My name is Brittany Thompson. I have a quick question about my sugar glider, one that has me absolutely worried sick right now. I was hoping you could help.
I've had my sugar glider for about two years now. He's a male and I bought him from a local pet store (a woman from Florida often sells some of her sugar glider joeys to this local pet store when she passes through town). I've never had any issues until now. After I woke up after noon today, I quickly checked on Theodore, just like any other day. I was shocked to see that it seemed as if he was using the restroom, which wouldn't have been any type of issue except for the fact that his stool looked as if it was covered in blood, or so I thought. After thinking back on the situation, it was really just a red color. After [censored] out, I immediately jumped on the Internet and tried to do some research. A lot of the responses I received mentioned that 99.99% of the time people confuse this with being the male sugar glider's private area. But I also found something that really bothered me: prolapse rectum. I've checked several times since I found Theodore like this, but the red worm-like area that's sticking out from Theodore has yet to go back inside of him. I'm not sure how long a male sugar glider's private area usually stays out, but it's been several hours since I've discovered this on Theodore. He isn't acting like he's in pain - he's still as happy and as active as usual. Though in my shock, I've cleaned his cage thoroughly to make sure it was spotless (just in case it was a bacterial issue or whatever) and I've bought him a new food that's more nutritious for him (just in case it was due to an improper diet - I have been feeding him fruit more often this past week) along with tons of fresh water (in case it was due to dehydration). But after reading more about the prolapse rectum, I've read that you only have an hour to rush your sugar glider to a vet to correct this problem, and that the sugar glider only has a 50/50 chance of survival. The only issue I have is that there isn't a vet open around me, let alone a vet that specifically specializes in exotic pets. I'm worried sick about my little Theodore, but like I said earlier, he's acting completely normally. I can only assume that a sugar glider suffering from prolapse rectum would be in a great deal of pain. That or wouldn't be active, at least. His private area does seem to be red, if the area sticking out from Theodore is his "private area"; as if it's irritated or something. I just don't know what to do at this point.
I just would really like your opinion to help ease my mind, if you don't mind. I know you guys have A LOT more experience on this issue that I do.
Thank you so much for your time. I can't tell you how much it means to me. I'm really concerned at this point and I don't know what else to do.
Sincerely,
Brittany Thompson
Re: Please Help!!!
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#1047684 12/29/1002:39 AM12/29/1002:39 AM
Brittany, I am rather new with gliders so I am not sure I can be of much help here. Is there any way you can post a picture of what you are seeing? If it is his male part it does look like a worm but is forked so that it actually looks more like 2 worms. Does the area appear to be swollen? Also, does he make any noises while he is using the bathroom?
Re: Please Help!!!
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#1047686 12/29/1002:42 AM12/29/1002:42 AM
I don't know how to post a picture - I just registered for this site tonight, I'm sorry. I can send you guys a picture. Upon further inspection, it does seem to be Theodore's private area, it's just not retracting. I read a website that said to use a water-soluble lubricant to keep the area moistened since it has been out for so long, but another website said not to do that because the lubricant will make it harder to retract the private area back in. I'm so confused.
Re: Please Help!!!
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#1047688 12/29/1002:47 AM12/29/1002:47 AM
I don't know how to post a picture - I just registered for this site tonight, I'm sorry. I can send you guys a picture. Upon further inspection, it does seem to be Theodore's private area, it's just not retracting. I read a website that said to use a water-soluble lubricant to keep the area moistened since it has been out for so long, but another website said not to do that because the lubricant will make it harder to retract the private area back in. I'm so confused.
Re: Please Help!!!
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#1047690 12/29/1002:50 AM12/29/1002:50 AM
Thank you so much. Do you mind if I send you a picture to verify that this is Theodore's private area? I can send it to your e-mail, if you'd prefer that.
Re: Please Help!!!
