Last night we had gliders out for nail trims. As always, everyone gets a thorough look over for any issues. Well, I kept looking at Clotho's chin-it just didn't look right. Sort of like a bump under there, but that wasn't the impression it gave before I turned her over-more like a really prominent chin suddenly-it's hard to explain. I held her like for meds and got up under her chin where in fact there was a large bump-and it was NOT there a couple days ago. So, closing my eyes against a sick feeling I knew what I was about to see, pried open her mouth.
Her front bottom teeth were wedged apart with cottage cheese like infection between them, and the front lower jaw has massive infection! They had a pinky mouse (a special treat) the night before-I don't know if that had anything to do with it, or if it's just coincidence. Pulled all the gunk out from between her teeth, and got a look at the raw bloody gum. And here is where it goes from bad to worse.
My two primary vets are out of town. I called the emergency one my vet left to have them say they don't see gliders and refuse an appointment. They said Bird and Exotic.
I just had another member contact me here with what I already know-they saw Orr just recently and weren't happy-he barely looked at the glider or talked to them. Now, I know how to force an issue there-they WILL do what I say and talk to me, but that doesn't give them experience with this kind of problem.
That leaves my only option as Pet ER-and they REALLY aren't set up for this. They would Xray, or prescribe the meds I ask for, and that's as far as it goes. I'm absolutely stuck until Dr. Harris gets back.
I started her on Torb, Clinda, and Flagyl last night (same regimen as Lyah-and they weigh within a few grams of each other), and have put a call in to Dr. Harris' emergency number in hope of some advice until she gets back.
There's NO swelling in her cheeks at all-only directly under her chin, which is new to me. The swelling went down a little after the stuff came out, but not a lot. Unless she holds her head at just the right angle or you look at her from the bottom you can't even see it (one reason I always look at them when they hang on the side of the cage-and I didn't see this a few days ago-though it's possible it wasn't as bad and I missed it).
So I'm waiting for a call back from Dr. Harris to tell me what she wants me to do. I don't believe this.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: Xfilefan]
#357063 08/08/0702:20 PM08/08/0702:20 PM
Oh no Jen!!! Not another one! I'm sooo sorry this is happening!
Keeper of Handprints on my Heart, You left your Footprints on my soul. My precious loves that left to quickly, Peanut, Katie Isabella, Kiwi, Bonnie and Monroe.
Spread your wings and glide free of pain, Until the day I see you again.
God speed my precious angels. I love you. Mama.
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: ]
#357076 08/08/0702:29 PM08/08/0702:29 PM
John-Gina (Monster) will blow a gasket when she finds out..this is her hand raised baby. And I have no clue what started it! She was the LAST one I would have expected this from! And I don't have a number to reach her at to tell her.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: Xfilefan]
#357089 08/08/0702:42 PM08/08/0702:42 PM
Jen, Gina will know that Clotho is in the best of hands. I called her and left a message for her to call you.
When Dr. Harris gets back, discuss the possiblity of Scurvy (lack of Vit C) with her. Since we are seeing so many dental issues, this is something that needs investigating as a possible cause.
Hang in there!
620-704-9109 Judge not until you have walked in their shoes and lived their lives. What you see online is only part of the story.
I could have missed the pain But I'd of had to miss the dance
The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: Xfilefan]
#357090 08/08/0702:43 PM08/08/0702:43 PM
T, I'll ask, though I've been adding extra C, maybe it's not enough. A supplement would probably be better. I knew something was wrong when she let me hold/pet her and got her nails done without crabbing at the outset (she's a wild child, lol-it's part of her charm)-she settles down, but always starts with telling you who's the boss, lol. I checked her extra close. I know what normal behavior is for every one of my gliders, and though a little more docility would be nice-it wasn't normal for her.
I am so frustrated right now I'm shaking.
Attached is Clotho's OOP Certificate. She will be 2 on Sept. 06.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: Xfilefan]
#357112 08/08/0703:05 PM08/08/0703:05 PM
River - I left a message on her cell phone she gave me for emergencies. She's likely in a seminar right now, so it'll probably be this afternoon late or this evening. The good area vets are all in VA learning more about exotics, which is what makes them good, and I understand it's necessary. I took my guys in the 2nd (the day before she left) to try and avoid this, of all the ironic situations. Her office told me Orr if the other wouldn't see them (and I have a feeling she is NOT going to be happy about that), but I know his limitations, and it would just be a waste of time and money. If she wants I'll have Pet ER do an Xray I can bring her when she comes back (they do some of the best Xrays on gliders). I'm not comfortable with any of the currently available vets lancing something in what amounts to her throat unless they were on the phone with her at the time, and she'll need to be aware of the problem before that can happen. Pet ER doesn't start until 7pm, so that works.
Last edited by Xfilefan; 08/08/0703:06 PM.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: Xfilefan]
#357114 08/08/0703:09 PM08/08/0703:09 PM
Jen we are thinking of you and Clotho here. You got it cleaned out some and the start of meds will make her feel better till Dr. Harris calls. Geesh who am I kidding you know all this! Hugs
Why do they always have to do these kind of things when the DOC is out of town?
Have a Good Day Brenda & Mr. Magoo
Friendly Reminder please have an e-collar ready before you need it......
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: BCChins]
#357121 08/08/0703:16 PM08/08/0703:16 PM
Gah *frustration!* Yeah, I can understand why Dr Orr wouldn't be of any use in this, and I wouldn't want any of the current available vets messing with something like that all on their own, either. BUT, at least you know exactly who you can trust, to what degrees, and in which areas; that's something, at least, all things considered.
