Sugar Glider Community Calendar

Please click here to see larger view
Articles
More coming soon!!
Today's Birthdays
B1u3sky, StellaLuna
Member Spotlight
Feather
Feather
Wisconsin
Posts: 13,979
Joined: January 2008
Show All Member Profiles 
Last 10 Posts
Gliders of the Round Table 10
by Feather. 03/27/24 07:04 PM
Logging in Problem
by Feather. 03/26/24 06:07 PM
Cloaca swollen?
by Hutch. 03/16/24 11:51 PM
Wheels, Toys, Toy supplies, pouches and more.
by Ladymagyver. 03/07/24 11:16 PM
Gliders of the Round Table 9
by Hutch. 03/07/24 10:52 PM
Stewie:" It's MY Mouse!"
by Hutch. 03/04/24 12:12 AM
2024 Sugar Glider Calendar and Cafe Press Store
by theresaw. 02/29/24 08:55 PM
Google+

Facebook
Join Us On Facebook
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Chloe & Bo Update #136978
08/24/06 07:29 PM
08/24/06 07:29 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
Charlie H Offline OP
Glider Slave
Charlie H  Offline OP
Glider Slave

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
Today we had three males neutered. In the process we carried Chloe and Bo along. After examining both Bo and Chloe the vet and I were in agreement on what was the present ongoing problem. I will attempt to explain their problem in basic language so that everyone can understand.

The cloaca is a sort of a collection gland for several different functions. Sort of a central gathering point for urine and feces before it is expelled from the gliders body. The two anal glands are also connected to the cloaca. The reproduction system is also connected with the cloaca. With so many activities taking place in such a small area on an animal the size of a sugar glider it makes examination or treatment almost impossible. And once a glider has mutilated and done extensive damage to the area we are in a position of almost helplessness. What we think has happened to these two gliders is that they chewed a hole through the cloaca. Instead of allowing urine and feces to be expelled through the rectum it takes the path of least resistance. The urine and feces travels from the cloaca through the newly chewed opening and collects beneath the skin. This develops an almost blister appearing area. The area can be expressed and force the waste back into the cloaca and out the rectum. This is a very risky thing to do and a person can easily kill a glider attempting to do this.

We discussed trying to find the tear in the wall of the cloaca and putting a stitch in it. This would have forced the waste to be excreted through the rectum. But due to the small size and the complexity of the area we were unable to probe and find the tear. Even if we were able to distinguish the damaged area it is not known if we would be able to repair it because of the proximity of all the other openings into the cloaca.

So as it stands we will have to express both gliders daily or as necessary to keep them comfortable.

We would like to emphasize once again how important it is to get an ecollar on your glider asap when it starts to mutilate. If the cause of the mutilation can be caught early and treated before extensive damage is done the glider can be saved. We all hate the thought of using an e collar on our gliders but this quiet often the only logical option.
Charlie H

Last edited by Charlie H; 08/24/06 07:31 PM.

Rescue & Rehabilation
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/glidertree/
[]glidertree@toast.net[/]
Re: Chloe & Bo Update [Re: ] #136979
08/24/06 08:26 PM
08/24/06 08:26 PM
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,297
Quincy, IL
glidrz5 Offline
Serious Glideritis
glidrz5  Offline
Serious Glideritis

Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,297
Quincy, IL
Charlie, Thank you for the update and the "layman's" explanation on what is going on with these guys.


Chris
Illusion, Malcom, Isabell, Annabelle, Zach, Isis, Aly & Indy
AND Miss Emmy & Miss Chloe kitties

:rbridge: My Angels: You are always in my heart.

You've flown to the rainbow
and wait there for me
Someday I will join you
together to be


Re: Chloe & Bo Update [Re: ] #136980
08/24/06 09:26 PM
08/24/06 09:26 PM

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A



Yes thank you for an update on them.

Re: Chloe & Bo Update [Re: ] #136981
08/25/06 02:53 PM
08/25/06 02:53 PM

A
Anonymous
Unregistered
Anonymous
Unregistered
A



Thank you for the update and we wish you the best of luck with them!

Re: Chloe & Bo Update [Re: ] #136982
08/25/06 02:59 PM
08/25/06 02:59 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,899
Jacksonville, FL
Xfilefan Offline
Serious Glideritis
Xfilefan  Offline
Serious Glideritis

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,899
Jacksonville, FL
Charlie..it sounds like the anal gland abscesses we're dealing with with Chronos and Binx. Both had long term UTI's (no obvious symptoms in Binx's case) when we got them. We and are vet are speculating a long term UTI may lead to these. We also have to express the pus and fecal matter as it heals (because they heal from the inside out and have to be kept cleaned out in order for that to take place)..along with long term meds. Surgery is still possible if all else fails, but my vet is confident she can do it with no or minimal damage to the cloaca if it comes to that. I think it'd be interesting for us to compare notes on this one.

