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Hind Leg Paralysis #23978
07/26/04 10:48 PM
07/26/04 10:48 PM

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My little 18 month old boy Skippy started showing signs of what I thought might be hind leg paralysis this weekend. As our vet is closed at the weekend, I got him to the vet today. The vet performed an X-Ray on Skippy, thinking that it might be a back injury, as Skippy has absolutely no feeling now in his hind legs or tail. He just drags his legs behind him. It is so sad. He can't climb at all, and will not eat unless hand fed. The X-Ray showed no back injury, and my vet has diagnosed the cause as being calcium deficiency.

I have always had Skippy and his pal Joey on Lisa from Suncoast's diet from her website, and have daily sprinkled Repcal phosphorous free calcium on their meals. The vet heartily approved of their diet, but we think it is possible that Skippy has been spitting out the food that contains the calcium powder.

I was looking for any advice or opinions on what my vet has said. He has prescribed a liquid calcium called Calccarb to be given to Skippy - one drop twice a day. This is very difficult to feed him, as one drop is such a small quantity and he won't take it voluntarily. He didn't want to give him a calcium shot as he is of the opinion that this does not get fully absorbed in an animal so small. He did not do any blood tests, which makes me wonder how he can be sure it is a calcium problem. He also wants me to switch to the Leadbeater's Mix, which he gave to me as a mixture of water, honey, egg, cereal and vitamin/mineral powder. I have to put him in a small cage on his own and try not to hand him unless feeding him. He also said that I must stop using Can O Worms and feed them live gut loaded mealworms, as they are much more nutritional. He is not eating well at all, and really doesn't even show interest in his favorite foods. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments on this.

Sorry to be so wordy, but I am so worried and would really love some help. Thanks.
Simone

Re: Hind Leg Paralysis [Re: ] #23979
07/26/04 11:14 PM
07/26/04 11:14 PM

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Hind leg paralysis (HLP) is usually a secondary symptom. That means that there is a strong possibility there is something else wrong with your glider other than HLP. You need to have your vet run a fecal float, fecal smear, and urine analysis on BOTH of your gliders. If nothing shows up, I would still recommend a low dose (.01 ml 2 x's a day) of Baytril (good, general antibiotic) for about a week (just in case). Also, have your vet give your glider an injection of calcium. He needs all the help he can get and and an injection of calcium coupled with oral calcium boosters will help him get better faster.
*Check this link out to find Bourbon's Modified Leadbeaters (BML).

Re: Hind Leg Paralysis [Re: ] #23980
07/26/04 11:49 PM
07/26/04 11:49 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,071
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i would have a fecal float done to rule out giardia or a parasite infection which can cause the same type of symptoms as hlp. i reccomend the bml diet even if u must hand feed it. he can be saved it will just take alot of work for a few wks now till he gets well again.

Re: Hind Leg Paralysis [Re: ] #23981
07/28/04 10:04 PM
07/28/04 10:04 PM

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Keep us posted on how this little guy is doing. So sorry that the board was down and you didn't get a lot of responses. My favorite way to give meds was to mix them with Ensure (berry flavor). You may try that so you don't have to fight him as much. You also may want to try offering high calcium foods: yogurt, dried figs (no additives), almonds.

Re: Hind Leg Paralysis [Re: ] #23982
07/28/04 11:32 PM
07/28/04 11:32 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,398
Rock Falls, IL, USA
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Rock Falls, IL, USA
I think they have given you some really good advice above. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers and I sure hope he gets better. Please keep us updated on what happens at the vet and with his health.


Danielle
owned by 4 dogs and 2 gliders really soon
Formerly known as K & D Exotics

Re: Hind Leg Paralysis [Re: ] #23983
07/28/04 11:56 PM
07/28/04 11:56 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,899
Jacksonville, FL
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Jacksonville, FL
In answer to your question about how the vet can tell if it's calcium deficiency with only an x-ray, it's because by the time symptoms show up the body is severely depleted, and has been pulling calcium from and weakening the bones. In a glider with HLP, the bones show up very light on the x-rays instead of well defined like they should be. Because of the weakening, HLP can cause fractures just from standing on them or a small jump or fall if it's bad enough-similar to osteoporosis in people, which can also be diagnosed by x ray.
And I agree with all the other advice given. Do keep us updated, and don't hesitate to ask if you have any other questions or concerns. We are not vets, but many of us have dealt personally with these same issues. All my hopes for your little one's recovery!


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: Hind Leg Paralysis [Re: ] #23984
07/29/04 04:05 PM
07/29/04 04:05 PM

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Thank you all for your good wishes and advice. I am very sad to tell you that while the board was down, our baby slipped away. The morning after my post, he had not eaten and was barely moving. I rushed him back to the vet, who put him in an incubator and hydrated him. He got him to eat some, but by mid afternoon, he passed away. My family is devastated. We had Skippy for about 18 months. Our other glider Joey, shows no signs of any illness, and our vet has given him a clean bill of health. He says that the diet we were giving him was perfect, but Skippy must have been picking out the calcium laden foods. We are going to take every precaution with Joey, and started him on the Leadbeater's Mixture yesterday, as the calcium cannot be picked out of this. We are also supplementing with live mealworms. I am sorry to have to share this news, but hopefully every post of this type can help somebody else to save their baby in time.

Re: Hind Leg Paralysis [Re: ] #23985
07/29/04 04:19 PM
07/29/04 04:19 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,899
Jacksonville, FL
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Jacksonville, FL
I'm so sorry to hear your baby didn't make it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> I'd like to move your post to Real Stories. We hope you stay around-Glider Central has great information on diets and everything glider, and lots of caring people. Your little one will be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> -And we're so sorry we couldn't be here when you needed us! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/upset.gif" alt="" />

Last edited by Xfilefan; 07/29/04 04:26 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
Re: Hind Leg Paralysis [Re: ] #23986
07/30/04 12:06 AM
07/30/04 12:06 AM

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I am so sorry to hear about your little one. I wish there was a simple word, phrase or task I could offer that could make things better. Unfortunately, there isn't. Take care of you and yours.

Lynn

Re: Hind Leg Paralysis [Re: ] #23987
07/30/04 09:08 PM
07/30/04 09:08 PM

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<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> [:"magenta"]i am so sorry for your loss. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> [/]

Re: Hind Leg Paralysis [Re: ] #23988
07/30/04 09:29 PM
07/30/04 09:29 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,398
Rock Falls, IL, USA
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Posts: 3,398
Rock Falls, IL, USA
I am so sorry for your loss. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />


Danielle
owned by 4 dogs and 2 gliders really soon
Formerly known as K & D Exotics

Re: Hind Leg Paralysis [Re: ] #23989
07/31/04 08:11 PM
07/31/04 08:11 PM

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<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I lost a glider to the same symptoms a couple years ago. I know how hard it is! Hang in there!

Re: Hind Leg Paralysis [Re: ] #23990
08/08/04 09:12 PM
08/08/04 09:12 PM

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<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> Hugs comin your way...sorry your wee won did not make it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />


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