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#1047692 12/29/1002:51 AM12/29/1002:51 AM
Is it possible that what you are describing is his penis protruding? If so, you can use a Q-tip and some KY Jelly and apply it to this area. By doing so the penis will retract. You should make sure that it does not stay dry and out for too long. I've had a male glider with this issue and sometimes their hormones play a big part. If it does not retract by itself, please keep it moist and get your baby to a vet asap.
A photograph will be helpful.
If this is not the penis protruding, it can be that he was a bit constipated, and the area is red and irritated, not necessarily a rectum prolapse. This can only be determined by a vet.
Let me know what you find out. Our thought process is the same but for me, a picture says a thousand words. If it were constipation, I would think he would be making some sort of sounds/noises stating there was a difficulty there.
Brittany ~ I am very glad you logged in for assistance. There are ALOT of people on here with various experiences that help. I am always learning new things. So welcome and hopefully this will get figured out shortly.
Let me know how your little guy is doing. Okay?
Re: Please Help!!!
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#1047701 12/29/1003:04 AM12/29/1003:04 AM
Thank you for posting this Ash. It looks like the penis to me too.
As long as you keep it moist there should be no troubles. If it stays dry and protruding for too long it can become necrotic and some of the tissue will need to be removed. But if you keep it moist, it should retract on it's own, if the problem persists, you need to get your boy to the vet.
Thank you guys so much for your help. A penis that won't retract is a better issue than that of a prolapsed rectum. I really appreciate the advice and help you all have given me. I honestly didn't expect any responses this late. Thank you so much for easing my mind. I was so worried and so scared. And if this issue does continue, I will most definitely have poor little Theodore neutered. Thank you guys again - I really can't tell you guys how much of a relief this is.
Thank you guys so much for your help. A penis that won't retract is a better issue than that of a prolapsed rectum. I really appreciate the advice and help you all have given me. I honestly didn't expect any responses this late. Thank you so much for easing my mind. I was so worried and so scared. And if this issue does continue, I will most definitely have poor little Theodore neutered. Thank you guys again - I really can't tell you guys how much of a relief this is.
Re: Please Help!!!
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#1047708 12/29/1003:12 AM12/29/1003:12 AM
Thank you guys so much for your help. A penis that won't retract is a better issue than that of a prolapsed rectum. I really appreciate the advice and help you all have given me. I honestly didn't expect any responses this late. Thank you so much for easing my mind. I was so worried and so scared. And if this issue does continue, I will most definitely have poor little Theodore neutered. Thank you guys again - I really can't tell you guys how much of a relief this is.
Re: Please Help!!!
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#1047709 12/29/1003:15 AM12/29/1003:15 AM
Thank you for being such an observant mommy to catch this in time.
One more thing, please look if all the tissue is a healthy pink. If there are areas that are darker or even going to "black", you'll need a vet asap for sure. I am saying this as I cannot clearly see on the photographs what the color is.
I does seem relatively pink, some areas may seem to be a bit darker, but nothing is dark red or black. If he hasn't retracted it by morning, I will most definitely have him at a vet tomorrow. He hasn't definitely scared me today. Thank you guys again. This is such a relief.
Re: Please Help!!!
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#1047716 12/29/1003:27 AM12/29/1003:27 AM
Nope, Vaseline will only make it harder to retract. It's too sticky, and will only cause the penis to stick to the fur. Plain lubricant like KY jelly is your best bet.
I does seem relatively pink, some areas may seem to be a bit darker, but nothing is dark red or black. If he hasn't retracted it by morning, I will most definitely have him at a vet tomorrow. He hasn't definitely scared me today. Thank you guys again. This is such a relief.
Okay, thank you! I didn't want to use it if it was harmful or if it was only going to make the situation worse. I just didn't have KY Jelly on hand. Thanks again
Re: Please Help!!!
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#1047725 12/29/1004:19 AM12/29/1004:19 AM
I went to Wal-Mart and got some KY Jelly. I just applied it not too long ago. He just seems to be checking things out. As of right now, it hasn't gone back in yet.