One of my rescues I've had for 2 years, Lyah, is very sick. Whatever it is is respiratory..not sure if she's sneezing or coughing (it's a very strange sound, but similar to Riker when his sinus was infected)and wet-sounding. Her nose is a dark red, but not blue that we can see. It doesn't seem like pneumonia yet, but could be. Hard to tell when the vet can't even handle her. No clicking in her breathing though, which is good.
Anyway, some of you know that she and her sister came to me in really bad shape. She has some severe psychological issues, and cannot be handled without going into seizure. It took us over a year before we could trim her nails without a seizure. The last time I gently scooted her off her pouch to weigh her, when we let her climb back in her pouch only a moment later, she had a seizure. She doesn't have them EXCEPT when she's handled.
She had her first dose of meds tonight, and it took her several minutes to recover from the subsequent seizure. This is one of those issues it's hard to know what to do-being sick can kill if left untreated, but treating can kill in her case from stress. I can't simply sit and watch her drown in her own fluids if I can help it, tho, so we're treating-and watching her and worrying like crazy.
Just keep her in your thoughts. She is 4 years old, beautiful, and a chub (she eats as a comfort thing, still convinced after all this time she'll starve to death if she doesn't stuff down as much as she can. She came to me at about 76 grams, and finally stabilized at about 190-her sister is 93 grams). Just keep her in your thoughts and hope we don't kill her trying to save her. I'll try and get a current pic of her soon.
Last edited by Xfilefan; 10/03/0605:05 AM.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Jen, you know my prayers are with you and your baby girl. Would it be possible to inject mealworms with the meds and give them to her that way, or to mix it in with some of her food? Then you wouldn't have to handle her. I know that with Myst being in the cage might make that harder, but it might be an option that would be less stressful for her.
Chris Illusion, Malcom, Isabell, Annabelle, Zach, Isis, Aly & Indy AND Miss Emmy & Miss Chloe kitties
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Re: Pray for Lyah
[Re: glidrz5]
#152259 10/03/0605:41 AM10/03/0605:41 AM
Might try that tomorrow-it's got to get in her, and I didn't even think of it. Poor girl, I'm so worried about her. I actually have syringes with needles, too-so that IS an option. Thanks for the suggestion, Chris-it was just a really hard day, and I guess I'm just not thinking at this point.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Hibiscus flowers were listed as safe for gliders and they are extremely beneficial for respiratory problems. They are sold dried as Jamaica in Hispanic markets and some grocery stores. I am told this means hibiscus in spanish. Hibiscus tea has nice fruity,citrusy flavor and is therapuetic when brewed very strong. Perhaps you could find the dried flowers at a health food store being sold as hibiscus tea. She could eat the flowers without being handled and it soothes the throat and helps resolve congestion and so forth. It is also high in vit C and bioflavanoids. Chamomile{sic} flowers are also listed as safe and have similar properties and are somewhat more available.
When Lyah recovers I have some suggestions for interventions which might help her overcome her panic reactions. I would guess she suffered some level of brain damage, perhaps from elevated ketones or hypoglycemia secondary to starvation, and the adrenalin surge intiated by contact triggers seizure activity.
of course you have to treat her illness and medicate her. I am sure that she feels your love and concern for her and finds it comforting, even if she cannot tolerate being handled at this time. The seizure activity is probably a physical response only and not an emotional intolerance. I am sure she wants to come be snuggled, but her body reflexes dictate otherwise.
The point is she knows she is loved.
Keep us posted on her progress.
Re: Pray for Lyah
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#152272 10/03/0608:01 AM10/03/0608:01 AM
~~HUGS~~~~ My prayers are with you all as you are going through this ordeal! Your little girl sounds like a fighter. Im sure you will do whatever you have to make her feel better!!Its a very sticky situation but we all know you are doing all you can for her ~~
Re: Pray for Lyah
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#152313 10/03/0611:50 AM10/03/0611:50 AM
Is there some way you can sedate her to get her to a vet? Is there a vet in your area that might be willing to do a housecall to moniter the administration of sedatives in a treat or something, and treat her at home while she is asleep so you don't have to move her and run the risk of her waking up in a strange place while being handled on the way home? Surely there is a vet who loves gliders and appreciates your rescue efforts enough to accomodate your special situation. That must be so hard. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Re: Pray for Lyah
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#152324 10/03/0612:30 PM10/03/0612:30 PM
I am so sorry to hear about Lyah. We are sending you and prayers that she will recover without any other problems. Please keep us posted on her status.
Re: Pray for Lyah
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#152398 10/03/0602:46 PM10/03/0602:46 PM
Jen, I'm so sorry Lyah is going through this. She has had a part of my heart for a long time now and I know she (like all your gliders) have all your's. She knows this.
I wonder if an anti seizure med (like depakote) given to her during the illness would help control the seizures. I wouldn't want to do any drug like that long term (possible liver damage) but there might be something that will help in the short term so that she can get better.
Please, if there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.
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Re: Pray for Lyah
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#152444 10/03/0604:11 PM10/03/0604:11 PM
Well, I won't be able to inject mealies with this stuff-the grains from the cherry 'flavor' are too big for the syringes I have. Unless I can find a fairly large bore needle.
BUT-I got her meds down her this AM WITHOUT a Seizure!!
Failing the mealie thing, I mixed a drop of honey into the meds to thicken them..with the intent they stick in her mouth so I could let go quicker, and I didn't remove her from the pouch she and Myst share. Grab head, shove meds in, release, then dump load of mealies in lap. She worked her tongue in the meds for a sec, then went after the mealworms, and didn't seize!
