Aflatoxin is a good thought. It was brought up early in the first post, but seemed less likely given the complete absence of signs in his cage mate, and that antibiotics seemed to help. Perhaps the perception that antibiotics helped was overstated, as no objective measure of "improved" was noted.

Thanks for everyone's good wishes. I didn't think Ozzy would live through the night. He was refusing liquids, food, just wanted to gaze at us, didn't sleep, crawled instead of walking. He tried to separate (hide in the tube in the bottom of the cage) from his brother, but his brother would have nothing of it.

At around midnight I offered him pieces of an extremely ripe cherry, which he ate -- Yea! Soon he took guava nectar. Later, I offered him a piece of the inside of a dried fig, he grabbed it and chowed down. Started drinking regularly too. I got up every hour and a half during the night -- figs and guava nectar was all he wanted. By morning, he got up by himself to say hello.

The vet visit -- urine bilirubin through the roof. Protein in his urine and RBC levels rising. Not as many red blood cells were microscopically visible as she expected -- she thinks the cells were probably breaking down before they reached the urine. No tenderness with abdominal palpatation.

He is off the Clavamox (that easily could have been making him sicker). But the Pet-Tinnic (iron and B vitamins) was increased to twice a day. vet said that the reason his jaundice was so florescent was probably due to anemia -- without having pink skin underneath the yellow became much more pronounced.

She suspects that he has a hematologic problem -- a problem of either the blood or bone marrow, probably a blood-borne parasite or bacteria or possibly cancer. Right now we'll wait and see. She doesn't feel comfortable drawing blood right now because of the anemia -- and the fact it will be hard to get enough blood to run complete panels. (Interesting fact, 7% of a glider's weight is approx. how many mL (cc?) of blood the glider has. It is safe to draw approx 7% of the blood volume without compromising a glider's health.) Her lab must have at least 0.4 mL to run blood panels. She is going to contact a bacteriologist to see if she were to provide several drops (by cutting his nail), if they could find anything. As she said, she has theories, but can't prove any of them without risking Ozzy's health further.

Re: aflatoxins -- two vets have ruled it out, said his symptoms alltogether "weren't right" for it.
Re: improvement after antibiotics -- when he was on amoxicillin only, the visible blood (no urinalysis done) and the jaundice cleared up. When on Baytril the blood (including blood in urinalysis)cleared up, but not the jaundice. Blood in urine (urinalysis) returned six days after ending Baytril. Florescent jaundice began after 2 doses of Clavamox.
Curiosity question: I know figs are very high in calcium (thanks Pockets) -- does he just like figs, or is there something else if figs he needed for recovery?

By no means is he out of the woods. But he is stable for the moment. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers.

Lynn

Keep up the good work Lynn. This has me puzzled along with all the others. I know how helpless it makes you feel when you want to help them and do not know what to do. There are so many possibalities that it becomes very frustrating. We just have to keep trying to find an answer and hoping for the best.
Charlie H

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> Thats all I can offer to you and Zack but it is so very heartfelt <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

omg - I can't believe I missed reading a/b poor little Ozzy!
I'm amazed at the steps you're taking to ensure his health as much as possible... yay for you - working at a vet's has shown me how heartless some people are towards their pets <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/upset.gif" alt="" />
my prayers and thoughts are w/ you and Ozzy; hoping for a full recovery!

try raisins high in iron. also fresh papaya is good. if he got a bacteria of some kind. i would advise the antibiotic shot i used . that i told u about earlier in a post. i dont know what diet he is on. but i suggest bml even if u have to force it down. 3ccs 3 times daily. and give him fresh watermelon its good for the kidneys and stoneyfield farms yogurt which is organic to resore the flora the meds destroy.

If there is a possiblity of it being cancer...isnt that why they put Lord Darcy on the Ensure in the first place?

Curiosity...have you spoken with Donna about this at all to see if any of the problems were similar to what she had with Darcy?
Just a thought. You are doing GREAT with Ozzy. If nothing else, he has to know how much you love him. I applaud ALL your efforts. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />

The vet wants to hold off on additional medications for a little bit, so for right now an antibiotic injection isn't an option. And, to be honest, right now we're deciding whether additional medication will be more stress to his system than he can handle.

He's getting organic yogurt, watermelon, papaya, had watermelon 2 days ago. He's on an iron supplement so I'm pretty careful about additional hi-iron food. Ozzy and Chip have been on a modified Suncoast diet since they were babes. Ozzy is still on his fig kick -- its funny, Chip isn't interested in them at all.

Lynn

No, I haven't talked with Donna about the cancer issues, what's her ID? I'd be interested in visiting with her.

