Urgent: Suspected rectal or uterine prolapse.

Lemon66| · 06-03-2015, 03:39 PM

I am desperatly seeking advice. My female syrian is 2 years and 4 months old and just now I noticed a red protrusion in her anal region. It looks like a part of her intestine or uterus has everted out through the opening. It's not bleeding. If it weren't for her behaviour I would assume that it was really painful by the looks of it, but the thing is she's her normal happy self. I opened the cage door and she immediatly climbed into my hand, as always.

I've done a quick google search, and from what I gather the apparent lack of pain indicates that this is a uterine prolapse, and not a rectal prolapse? Any of you have any experience that contradicts or supports this? And is it correct that a uterine prolapse is considered less fatal? Is this a death sentence? Please tell me there's something I can do! Maybe the situation can be aided by gently trying to push it back in, after carefully cleaning it? Maybe trying to cool it down slightly with ice? Of course I won't attempt anything before I recieve solid advice.

It's half past midnight and I think all the vets are closed, but I'll be making calls anyways to see if I can get an answer somewhere. In my experience though, most pets don't really know much about hamsters. I think it's more likely I'll get a satisfactory answer on HC than from a vet right now. I should be able to get in touch with an expert on small pets and rodents in the morning.

Right now I'm cleaning out all the wood shavings from her cage so that nothing sticks to her protrusion. I'll use an old t-shirt for bedding. Anything else you can think of?

souffle · 06-03-2015, 04:02 PM

sounds like you need to see a vet urgently. It is possible to ease a prolapse back but it is really important it does not dry out as it will start to die off. If she is unable to urinate too this will be serious. I'd try and get an emergency vet to see her. If it is the bowel then it is unlikely to be able to be replaced.
It could be that there is a tumour that is pushing through but again she needs a vet. They will likely have to give her some gas to clean it and try and replace it and she may need a stitch to hold it in place.
Sending healing wishes and good luck x

Erin.R · 06-03-2015, 04:12 PM

I have a boy that I thought had a prolapse but it ended up being an abscess. I have a picture but warning it is gross. I can post it if that's ok to do as I said it is graphic but it may be able to help. He had no pain either, he acted normal in every way. Either way you will need to see a vet as souffle said but an abscess is not as life threatening as a prolapse.

Lemon66| · 06-03-2015, 04:13 PM

Thank you so much for answering Souffle!! I'll moisten it carefully with some water (if I can find pure sodium chloride I'll make a physiological saline solution). And I'll keep trying the different vets' offices.

Would you be able to determine whether it's the intestine or the uterus from a picture?

souffle · 06-03-2015, 04:16 PM

I can try but I won't be up much longer and I am not a vet. Can you see which vent it is coming from?

Lemon66| · 06-03-2015, 04:30 PM

Erin.R · 06-03-2015, 04:50 PM

Thought I would answer in case Souffle isn't back on.Looks like the rectum to me. Its hard to tell if it is a prolapse though, as I said I thought my boys was and it was just a piece of something had gotten stuck on his bum and a access formed around it. Just to compare I will add my photo. Now this was after a couple days so his infection was worse, I was out of town for a couple days and my son just fed and watered them so did not notice anything amiss. He showed no signs of pain before or after they drained it.

Erin.R · 06-03-2015, 04:55 PM

I know if it is a prolapse keeping it moist is important and try to keep an eye on her, which I now is hard, but many times they will not understand what is going on and try to groom the area and end up making it bleed.
i have a young male hamster here that has a permanent prolapsed rectum. the vets tried everything to get it to stay in including stitches and using vasoline to ease it back in. I thought he would have a very short life but so far he is ok. He has no pain, he poos fine and is a happy little guy. I can try to get a pic in a bit of his but he is small, he never grew much, and doesn't care to be held.
The best thing to do is get her in as soon as you can and try to keep an eye on the things I said.

Lemon66| · 06-03-2015, 05:09 PM

Thank you Erin, for taking the time! I really appreciate it. I'm loosing my mind here, I really wish I knew what to do. I agree that it looks like it's coming from the anus. Upon closer insepection I'm nearly certain. I suppose I'm somewhat calmed down by the fact that a rectal prolapse isn't necessarily painful, but I'm still scared that I'm going to lose her.

Lemon66| · 06-03-2015, 05:16 PM

It looks like the swelling is subsiding!! This has got to be a good sign, no?

Iknow it's not dried up because I recently moistened it.