From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-03-14 23:00:00 UTC
Subject: Re: prolapsed rectum please doc help me!
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Sukie Crandall <sukiecrandall@t...>
wrote:
> First off, I am not a vet but am used to prolapses. How bad is it?
> Is it pink? Red? Purple? Slight in size or large? A bad
prolapse
> needs veterinary care, perhaps even a bit tightening with simple
> purse string stitching or sometimes even more correction. If it is
> red (esp. deep red) or purple, or has not gone back in over with
> moisturizing, or if a lot of tissue is involved I think that you
> should immediately contact your vet and speak directly with your
> veterinary professional. If it is mild (pink, small) try
Preparation
> H. If it doesn't go in with that call your vet.
Good call Sukie. I often put a little cortisone (0.1%) in with the
Preparation H.
>
> Be sure to wet down any food you give the kit to decrease
irritation.
I'm not sure if it will make any difference. Kibble that is chewed
up is probably no harder on the colon than that which is pre-
moistened.
The key to prolapse is curing the diarrhea - the colon is straining
to push out stool with no form - there is nothign to push against.
In this case, the diarrhea is probably stress-related. It is
uncommon that a prolapse could occur as the result of a stressful
episode of only 10 hours in duration, but perhaps there was
subclinical diarrhea earlier, and this was the last straw.
Just to be on the safe side, I'd suggest a couple of fecals to make
sure there are no parasites causing the diarrhea (I tend to doubt
it,but it doesn't hurt to check it out.
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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