If we can keep her from stressing too much, we might have a shot at completing the meds-without additional meds. Because of her weight, vet doesn't want to sedate-we aren't sure about the condition of her heart. Here's a couple of pics-in the first we'd had her for 3 or 4 days...the second was about 9 months or so ago and 30 grams lighter than now.
Also, we've noticed a slight swelling on the right side of her face-barely noticeable, but definitely there. Hopefully the meds will take care of that if something is going on in there as well.
Last edited by Xfilefan; 10/03/0604:30 PM.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Tom, thanks-if she does it more, I'll ask the vet about it. Gonna try and find a larger bore needle to give the worms a chance, and we'll go from there. *making notation in book re: valium/phenobarbitol*
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
One of my human children was allergic to the liquid they use to make childrens medications, so whenever he needed meds we had to use capsules and empty the contents and somehow get it down him. I can tell you from experience that antibiotics taste BAD. Sometimes honey works, but we found that organic raspberry pancake syrup was great at masking the taste and the smell of the medication. I found it at a health food store. Meds in honey left a bitter aftertaste and he caught on to us after a few times. The raspberry syrup left no aftertaste. It has to be real raspberry syrup, not raspberry flavor syrup to have enough taste and aroma to mask the meds.
It really looks like you are on the right track with her. How lucky she is to have you for a mom.
Re: Pray for Lyah
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#152535 10/03/0606:31 PM10/03/0606:31 PM
We have had a few on Prozac and that helped them calm down also. One glider was very very stressed when handled and the other was a self mutilator. It was a small dose and it didn't make them too sleepy but enough to help control the anxiety. Please keep us updated, I know how much you love your babies! Angie
Re: Pray for Lyah
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#152810 10/04/0610:36 AM10/04/0610:36 AM
oh, i am sooo sorry. i know how terrifying it is to have your baby seize and there is nothing you can do, and illness is something most of us have delat with and can sympathize. i do believe your love will pull her through. i will add her name to my candle lighting tonight.
Re: Pray for Lyah
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#152942 10/04/0603:46 PM10/04/0603:46 PM
Thanks guys. Her vet isn't in today, we'll call Dr. Emch tonight (and hope he's in tonight). She still has the "cough" but it's not getting worse, at least. But now she eats and is drooling bloody saliva when she chews on/off-although we couldn't see anything with her teeth, something is obviously there, and that fits with whatever the minor swelling in her face is *sigh*. I don't think we can put her under for an exam, but maybe an oral med to take the edge off (and I'll ask about the valium (which I have) and phenobarbitol (which I don't)).
Tom, sending PM.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
dont be disheartened. It actually could be an improvement. IF she has an abcess that is being resolved by the antibiotic treatment it could have ruptured and be draining into her mouth. If so, the swelling will start to go down and she will feel better and perk up a bit.
Yes, I am an optimist.
when the sky is a bright canary yellow etc etc etc
the other thought is that she seized and bit her tongue or cheek. Can you get her to stick out her tongue to lick something and get a look in there?
I didnt say it was a good thought, just a thought.
am keeping you in my prayers
Re: Pray for Lyah
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#152992 10/04/0605:27 PM10/04/0605:27 PM
Actually, I've managed to avoid stressing her into a seizure past that first night (the first time it happened)...and had been holding the pouch both times now-no seizure this time (the first time it was mixed with white yogurt drop and we weren't positive it WAS blood-and it was BEFORE the seizure. I know I didn't catch her tongue between her teeth and the syringe (the first time I wondered if she might have got her tongue, but we looked, and couldn't find the source of the blood, this time either-I'm thinking upper jaw-the one place I can't get a good look at. It also doesn't seem to be floating in her mouth at all. You can't avoid touching the teeth to get the syringe in, and I think that's what triggered this, either that or the food after-though the last 2 days there was no sign of it. She started eating the post meds mealie when the bloody drool started dripping onto her chest-but this time the saliva was clear, and its definitely blood. What fits best is between the gums (or from the upper side/back teeth)and the cheek on the upper jaw with what I've seen. Suggestions and ideas are always welcome, tho-thanks!
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Lyah is getting worse very quickly. I'll be watching her all night until her vet appt. Her dinner tonight will be BML, yogurt, and babyfood-nothing she has to chew. 8 hours ago you could barely see it-now there is NO doubt what is wrong. There isn't a vet tonight that can handle this (urine, fecals, sub-q, yes, but not this)-she has an appt. at 9 AM. She can use your good thoughts. These pics were taken about 8:10 this evening, Front and Top views:
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
She definitely LOOKS worse. However, she may not BE worse. Again, I am no expert on suggies, but in other animals and humans, sometimes when an abcess starts draining (possiblly what is happening when she bleeds while eating) and then the rupture heals over (can happen very quickly in mucous membrane - inside of mouth) The swelling can be VERY dramatic and sudden.
An abcess is a pocket of infection trapped in the tissues. As the body rushes immune factors (white blood cells) to the area there is swelling and inflamation. Dead bacteria and immune factors accumulate and have no where to go. This is pus and when the vet or doctor lances a boil, he makes a tiny opening in this pus pocket to allow the pus to drain out. When antibiotics are given, this cycle of pus formation and swelling is accellerated. This is good. It means the bacteria are being killed. There is just no where for the accumulated debris to go.
So it may be that she looks worse, but is really better because her body is fighting the infection and has localized it in this area. In other words, It is a healing process. Be prepared that it may rupture on its own before you get to the vet and drain some really yucky, foul smelling stuff. If it does it is a good thing because much of her discomfort is caused by the pressure from the swelling and that will be relieved if it ruptures.
You are in our prayers.
Re: Pray for Lyah
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#153174 10/04/0611:58 PM10/04/0611:58 PM