Right now Ozzy is refusing Ensure (its what we used to put his meds in), but that will probably change. Believe me, we tried everything this weekend -- he just wouldn't eat or drink, lost 8 grams.

Lynn

i have darcys vets number 607 754 3933 can u try the bml diet its made a difference in my gliders. when ruby was sick i force fed bml 3 ccs 3 times daily maybe u can try it.

Donna name on here is saharanfox, I see that her vets # has already been listed. Which type of Ensure are you trying? Mine would have nothing to do with any of it at first except the Wild Berry High Protein, once they got used to that one, they will drink any of them now. And they are doing wonderful on it also.

I am hoping that between you speaking with Donna and your vet speaking with her vet, maybe something can be discovered.
Prayers going out to both you and Ozzy.

Lynn, I'm not sure, but I think Donna (saharanfox) is only online on Saturdays right now. I know someone has her phone number. You might try at USGN for that. I think she visits there more than here.

The loss of weight is as much a concern to me as anything right now. How about obvious favorites? Corn, avacados, etc? Ensure would have been my choice, too, given his need for nourishment, but if he won't eat it, let's keep finding things he will eat. With Gladys, we tried so many things when she first got sick -- and had some success with different things on different days until she turned the corner. We also used high quality canned cat food, at Dr. Dierenfeld's suggestion. Ozzy's got to have some nutrients going into him.

With the loss of weight and the risk of dehydration (always a concern with that kind of weight loss), I would also suggest asking your vet about supplementing calcium (neocalglucon or other liquid calcium) and having supplies for sub-q injections if it becomes necessary. I know Gretchen can help with that, but dehydration can quickly become the worst enemy.

I know how hard this is on you and Zack, and it's clear Ozzy's really fighting as hard as he can. I really pray he turns the corner soon --

So sorry I wasn't on yesterday to see this post. I am so sorry that Ozzy isn't doing any better and getting worse. I just wanted to say that he is in my thoughts and prayers every day and night. My heart really goes out to you all. Please continue to keep us updated as we are all so worried about him. Please know we are all here for you and Ozzy.

Good day for Ozzy today (and for us too!) Zack woke him this afternoon to give gliderade and Ozzy had the energy to jump back to his cage. The extra nutrient issue was easily solved -- went to a drug store to find the different flavors of Ensure (he's been boycotting the generic strawberry) -- picked up Wild Berry and Vanilla. Tried the vanilla first and he liked it! That's good because I can get generic at Wally-World! He's still on a fig kick (FYI, the figs are health food store figs with no additives, etc). And the best news is that he's been perky and awake this evening and his nose is slightly pink in places! Past experience says this won't last, but we'll enjoy it while we can.

His vet is still trying to locate someone who can look at an extremely small volume of his blood for blood-borne bacteria and/or parasites and also someone who can run blood chemistry, etc on a smaller sample than she can do.

I plan to have his urine run again on Thursday. Will give an update then.

Lynn <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />

can u give him bml judies version with the jar of sweet potaoe in it if he dont eat eat the other way. my gliders didnt do well on the darcys diet. even if u have to force feed him. or try some boiled chicken breast.

Lynn, I'm so happy things have gone so well today <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

WOOOHOOOO!!! Such wonderful news and I am soooo glad he is liking the Ensure!! It pulled Darcy out of a bad state.

Have you been able to get in touch with Donna (Saharnfox) as of yet or her vet?
Mine just LOVE the ensure and they are totally striving on it!
I think other both the BML and the Darcy diet have been helpful to many gliders!

YOU GO OZZY BOY <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/agree.gif" alt="" />...Keep up the good work!! We are all pulling for ya buddy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" /> (and what a glider mommy you have <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />)

He's put on 7 ounces since Sunday. Still jaundiced but acting very normal.

Lynn

keep up the good work. maybe u can give him a little carrot apple juice its very healthy if u have a juice extractor. i give it to mine once a wk.

Any news on Ozzy?

Yeah how is little Ozzy doing? Is he improving still?

Ozzy has stabilized -- is acting normal, but is still jaundiced. He's back to being social and enjoying being with people. He is off the antibiotic, and is only taking Pet-Tinnic (iron + B vitamins) and milk thistle. Physically, Ozzy is a little "hunched over" so I know he isn't feeling wonderful and his energy isn't quite what it used to be.

He's no longer florescent yellow, but still obviously jaundiced. I'll try to get pictures taken today so we have a comparison. His weight is fluctuating between 78-89 grams (I've never weighed daily before so I don't know what is a normal daily fluctuation.) This is well within his normal weight range. No visible blood in his urine, although Monday's urinalysis showed blood (RBC) were still present.

