomiao]

Ok, after browsing around I think it may be his penis indeed... only thing i'm worried about is, the color isn't purple-ish like in the pictures, its more green like their poop is (cuz they eat those reptomin pellets) and the shape isn't quite the same... the actual "tip" is much longer in my turtle, and he rarely puts out the entire.. uh.. "crown"? anyways...

[steve]

Sounds like fanning. Anyway, I've seen a dark brown color before... any chance you can post a picture?

[Zarjulius & Miaomiao]

I grabbed my camera once i saw that (terrible) sight but as soon as i moved it all went back in...... shyacks

[steve]

As long as it retracts... has he been defecating?

[Zarjulius & Miaomiao]

It's hard to say because I have two turtles so who knows which one is defecating.. Now that one of them is not eating, really, (sick) I should be able to see some feces tomorrow perhaps and confirm.

[industrial_girl_2000]

The boys will sometimes stick their penis out (big huge brown thing) and then suck it back in. If it is a very dark brown color, then it is just his male organ & it is nothing to worry about. If the thing coming out of his cloaca is gray in color, then it could be an intestinal prolapse ("intestine coming out") which is a serious problem that needs vet attention.

[Zarjulius & Miaomiao]

OK! I got some pics for you to "analyze"... These first few do look like it is his penis...










But THIS one looks messed up indeed. I don't know what's going on there... how could it swell so much? Is it still just his penis???? If so, I'M JEALOUS!!!!!!!!!

[madmax1]

Is that a jewish Turtle Or A christian turtle can't tell from the pictures

[Zarjulius & Miaomiao]

Whatever kind of religion, he's gotta be popular with the ladies, I presume

[madmax1]

how you doing? Read about pink sorry about your situation . seems like your other guy is fine.

[Zarjulius & Miaomiao]

yes he seems fine.. i have to make sure he stays that way. going to change his tank water now, give him a fresh start...

[grey goose]

Looking at those pics I noticed you have that decoration in the tank, and in pic #3 and 4 I noticed some nylon looking net that appears to be some sort of hammock? I'm wondering if Pink may have eaten some of this (or some other part of this decoration), became impacted, and died as a result.
It's pure speculation on my part, but I would remove that thing right away, it just doesn't look safe to me.........

Also, penile OR intestinal prolaspe could be a symptom of impaction (strain of the lower bowel).

[Zarjulius & Miaomiao]

Yeah... it's like two palm trees connected by a hammock. They both had it since I go them, over a year ago. Are you saying Pink could have eaten the actual hammock string material or the ceramic sculpture? I doubt it... Brown (the one in these pics) is the one that tends to nibble on anything he sees. By the way, we showed these pics to the vet, and again, she said it's normal and that "it's really big". When I talk to her again on the phone I'll ask if it could be any sign of impaction and whether there's any danger. They love that hammock tho, it's where they sleep every night. There's not really many decorations in the tank, but he needs something there.. what do you suggest instead?

Also, when you say penile prolapse is a symptom, is it even if he fully retracts the penis back?

[grey goose]

Penile prolapse can occur if a male turt is "straining" to go or is constipated or impacted. Pic #4 looks to me like way more than simple "fanning", which is part of the act of mating.
As far as decorations.....the latter Vets told you they suspected a neurologic or blood problem with Pink......is that decoration listed as aquarium safe? I've read so many articles lately about children's toys being tainted, for gods sakes! Do you think anyone cares about aquarium decorations? I'd remove all of it and keep a close eye on Brown for a couple of weeks at least.........