I hope Dr Harris gets back to you really soon, and that she has some good advice! The only other thing I can think of is trying to get somebody else's vet who's dealt with a lot of teeth issues on the phone while you're waiting for Dr Harris to get back to you, and see what they might have to say; I really don't know how much that'd actually help though, so.
If anybody can get Clotho through all of this smoothly Jen, it's you; I just pray it all turns out alright!
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: MizValorie]
#357140 08/08/0703:53 PM08/08/0703:53 PM
I really hope that he gets better soon. It seems I am hearing a lot about this lately.
I know Linda recently found an abscess on one of her sugar gliders this morning, but doesn't appear to be infected. I know she is extremely worried since Steward her leucistic had a similar condition, and didn't pull through.
Maybe you could contact her to see if there are any similarities in your situations to find a possible cause?
Jennifer Chandler Owned by sugar gliders for over 14 years Pet Sugar Gliders
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: petsugargliders]
#357153 08/08/0704:12 PM08/08/0704:12 PM
That is a plus. If Dr. Harris can let me know what she wants me to tell them to do specifically, I can and will see that it's done.
And is that LSardou? She and I have talked on the phone before...I hope her little one is okay. There aren't a lot of vets that have dealt much with these issues, where the teeth are involved, unfortunately. And most of them are at this exotics conference in VA (I think Chris-glidrz5-said hers was going to something also). I've been dealing with a similar thing in Lyah since Feb., but that affected her entire mouth and she's lost most of her teeth (has 9 left). The lower 2 front incisors in Lyah are the last remaining issue, but with Lyah, the swelling went through her cheeks, not underneath her chin, so I'm thinking Clotho's case may be a little different.
She's welcome to call by phone or PM, though, and if it's LSardou she knows that. Thanks for the info.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: Xfilefan]
#357167 08/08/0704:27 PM08/08/0704:27 PM
for you and Clotho. I feel so bad for you guys! Thank goodness you have the proper antiobiotics and dosages available. Hopefully this will keep the infection in check until it can be taken care of. I am so glad she belongs to you-you are so observant!
YAY!! Dr Harris just called me back (and it was a surprise to her that the referral place wouldn't see a glider) She was under the impression they would, which is why she left it as a referral.
I'm to add Metacam for the next few days, for the swelling, and I'll have an appointment as soon as she gets back from her seminar on the 13th. I go in the morning to pick up a refill for the Flagyl (that I'm low on)-the rest I have plenty of. She doesn't think Dr. Orr could deal with this either (no patience). I also need to keep it cleaned out (which I know, and can do). She's already on Torb, which is good, and the right antibiotics.
So I'll keep a close eye on the swelling, and give her the meds. She laughed when she mentioned I'm the first one that had to call so far on her trip, and I said 'yeah, I came on the 2nd to try and NOT have a crisis, so this is just my luck", lol. I should've figured. If anyone is going to have an unexpected problem with someone it's me. She is still eating and playing some, just not with her normal zeal. So I have to watch that as well. That's not easy with her-she hates light almost more than Riker does and it's hard to see her in the dark.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: Xfilefan]
#357287 08/08/0706:44 PM08/08/0706:44 PM
Oh Jen I'm so so sorry to hear about little Clotho!! You are such a great glider mom and she is in the best care! I will pray for her mouth that it gets better really soon!!
Kristin :glider: Sparkles & Flower Loving Husband Christopher Proverbs 3:5,6
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: BlndGrl8]
#357291 08/08/0706:49 PM08/08/0706:49 PM
Jen it sounds like you were on top of this the right way. So glad your dr. called back. You gotta love folks like this. Hope Clotho gets better real fast.:)
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: morksmom]
#357328 08/08/0707:12 PM08/08/0707:12 PM
I'm glad that Dr Harris called you back; sounds like you've got a good game plan for a holding pattern, and it's always nice to hear what the Dr thinks. I'm glad you've got most of those meds already, and that you were already able to start her on them last night; for all that it's a pain, I guess there are up sides to the constant medical needs you go through.
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: ]
#357357 08/08/0708:05 PM08/08/0708:05 PM
Jen, this sounds like Nicky when he would get something stuck between his incisors. It would irritate his gums & cause them to swell & bleed. With antibiotics & daily flushing it should clear up OK.
Chris Illusion, Malcom, Isabell, Annabelle, Zach, Isis, Aly & Indy AND Miss Emmy & Miss Chloe kitties
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: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: glidrz5]
#357375 08/08/0708:28 PM08/08/0708:28 PM
Jen, I just now got on here. I am so sorry to hear about Clotho! Gosh darn it!!! I just wished things would let up for you! I'm glad to see that your vet finally called and things are being taken care of. Luckly the post about another glider having the same problem isn't one of mine (I'm so sorry for Linda's baby and sending prayers her way too) I for sure would have called you asap!!! Keeping you and Clotho in my prayers!
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: LSardou]
#357383 08/08/0708:32 PM08/08/0708:32 PM
She's also got a lot of swelling underneath her chin-I'm more worried about that than her gums, actually, and how deep this goes. Did Nicky look like he had a small marble in there?
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: I Don't Believe This is Happening-Clotho
[Re: LSardou]
#357386 08/08/0708:37 PM08/08/0708:37 PM