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Megacolon disease? #1055758
01/15/11 09:30 PM
01/15/11 09:30 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Tobi Offline OP
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Tobi  Offline OP
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
I don't know whether this should be in Health & Hygiene or anatomy since it's about the colon, but since it's a disease I will put it here... sorry if it's wrong!
Anyways, as some of you may remember, ever since I got my twin boys Onni and Veli, Veli has had trouble pooing (I.E: Hissing whenever he poos as well as clumps of multiple poos coming out at once and difficulty getting them out.) And after testing all of his poos and pee we decided to try other options.
We tried everything we could think of, increasing fiber, increasing greens, increasing water content, but when laxatives didn't even help, I decided to consult my vet yet again. She has been talking to some other vets who mentioned the disease megacolon. Which is apparently distention of the colon causing them to have trouble pushing things out. I felt this would explain a lot, the only problem is, they were just suggesting, and my vet has yet to see any proof that this disease has actually been found in gliders. So, right now she is looking for people who have actually seen this in gliders, found it in necropsy, etc., before she decides what we should do. Right now I am just upping fibrous greens until we can decide a course of action. If we cannot find beneficial proof, we will try an animal grade stool softener. But doing that just scares me because,
1. His stool is already as soft as normal.
and
2. I feel that would just be taking care of the symptoms not the problem.
So even if we couldn't find proof I am pretty sure I would get some imaging done of my poor little babies insides. Even though he is a high-stress glider. frown

ANYWHO, The main reason I am making this topic is to ask you guys for some help. Have you ever come across gliders, or heard of gliders who may have had this disease? Does anyone have any necropsy results with megacolon? I also wanted to raise the thought of the possibility.
I am trying my best for my baby. frown


Ivy
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Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: Tobi] #1055762
01/15/11 09:41 PM
01/15/11 09:41 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 20,093
North Central Ohio
GliderNursery Offline
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GliderNursery  Offline
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 20,093
North Central Ohio
You should contact Val (Jackie_Chans_Mom), she works with necropsies on sugar gliders and would likely be your best source of information.


Shelly

Don't sacrifice quality information for convenient information.


Glider Nursery

Sugar Glider Foundation


Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: GliderNursery] #1055765
01/15/11 09:48 PM
01/15/11 09:48 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Tobi Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Tobi  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Originally Posted By: GliderNursery
You should contact Val (Jackie_Chans_Mom), she works with necropsies on sugar gliders and would likely be your best source of information.

Would the best way of contact be via private message?
Also thank you for the referral. thanks


Ivy
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Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: Tobi] #1055767
01/15/11 09:53 PM
01/15/11 09:53 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 20,093
North Central Ohio
GliderNursery Offline
Tech Admn
GliderNursery  Offline
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North Central Ohio
That would probably be best.


Shelly

Don't sacrifice quality information for convenient information.


Glider Nursery

Sugar Glider Foundation


Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: GliderNursery] #1055769
01/15/11 09:54 PM
01/15/11 09:54 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Tobi Offline OP
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Tobi  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Okay, I will do that. smile Thanks again.
And still if anyone else has any info it would be greatly appreciated.


Ivy
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Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: Tobi] #1055793
01/15/11 10:34 PM
01/15/11 10:34 PM
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742
in my happy place
S
sugarlope Offline
Glideritis Anonymous
sugarlope  Offline
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S

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,742
in my happy place
I have heard this term here a couple of times this past year. Here is thread I could find mentioning it. I know someone else wondered about the diagnosis as well, but I haven't found it yet.

http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/924285/Searchpage/1/Main/92126/Words/%22mega+colon%22/Search/true/Shy_is_gone#Post924285

You may want to find out who ShyRascal's vet is for your vet to consult with. I'm sorry I don't know more.


~Gretchen

If we never loved, then maybe we would never feel pain. Love anyway. It's worth it.
Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: sugarlope] #1055795
01/15/11 10:38 PM
01/15/11 10:38 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Tobi Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Tobi  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Originally Posted By: sugarlope
I have heard this term here a couple of times this past year. Here is thread I could find mentioning it. I know someone else wondered about the diagnosis as well, but I haven't found it yet.

http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/924285/Searchpage/1/Main/92126/Words/%22mega+colon%22/Search/true/Shy_is_gone#Post924285

You may want to find out who ShyRascal's vet is for your vet to consult with. I'm sorry I don't know more.

No no! thank you VERY MUCH! I appreciate anything I can get and that's a lot! smile


Ivy
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Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: Tobi] #1055804
01/15/11 10:49 PM
01/15/11 10:49 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Tobi Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Tobi  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
I messaged her as well as Jackie_Chans_mom. smile


Ivy
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Rip :grey: Momo & Unnamed Twins...

Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: Tobi] #1055809
01/15/11 11:01 PM
01/15/11 11:01 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,224
North Fort Worth - TX
jacknsally Offline
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jacknsally  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,224
North Fort Worth - TX
Very interesting. My Melodie has always been a "grunter" when passing stool. If this megacolon diseas is the case, what are they suggesting if anything to make things "easier/normal".


Ñancy
~Always on my mind & in my heart Jack, Sally & Serenity~


Mobmilli's Boutique
Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: jacknsally] #1055816
01/15/11 11:07 PM
01/15/11 11:07 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Tobi Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Tobi  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Originally Posted By: jacknsally
Very interesting. My Melodie has always been a "grunter" when passing stool. If this megacolon diseas is the case, what are they suggesting if anything to make things "easier/normal".

Well she herself only mentioned the tests to see if they have it, so I looked up treatments in humans (I imagine it'd be similar) and found a few things,
"The treatment depends on the cause of megacolon. If megacolon is causes by Hirschprung's Disease, treatment usually involves removal of the part of the colon that does not work properly. Other treatments are focused on the cause. These treatments may involve reducing use of narcotics or increasing the intake or dietary fiber."

