Emergency · All species
Prolapse
Any tissue protruding from the vent, cloaca, or rectum needs veterinary care the same day — it can dry out and die quickly.
Immediate safe actions
- Keep the tissue moist with clean, lukewarm water or a sterile saline-soaked gauze.
- Move the animal to a clean, smooth enclosure (damp paper towels) to prevent injury.
- Prevent the animal or cagemates from picking at the tissue.
- Call an exotic vet immediately.
What NOT to do
- Do not attempt to push the tissue back in.
- Do not apply sugar, honey, or creams unless directed by a vet.
- Do not cut or tie off tissue.
Information to gather for the vet
- When it was noticed
- Color and size of tissue
- Recent straining, diarrhea, egg-laying
Red flags
- Dark red, purple, or black tissue
- Tissue drying out
- Lethargy
Veterinary escalation
- All prolapses = emergency or same-day exotic vet.
General educational information only. Species differ greatly — always confirm with a licensed veterinarian or animal poison service.