Urgent Care :: Mating Gone Wrong

[Jeremiah]

My male RES decided that it was a good day to mount his roommate (female). This is the result:

Anyway, she got a little freaked out and swam around really fast; he didn't really expect that, and was dragged along in the manner depicted above (he couldn't withdraw, for some reason). It must have hurt, because his mouth was open; they eventually separated, and I thought he had prolapsed (his penis was quite exposed). He swam around like that for a few minutes, but from what I see it is now retracted (I'm a little scared to pull him out and check). Is there anything that I should be watching out for (in either turtle)? Should I take him out of the water or use the honey/sugar method as a preventative measure?

Thanks!
P.S.: I would have posted this in the regular forum due to the common nature of fanning, but I'm concerned about his inability to remove his penis from her even after they both kicked at it (and she swam like crazy). I am also concerned about the fact that he was just kind of floating listlessly behind her (as opposed to grasping her with his front legs). Do these phenomena indicate any more serious problem(s)?

[steve]

Separation will be necessary so you can provide a cleaner environment and to protect it from being bitten when vulnerable. The situation doesn't strike me as unusual phenomena but rather an unreceptive partner.

[Jeremiah]

Thank you for the relieving information! To clarify, do you mean permanent separation (which is what I'm assuming) or a temporary "quarantine time"?

[steve]

I think permanent separation is necessary unless you have a very lage pond. In a confined area, it can be bad for both turtles. Has he returned to normal?

[Jeremiah]

Yes, he retracted it last night and is now swimming around normally! Hopefully, I'll get enough funds together to dig them an outdoor pond this summer.

[steve]

Definitely a good sign.

[Jeremiah]

...And here I was, thinking that it was over. Several days (maybe even a week) after "The Incident" (they're separated, until I can get them into a big summer pond), his tail got a little swollen. I didn't think much of it until this week, as he began to continually keep it tucked to the side--even when swimming. On the few occasions when he does let his tail out, it's still swollen and awkwardly oriented (i.e., it's like the muscle is accustomed to being put to the side and maintains a curved shape). Could this be a long-term repercussion of what happened with the female, or could it be something new?

Also, some potentially helpful information: I just touched the side of the tail facing me (when it was tucked in), and I felt something firm under the skin. Is it just the contracted muscle, or could he be inflamed?

[steve]

Hard to say definitively if it's inflamed since it folds out. Is there any discoloration and is he defecating normally?

[Jeremiah]

It's not discolored, and the place I checked last night seems softer/more relaxed. He has a good appetite, but his feces are shorter than they were before (reduced by about half the length).