"The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Megacolon includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
Enema
Bowel habit changes
Avoid constipation
Treatment of any underlying cause of megacolon"
So I guess if it is found that they have it that the first course of action would be to find out why they have it and choose a way to deal with it from there.

Have you tried Fiber increase/Laxative/etc? At first it seemed like it was dietary so that's what we did... Does your glider have compacted stool? Like they are pushing out multiple little poos in one group?


Ivy
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Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: Tobi] #1055822
01/15/11 11:16 PM
01/15/11 11:16 PM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,224
North Fort Worth - TX
jacknsally Offline
Glider Addict
jacknsally  Offline
Glider Addict

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,224
North Fort Worth - TX
Originally Posted By: Tobi


Have you tried Fiber increase/Laxative/etc? At first it seemed like it was dietary so that's what we did... Does your glider have compacted stool? Like they are pushing out multiple little poos in one group?


I have tried glider stool softners & laxative ideas but they didn't change anything. I've seen the multiples a few times but I've also seen them a tad larger than others, but they have always been normal textured/moist. Melodie doesn't hiss, she makes a sound that sounds like a cross between a hiss/chirp - she has done this since I brought her home at 8wks and has always had clean & normal fecals. Never thought much in asking a vet why, just thought she was a grunter grin


Ñancy
~Always on my mind & in my heart Jack, Sally & Serenity~


Mobmilli's Boutique
Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: Tobi] #1055826
01/15/11 11:20 PM
01/15/11 11:20 PM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Tobi Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Tobi  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
That sounds very similar to my case! :C His noise is like a weird breathing grunting hiss and it takes a while for him to get it out. If you would like, I can let you know anything I find out! Via PM or any method of contact you'd like. I just always feel bad when I hear him making it because I think he's in pain. frown


Ivy
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Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: Tobi] #1055851
01/16/11 12:19 AM
01/16/11 12:19 AM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,182
Maine
IslandGliders Offline
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IslandGliders  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,182
Maine
I had a rat with megacolon. Unfortunately, it severely shortened her lifespan. frown

I have to be honest, though, in that this doesn't sound like megacolon as I experienced it. This little girl was unable to go to the bathroom on her own, and her abdomen was extremely distended. She also had general "failure to thrive." We finally had to euthanize her at 10 weeks of age; my vet felt that to keep her alive any longer was only slightly prolonging the inevitable.

How old is Veli? In rats, at least, adult-onset megacolon is quite rare. They are far more likely to be born with it (as my girl was) and show the symptoms around 4-5 weeks of age.

I know rats aren't the same as gliders, but I just thought I'd share my experience.

Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: sugarlope] #1055852
01/16/11 12:20 AM
01/16/11 12:20 AM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 708
Melbourne Australia
Marz Offline
Glider Guardian
Marz  Offline
Glider Guardian

Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 708
Melbourne Australia
Originally Posted By: sugarlope
I have heard this term here a couple of times this past year. Here is thread I could find mentioning it. I know someone else wondered about the diagnosis as well, but I haven't found it yet.

http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/924285/Searchpage/1/Main/92126/Words/%22mega+colon%22/Search/true/Shy_is_gone#Post924285

You may want to find out who ShyRascal's vet is for your vet to consult with. I'm sorry I don't know more.

I noticed on Shy's necropsy it said that the colon had backed up on itself and that sounds like Colonic Intussusception (basically the colon folding in on itself). This has been reported in roos and is quite a common finding in possums here in Australia.

Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: IslandGliders] #1055855
01/16/11 12:22 AM
01/16/11 12:22 AM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Tobi Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Tobi  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Originally Posted By: ParadiseOnCall
I had a rat with megacolon. Unfortunately, it severely shortened her lifespan. frown

I have to be honest, though, in that this doesn't sound like megacolon as I experienced it. This little girl was unable to go to the bathroom on her own, and her abdomen was extremely distended. She also had general "failure to thrive." We finally had to euthanize her at 10 weeks of age; my vet felt that to keep her alive any longer was only slightly prolonging the inevitable.

How old is Veli? In rats, at least, adult-onset megacolon is quite rare. They are far more likely to be born with it (as my girl was) and show the symptoms around 4-5 weeks of age.

I know rats aren't the same as gliders, but I just thought I'd share my experience.

My Veli is about 2 years old. (If I was not lied to when I bought him which I doubt.)
The thing is, I figured it would explain how hard he has to try to get the stool out despite it being soft, and why laxative and fiber would not help. frown


Ivy
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Re: Megacolon disease? [Re: Marz] #1055858
01/16/11 12:23 AM
01/16/11 12:23 AM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Tobi Offline OP
Glider Guardian
Tobi  Offline OP
Glider Guardian

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 682
Southern Oregon, United States
Originally Posted By: Marz
Originally Posted By: sugarlope
I have heard this term here a couple of times this past year. Here is thread I could find mentioning it. I know someone else wondered about the diagnosis as well, but I haven't found it yet.

http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/924285/Searchpage/1/Main/92126/Words/%22mega+colon%22/Search/true/Shy_is_gone#Post924285

You may want to find out who ShyRascal's vet is for your vet to consult with. I'm sorry I don't know more.

I noticed on Shy's necropsy it said that the colon had backed up on itself and that sounds like Colonic Intussusception (basically the colon folding in on itself). This has been reported in roos and is quite a common finding in possums here in Australia.

Should I mention this as well to my vet? frown
Also off topic but I can never get over your display picture. Its so cute.


Ivy
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