I'm sorry I haven't updated all of you on Gimli sooner, but we really thought we were going to lose him, and nearly did. Please forgive the delay. Last Friday night he almost choked to death. He'd had some apple, followed by a little bml and yogurt with a syringe, and then vomited. Some of the apple stuck in his throat. He fell over and turned pasty white (nose, hands and feet) while his body spasmed and he fought for air. For a few seconds, we couldn't detect any breathing, and my husband massaged him to try and help get stuff up. It worked. The stuck apple came out and he started to breathe again. He was extremely pale, shaky and in shock. Very lethargic. For the next few days he remained exhausted, would not move around on his own, and would eat little other than hawaiian delight lickys, squished out mealie guts, a tiny piece of nut, cheese, and apple or grape juice (and he'd take a few licks here and there of the Berry Blend V8 Splash). The amounts were tiny. He'd be awake for 10 or so minutes at a time, and then sleep deeply for hours. (we decided not to try and force feed him anything else after his close call.) His hands, feet, and nose remained extremely pale. We hand fed him small amounts that he'd eat around the clock, and he'd sleep in between. Finally, he started to come out of his pouch for about an hour at a time, very shaky and weak, and started eating a few blueberries (frozen) and a little honey-in addition to the above list. Then, Wednesday night, he got up on his own, showed some interest in marking his cage, and ate grapes, hawaiian delight, a couple of mealies, some yogurt, and corn from his dish (HIS choice! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" />) He was still very pale and tired easily. We weren't sure by this time whether it was an improvement or if he was getting ready to die. He still wasn't vocal at all (and he is normally very vocal). Finally, Thursday night, he got up, and his nose and hands were pink again! He ate fruit, veggies, a few mealies, yogurt, and juice. He was bouncing around his cage, bright eyed and making some of his old noises! Hope at last! Today he has even more color in his hands and nose, is eating and acting close to normal, and making all of his old sounds. AND- He Is RUNNING in his Wheel!!!. He has stopped a couple times to lick it, but only for a moment and not with anywhere near the obsession he had exhibited before. We added cottage cheese to his menu tonight (which he apparently loves) and I'm trying the Butter Pecan flavored ensure (since he loves nuts so much) to see if he shows any interest. (Keeping fingers crossed). I am still very worried, as we don't know what caused this in the first place, but think it may be dietary-not only his refusal to eat a staple, but whatever he was fed his first 2 years before we got him. I'll continue to try and interest him in a staple diet, and to try and find something he'll eat his vitamins/ca in. For now, though, it looks like he's at least trying to recover. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> **1st Pic-last Saturday after his brush with the Rainbow Bridge. He was so deeply asleep we suspected he was dying.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: Gimli Update
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#25456 08/21/0405:29 AM08/21/0405:29 AM
I'm so glad he's feeling better. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cloud9.gif" alt="" /> I hate when peoples babies get sick, I worry for everybody! I'm just glad he feels better and you will have my continuing*sp* prayers for his recovery
Re: Gimli Update
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#25460 08/21/0409:40 AM08/21/0409:40 AM
EXCELLENT news <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />, he looks so much better Jen. I too hope he continues to improve, and send you both good wishes and happy times from here on.
Karin
Miss Lily and Bud Prada and Armani Tessa, Deuce and Cami
That's wonderful! I love the picture of him eating on his own. That almost brings tears to my eyes after hearing about how close he was to the Rainbow Bridge. I hope he continues to improve and you find the perfect staple diet for him. Good luck and keep up the good work. Give him a rub on the head from me and my gliders and tell him how proud we are of him for fighting so hard to pull through. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />
I am so glad to see and hear that he is doing better. You have a sweet little guy there. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. Please continue to keep us updated on how he is doing.
Danielle owned by 4 dogs and 2 gliders really soon Formerly known as K & D Exotics
Great news about Gimli! I hope his health continues to improve and I'll keep my fingers crossed that the licking obsession is behind him! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />
Jen...I am so happy to here he is doing better. It sounds like he is a fighter and wants to live. I don't know how we would work it out but it sounds like he and my little Abby would get along great...she's a fighter too. She has come such a long way and is doing great!!!
Wow..didnt even realize your name was Jen too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> but My gosh...after crying my big baby eyes out <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> I am SO Happy he made it through after such a hard ordeal, what a lucky momma you are, youre so blessed! His fight sounds a lot like my Kuzcos...except I guess Kuzco wasnt as strong as Gimli...thank GOD he made it, congrats! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />