Prolapse of organs in a snail

Because of their distinctive behaviors and essential roles in the ecosystem of the tank, snails are fascinating creatures that frequently captivate aquarium enthusiasts. But, snails can have health problems that worry their owners, just like any other living thing.

The prolapse of organs, in which the snail’s internal body parts are visible outside of its shell, is one of these worrisome conditions. Although seeing something like this can be upsetting, knowing why it happens and how to react can help your snail greatly.

We’ll discuss what organ prolapse is, why it occurs, and what you can do to assist your snail in healing or to avoid the problem altogether in this post.

What is it

The radula, genitalia, and internal organs can be lost by snails. Diseases can affect anyone, and organ prolapse can generally affect any snail, though the precise cause of this phenomenon is still unknown. Internal organs prolapse through the pharynx most of the time, giving the appearance of a bluish bubble with liquid inside that dangles from the snail’s mouth. The radula, a plate used by snails to grind food, and possibly additional organs are contained within this bubble along with portions of the digestive tract. The snail may occasionally cope with its situation and pull its organs back. However, mollusks usually die.

Why does this happen

1. Improper nutrition – eating a large amount of protein food that does not have time to digest or sour fruits (citrus fruits, pineapple).
2. Poisoning from spoiled or low-quality products, or from mold or fungus on them.
3. Improper maintenance – too high humidity or irregular cleaning in the snail"s home, which provokes the development of mold, bacteria, fungi and infection.
4. Hypothermia during transportation or sudden temperature changes, as a result of which the pet"s muscle tone decreases.
5. Unsuitable soil containing fertilizers or other substances harmful to mollusks, which can cause poisoning. Also, keeping on sawdust can cause an inflammatory process and organ prolapse.
6. Old age or laying, as a result of which the pet has become weak, muscle weakness has appeared.
7. Parasites that the snail could become infected with from naturalists, from insufficiently processed soil from a summer cottage or moss, driftwood and branches from the forest.
8. Genetic predisposition.

So let’s focus on each specific instance and outline the steps involved.

Organ prolapse, which occurs when internal organs extend outside the body in snails, is a dangerous medical condition that is frequently brought on by trauma, contaminated water, or underlying medical issues. The survival of the snail depends on early detection of the symptoms and quick action because, if left untreated, this condition can be fatal.

Snail radula

Mollusks use a unique tool called a snail radula, which functions similarly to a grater, to scrape and grind food. It is found on the surface of the odontophore, a type of tongue, inside the pharynx. Additionally, in a snail, the condition known as prolapse of the radula occurs when the pharynx partially opens outward. The mollusk finds it difficult to eat when it has this illness, and if assistance is delayed, the pet may starve to death.

Hypothermia, intoxication, muscle weakness, and genetic predisposition are possible causes.

Treatment should be carried out as follows.

1. Prepare a solution from a glass of warm water and 1 tablet of Metronidazole (250 mg). Take boiled water, with a temperature slightly above room temperature. Pour the solution into a small bowl and place the sick snail there. Bathing should be carried out 10-15 minutes once a day for 7 days.
2. To feed the sick one, take a grain mixture, dilute it with water and coat the walls of the terrarium. This way, both the pet will be fed and the muscles of its oral apparatus will work.
3. During treatment, put the mollusk in a separate container. In the future, review the conditions of detention in order to exclude a possible cause of the disease. Use sphagnum moss as a filler for the snail, since it has antibacterial properties, mold does not grow on it and the mollusk will not be poisoned by it. Try to touch the pet less, it should recover on its own.
4. For prevention, offer your pet food in different forms: powder, puree and a large piece.

If you don’t assist the pet promptly, the snail may experience a more severe illness that results in the loss of internal organs from the throat and the creation of a squishy bubble after the mouth falls out. You shouldn’t unwind once the prolapse of the mouth has been treated because it has the potential to return and worsen over time if the prolapse occasionally comes out and then goes back in. And it’s unclear how to handle this.

Prolapse of internal organs from the throat

Since the nature of the object that has fallen out is unknown, it is likely that these are the digestive organs. Usually, the stomach comes out. Since the mollusk’s vital activity is disrupted, you must act swiftly and decisively in this situation. An infection or an inflammatory process could be the cause.

Use gloves or thoroughly wash your hands before handling the pet.

You must first reduce inflammation. To achieve this, dilute either chlorhexidine or miramistin in a 1:1 ratio with water. Transfer the contents into a bowl and set the ill snail inside. A 10-minute bath is about it.

The bubble must then be punctured with a liquid. This can be accomplished by heating the needle, letting it cool, and then puncturing the radula sac where the most liquid has accumulated. Lift the snail to improve the flow of liquid out of it. Bladder punctures won’t address the underlying cause, and prolapses might return in the absence of appropriate care. The puncture needs to be done again if liquid is seen inside the prolapsed organ once more.

Use a miramistin solution to treat the punctured organs following these manipulations. Use a new solution—not the one you bathed in—to accomplish this.

Subsequently, dissolve one 250 mg Metronidazole tablet in a glass of warm water and transfer to a bowl. Immerse the snail for ten to fifteen minutes.

Place the mollusk in a different container and cover it with a fresh, damp towel that has been boiled in water.

Spend an hour observing the animal. You will have to assist the snail if it does not retract its organs on its own. Either a wet finger or an ear stick dipped in water can be used for this.

Change the towel every three to four hours and leave the mollusk in a different container for another day, once the organs have returned to their original location. Optionally, use paper towels that can be thrown away, but keep them away from the snail. Use a snail to support the humidity within the container.

Continue taking metronidazole for treatment. A seven-day course of treatment is recommended. However, cut back on the dosage to 0.5 pills per glass.

Following the reduction, miramistin treatment for the organs is no longer necessary.

Feed the snail neutral products, such as pumpkin, zucchini, apple, and lettuce leaves, for approximately two weeks following the prolapse.

Maintaining the health of these interesting animals depends on our ability to recognize and treat prolapse in snails. Early detection of the symptoms, such as unusual swelling or behavior, will allow you to act swiftly to give them the care they require.

There are things you can do to aid a snail in recovering from prolapse, such as changing their diet, purifying their water, or consulting a veterinarian. Preventing this condition is largely dependent on maintaining a balanced environment and conducting routine monitoring.

You can guarantee that your aquarium snails live healthy lives free from the discomfort of organ prolapse by providing them with the proper information and care.

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