In any case...thanks for the update, and I hope yours continue to improve-I know what a job it is with this kind of condition and it's location. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />


Jen/Colin :bb: Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed :wfb: Sinbad, :wfb: Gabby, :grey: Baby, and :grey: Alley
Re: Chloe & Bo Update [Re: ] #136983
08/25/06 05:54 PM
08/25/06 05:54 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
Charlie H Offline OP
Glider Slave
Charlie H  Offline OP
Glider Slave

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
At this time the anal glands are not a problem. But in the past I did have to express Bo's. This was when he was in the early stages of his mutilation. He was unable to pass solid stool so that the glands would express themselves. Because of the situation with the cloaca and the inability for either of these gliders to expel waste properly we monitor the anal glands and express them if necessary.

The main problem is that the muscle surrounding the rectum was damaged. When it healed it partially closed off the rectum and the gliders are unable to push feces through the rectum. Since the gliders opened another opening for the feces to pass it follows the path of least resistance. This results in a build up under the skin that has to be expressed back into the cloaca and out the rectum.

Hope I haven't confused you with my explanation. We are watching the anal glands to be sure the fluid stays clear and there is no swelling. Let me know if your vet is successful. I may have my vet contact her.

We cannot find a decent diagram or picture showing a dissected sugar glider cloaca.
Charlie H


Rescue & Rehabilation
http://www.angelfire.com/tx/glidertree/
[]glidertree@toast.net[/]
Re: Chloe & Bo Update [Re: ] #136984
08/25/06 08:22 PM
08/25/06 08:22 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,899
Jacksonville, FL
Xfilefan Offline
Serious Glideritis
Xfilefan  Offline
Serious Glideritis

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,899
Jacksonville, FL
Charlie, my vet states she's operated there before with success, and has given me permission to give her number. She was the exotics vet for the Hogle Zoo in SLC for a number of years. If you'd like to have your vet get in touch with her, it's:

Dr. Laurel Harris
Foothill Animal Clinic
2675 E Parley's Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84109
(801) 485-4736

Edit: sorry-had a typo in the phone number <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I know Chronos' was caused by an injury from another glider there that abscessed. She may be able to offer some insights, anyway.

Last edited by Xfilefan; 08/25/06 10:48 PM.

Jen/Colin :bb: Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed :wfb: Sinbad, :wfb: Gabby, :grey: Baby, and :grey: Alley

Moderated by  Feather, KarenE, Ladymagyver 

Sugar Glider Help Page



Please click above to see how you can help!!

Moon
CURRENT MOON
Who's Online Now
0 registered members (), 378 guests, and 88 spiders.
Key: , , Owner, Admin
Newest Members
Mellefrl, klowvrrr, gracefulguardian, KiyokoTheDoll, Hazelneko
7324 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums132
Topics10,374
Posts159,160
posts in the last 24hrs0
Members7,324
Most Online2,693
Jan 2nd, 2020
Last 10 New Topics
Logging in Problem
by Anonymous. 03/24/24 11:43 AM
Gliders of the Round Table 10
by Hutch. 03/07/24 10:50 PM
Cloaca swollen?
by Mellefrl. 03/04/24 02:39 PM
2024 Sugar Glider Calendar and Cafe Press Store
by theresaw. 08/15/23 02:37 PM
Stewie:" It's MY Mouse!"
by Ladymagyver. 05/25/21 09:57 AM
Gliders of the Round Table 9
by Hutch. 02/12/19 11:35 PM
Popular Topics(Views)
849,600 TEXAS
679,086 OHIO
487,178 OKLAHOMA
432,185 UTAH
321,703 NORTH CAROLINA
Supported Browser
This site was tested and is best viewed in Google Chrome & Mozilla FireFox



Firefox 3

Download your copy today!!!
Home Forums Links Sitemap Vets Breeders Sounds Contact Us Names Rules & Policies

GliderCENTRAL
©1998-2024
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software
(Release build 20180918)
Page Time: 0.045s Queries: 14 (0.023s) Memory: 1.2907 MB (Peak: 1.4531 MB) Zlib enabled. Server Time: 2024-03-28 22:35:46 UTC