The four-year-old spur-thighed tortoise is suffering from a ‘prolapse of the cloaca’ which requires immediate treatment.
The condition occurs when the penis, which protrudes when a tortoise is aroused, remains exposed for an extended period of time.
Hard-up: Cedric the 4 year old tortoise with a
prolapsed penis. A campaign has been launched to raise £150 ($250) to
save Cedric who needs an operation for his swollen penis
Owner Miles Jelfs only realised Cedric had the painful problem after adopting him from a friend last week.
But he says he can't afford the £150 ($250) operation - which could involve a minor tuck or complete amputation - and is hoping well-wishers will donate to help him.
Mr Jelfs, 27, who is a venue promoter, said: ‘I thought I was doing a favour by taking Cedric in from a friend who wasn't really able to look after him.
Stiff demand: The spur-thighed tortoise is
suffering from a ¿prolapse of the cloaca¿ which requires immediate
treatment. The condition is caused when the penis, which sticks out when
a tortoise is aroused, remains protruded for an extended period of time
Shelling out: Mr Jelfs, 27, of Bristol, only
adopted poor Cedric this week and says he simply can't afford the vital
op, which could involve a minor tuck or a complete amputation
WHAT CAUSES A PROLAPSED PENIS IN TORTOISES?
A prolapsed penis of is a fairly common condition in tortoises and can result from trauma from mating injuries.
The condition appears as a large swelling of moist tissue on the rear of the tortoise which can cause the creature to drag his penis along as he walks.
It can also be the result of damage to neurons in the brain controlling these organs which prevents them from retracting back.
Some cases may be caused by excessive libido where randy males excessively and repeatedly stick out their penis causing it to become engorged and difficult for them to retract.
The condition appears as a large swelling of moist tissue on the rear of the tortoise which can cause the creature to drag his penis along as he walks.
It can also be the result of damage to neurons in the brain controlling these organs which prevents them from retracting back.
Some cases may be caused by excessive libido where randy males excessively and repeatedly stick out their penis causing it to become engorged and difficult for them to retract.
‘I took him straight to the vets and they said he needed this operation pretty quickly.
‘Unfortunately I am not able to front the cost for this treatment alone and as this is my first pet.
‘It will be causing him a lot of pain and you can tell when he walks that it is not very comfortable for him, poor little guy.
A prolapse of the cloaca of is a fairly common condition in tortoises and can result from trauma from mating injuries.
The condition appears as a large swelling of moist tissue on the rear of the tortoise which can cause the creature to drag his penis along as he walks.
It can also be the result of damage to neurons in the brain controlling these organs which prevents them from retracting.
Some cases may be caused by excessive libido where randy males excessively and repeatedly stick out their penis causing it to become engorged and difficult for them to retract.
Shell-shocked: A prolapse of the cloaca of is a
fairly common condition in tortoises and can result from trauma from
mating injuries
The condition appears as a large swelling of
moist tissue on the rear of the tortoise which can cause the creature to
drag his penis along as he walks
Male spur-thighed tortoises get aroused immediately after waking from hibernation.
The males follow the females with, encircling them, biting them in the limbs and trying to mount them.
In captivity, multiple males spur-thighed tortoises in a pen can sometimes cause one to take a dominant role and try to mate with the other males in the pen.
‘Besides the obvious issue of the prolapse, Cedric appears to be in very good health.
‘It would be a shame to see him suffer as a result of this, when at just four years old, he could be looking at another 90 plus years of life, provided he can get the right treatment.’
To help Cedric, click here.
Animal love: In captivity, multiple males
spur-thighed tortoises in a pen can sometimes cause one to take a
dominant role and try to mate with the other males in the pen
Hamburger.
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