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 #1825360


AthenAltena
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 Odd issue with leo digestive tract

Hey all. I’ve had my leo, Ryu, for about 3 years now and got her as an adult, but today I noticed something odd about her.

It looks like some sort of black thread or hair got into her digestive tract, and I can see several inches of it coming out the other end. I’m not sure exactly what it is or how it got there, and I don’t want to touch it for fear of hurting her.

She’s not doing anything like acting out of the ordinary and she ate this morning, but I’m wondering if this is harmful and if there’s anything I should do about it, or if I should just leave it be and let it get passed through normally. I’m also wondering if this may require a vet or any sort of special treatment if it turns out to be harmful.

This is the first major health concern I’ve had for her, so I’d very much appreciate any information you might be able to give me about what I should do. Thanks in advance,
~ AA
08/09/08  07:56pm

 #1825579


Jakemyster44
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   Message To: AthenAltena   In reference to Message Id: 1825360


 Odd issue with leo digestive tract

I would think pulling it out wouldnt be too much of a problem, but you dont want to really mess things up, so I wouldnt. I suggest waiting untill next time she goes to the bathroom, and seeing if is still there. If it is, then I would imagine it is caught up on something, and would need to be assesesd by a vet.
08/09/08  10:50pm

 #1826556


Lovetheleo
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   Message To: Jakemyster44   In reference to Message Id: 1825579


 Odd issue with leo digestive tract

if it comes out when you gently pull on it you shouldnt harm her but if it doesnt come out with gentle pulling i would wait until it comes out on its own

maybe try some olive/mineral oil if it doesnt come out within the next few days
08/10/08  09:51pm

 #1827186


AthenAltena
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   Message To: Lovetheleo   In reference to Message Id: 1826556


 Odd issue with leo digestive tract

Well, as of this afternoon (2 days after first post) it’s still there, and she obviously doesn’t like me pulling on it, so I think I will try the oil suggestion. It does appear to have moved, but there’s still quite a bit of it in there. I honestly have no idea where this might have come from, since it’s obviously not one of my hairs nor is it like that of anyone in our household. I appreciate everyone who’s contributed information so far.
08/11/08  03:19pm

 #1827264


AthenAltena
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   Message To: AthenAltena   In reference to Message Id: 1827186


 Odd issue with leo digestive tract

I called the local reptile vet, and it he said that it’s possible that the thread/hair is wrapped around her intestine, which is obviously a very bad thing. He’d be unable to do anything about that since it requires surgery, but he said there’s a chance she could still pass it through. It was fairly obvious from his tone that he thinks that if it’s wrapped around her intestine it’ll kill her, but other than giving her some oil there’s not much I can do but wait for now.

Once again thank you to everyone who’s given advice so far.
08/11/08  04:27pm

 #1828225


AthenAltena
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   Message To: AthenAltena   In reference to Message Id: 1827264


 Odd issue with leo digestive tract

Good news: It’s out! Early this morning I saw that she’d pushed it most of the way out, so I gave her a little help with the rest of it, and it’s gone! I’m sure that we got the whole thing since the hair (which is what I think it is) was actually folded over inside of her. She’s obviously getting sick of me groping her, and for now she’s just resting, probably because she was straining for most of the night. There’s also some food in her cage and plenty of water if she wants it, but so far she looks like she’s doing alright and is mainly just tired. If she hasn’t eaten anything by this afternoon I’ll attempt to give her some egg yolk through an eye dropper just so she has something in her system. It also looks like she has been defecating, so her intestines are apparently clear now.

Thanks to everyone who offered advice! It looks like we’re out of the woods, but I’ll still keep an eye on her to be sure.
08/12/08  11:25am


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