I think he is having trouble with constipation right now. He had severe diarrhea last weekend when he was on the antibiotics. Now his stools are either really loose or he's acting like he needs to go but can't. I think I'm going to cut his iron supplement in half for a couple of days and see if that helps him to get consistent.

His vet is still looking for someone who can run blood work on an extremely small sample. Since he is a smaller glider anyway, he doesn't have much blood to give and the vet is also concerned about taxing his body more. Our plan was to have his urine checked this week, but he wouldn't be cooperative and pee on cue -- so we will try to get a urinalysis done on Monday.

That's all for now. We are definately out of crisis mode, but are continuing to deal with chronic issues. Until the cause of the jaundice and blood in the urine are identified and treated, he won't be out of the woods.

Thanks for checking in. It is so helpful to know people are there who care. As always, ideas and suggestions are appreciated. Ozzy is such a fighter, that I want to fight as hard as he is.

I'm hoping to arrange a "play date" for Chip. He is so bonded to Ozzy that he spends a lot of time in the pouch with Ozzy -- I suspect he needs to get out and socialize a bit -- so is there anyone in Missouri who would like us to come over and play?

That's all for now -- Lynn

Oh Lynn, I'd love to set a play date but we are 5 hours away from you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> I'm so glad to hear Ozzy is doing okay. I wish it were better but we will take what we can get, Right ? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />

Yesterday evening we realized Ozzy was getting "winded" easily. After moving around he had to stop and catch his breath. Needed to rest after drinking, etc. His jaundice also is brighter. Zack stayed up last night giving him extra fluids. He didn't seem quite as bad this morning, but its hard to tell.

As far as a play date goes -- Carrie & I decided that meeting half-way would work. That's somewhere in the St. Louis area -- so, who wants to play some weekend?

Lynn

if it were my glider i would take the drive to judies vet who is experienced with gliders i think its dr. bradley. she must know quite a lot about gliders and getting him well it would be worth the trip if your far away. its still within your state so it couldnt be more than a few hrs drive.

He has seen the vet you're referring to -- She wasn't able to draw enough blood for a blood panel, and wasn't able to get enough defination on the ultrasound to tell what was going on for sure. She wasn't sure what was causing Ozzy's problems and recommended exploratory surgery to try to find out what was wrong. Although surgery may have been the logical next step from her perspective, we decided not to have it done for a multitude of reasons.

I wouldn't mind seeing another vet -- but unless the vet has the capability to do blood work on an extremely small amount of blood, I'm not sure the trip would be worth it. Also, with Ozzy's liver so obviously compromised, I am hesitant to add any additional stress to the liver unless absolutely necessary (meaning, I don't want him to have to filter the anesthesia toxins that would be required to draw blood, and would prefer to keep him off as much medication as possible). I guess what I'm trying to say is that if the diagnostics and/or cure is going to seriously compromise his health, then why are we doing it?

Ozzy is a smaller glider (80g) and because of that he has less blood available to draw than a larger glider. When you had his compromised health into the equation that means even less is available. So, at this stage of the game, we are left with urine as a possible diagnostic tool.

My vet has the phone numbers for all the vets that were recommended by people on this board. I don't know if she is calling them for consultation, but I do know she is doing ongoing research. Unfortunately, even among the several thousand who are on this board, I've not been contacted by anyone who has dealt with the same issues that Ozzy has.

I pray a valid treatment option will be found for Ozzy -- either that or a miracle to cure him. But, realistically that may not happen. But, he's still fighting, so that means we are too.

Lynn

My thoughts and prayers are with your little Ozzy. I hope he gets the help he needs and continues to fight, he is already a super strong fighter.

Hang in there Ozzy....your loving mommy is doing everything she can do for you little guy.

I will continue to pray for him.

[:"magenta"]i am so sorry you, zack, and ozzy have to go thru this. it must be like a living nightmare. i sure hope you can get ozzy better soon! [/]

This evening, Ozzy gave up his fight. Around 6pm this evening we went to give him some gliderade. He was acting "different" and was seeming to have trouble controlling his claws (he was sticking to everything). He also was very agitated. I took him to his cage pouch to see if that would calm him. As he went to his food dish I could tell he was having a hard time using his legs. He ate a little, drank water. He then went to the bottom of the cage, munched on figs and ran a little in his wheel. Zack picked him up and Ozzy began to have what appeared to be seizures. He would bite Zack with each one then lay quietly for a while. We wrapped him in fleece and held him close, stroking him. In about ten minutes, and after several more seizures he was gone.

Lynn

I'm so sorry. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />