I am alternating between neosporin and A+D, which was recommended by my vet Dr. Ahumada in Dallas. Right now she has an ecollar, as she has been chewing her feet. Dr. Ahumada also recommended compresses at two minute intervals for her feet, and I am also trying to keep them clean as possible as some of them have been chewed hard enough to draw blood.

I will now check your PM. Thanks!

Well, the vet said I could try to remove the collar today...and she went straight for her feet again. >.< I am still treating with Neosporin, and a spray the vet gave me to use that it supposed to help the feeling return to her feet as well as making them not taste good, hopefully deterring the chewing. It's not really helping.

The ecollar he gave her flares out too much, and she's been tipping over on her back like a turtle. I have checked out some of the ecollar patterns and will try to modify it or make my own for her.

I am camped out by her cage on my days off, but I just feel horrible right now because I can't stay with her during the days I have to work. I know now that I should have gotten her a cagemate a long time ago, but I was actually told a vet that they attack each other(!) which I now know isn't true. She shows so many signs of hanging in there - eating well, getting over her "diaper rash" issues for the most part, and regaining a lot of movement in her feet and tail. If only she'd stop trying to chew them!

Erin
You are doing great with her.

Remember, this going after her feet is actually a good sign. It is sad that their response to it is so disasterous. But, she is regaining use of her legs and that is GOOD.

Keep her in the collar until she is fully recovered. I know you don't want to hear that, but it is really necessary. You do not want to start down the road of repeated SM and repeated surgeries like Jackie Chan experienced.

Don't hesitate to call if you need to.

The ecollar pattern I printed out and made was too small. the collar she got from the vet is a modified bird collar. I tried covering the sharp edges with electrical tape, but she's managed to tear two of her claws already. The vet says they should grow back, but it's terribly distressing. D: My biggest fear is of her tipping over again and being unable to reach food and water while I am at work, though she did appear to right herself after tipping over this morning. I left her some of her liquid mix in a tube feeder, confirmed she can reach her water as long as she's upright, and she did eat her mealies and some more grapes and mix and 25 ml of pedialyte this morning.

One - the only - positive thing from this is that she's having to use her back legs to balance herself, putting them back into use again.

I know this is preferable to coming home to find her bleeding from SM, but I'm still so worried.

I believe you can get one with snaps from TGI, and I bet they would overnight it to you!

I think she actually has one of those, and I ended up trimming it down a whole lot because she was unable to walk and kept tipping over on her back. Is this one meant specifically for gliders?

Well, the modifications to the collar I made seem to be helping her move around better, and she seems ok. She does keep trying to go for her feet though. D: I am hoping for a resolution to this...the collar is working for now, but if this is going to be long term she will need a better one. I will see what I can come up with if I can't buy one.

Hi there,

I just wanted to update everyone on what has been going on with Cessna. She has some of her tail movement back, but I have been having trouble keeping her ecollar on her. Friday she managed to get it off again, and chewed two of her toes pretty badly. She went to the emergency vet and is on meds for pain and possible infection, but now she also has what I thought were cataracts and what the emergency vet says are ulcerations. She is on topically-administered medicine for this and the lacerated toes, but I am wondering what else might be causing the eye issues.

Basically, She has a film over her corneas with some white spots. I am looking up some causes for these issues, and am wondering if it isn't liver-related. I found that someone suggested artichokes in another thread and will try that tonight. the ecollar is finally on for good (I found out how she was pulling it off and taped it closed there.) Her urine screening from a week and a half ago showed no problems. How do we tell if she has liver issues?

I also talked with the breeder I originally got her from back in 1997, who told me that she was already a year old when I got her (meaning she was born in 1996) making her nearly 13 years old. The emergency vet, her breeder, and the person I am having sit for her while I am at work all tell me it's perhaps just age and I might be prolonging her suffering, but I don't want to give up on her. Nor do I want her to suffer. I just feel badly about this whole situation.

I also found this:

http://www.swanimalhospital.net/html/sugar_glider.html

I'm going to go boil some eggs for her RIGHT NOW, considering they are a good source of B1. Any other advice would be seriously appreciated. I would like to thank Jackie_Chans_Mom again also for all of her great support and advice over the phone.

Erin
I am always happy to help out when I can.

In her condition, I don't know how much you should put her through. BUT, if she has to be anesthetized anytime soon, please have them take some blood while she is under. A blood panel will tell you a lot about her liver function. During urinalysis, they should be able to tell you how her bilirubin (sp?) looks - which will give you some indication of her liver functioning.

I know that Peggy's vet - Dr. Tristan - has made some suggestions of supplements in the past to address liver functioning. I think it would be worth it for your vet to consult with him. His phone number is 361-994-1145 (but remember, he will only consult with other vets).

13 years is a long, happy life - and a testament to the love and care you provide for her. I understand the "not wanting to let her go" part. I hope that you are planning for the worst, though - just so that you are prepared. When you feel up to it, please review this thread:
Why Necropsies are important

I think of Cessna every day and I just love the encouraging updates you give me on her. Keep loving that baby - and sharing with us what you have learned.

Thanks. She saw her normal vet this morning, and her feet have scabbed up without any sign of necrotic tissue. However, she has been very lethargic today.

I am having to come to terms with the fact that maybe it is just age, and that I should be ready to accept whatever happens. I'm still working with her. I will keep the information in that link in mind...gliders still are relatively new animal companions, and I know there is still a lot of learning to be done.

Cessna passed away early Saturday morning around 6AM. Somehow she got out of her ecollar while I was at work, and her babysitter was out for a short while. She chewed the foot she's been trying to get to down to the bone. The emergency vet told me that at her advanced age and with the other complications that were starting to show up, she did not think she'd make it through anesthesia - and with the ecollar on she was constantly in distress.

We had the most trustworthy ecollar on that I'd gotten, and even now we are not sure how she got out of it. She was euthanized around 6AM by the emergency vet.

I feel horrible, like I let her down. She had twelve years, and her normal vet told me that she was literally the oldest glider he'd ever seen before. I am still trying to deal with this, and it's really hard with her not being here anymore.

I'd like to thank you all for your help and advice during the past month. I really do appreciate it.

I am so very sorry for your loss......

I know how hard it is.

I'm very sorry for your loss.
I truly know how bad you must be feeling (been there...) but you did the right thing.
No matter how much time it pass... Cessna will be always in your heart!
Treasure all the sweet memories you have of all those wonderful years spent together.
My prayers are with you.

I just read your post -I am really sorry for your loss - In your heart you know you did all you could for your baby - I'll say a prayer for your whole family tonight and I'm sure their are alot of fuzzy's waiting at the end of the "Rainbow Bridge" to greet your baby -

Beezer

Erin - you did NOT let Cessna down. You have been a faithful fighter for her for months. When we last spoke, you seemed to know that the end was coming for her. Maybe she was trying to tell you that she was ready to go. She knew she was loved and she was just ready to go. She DID have a long, happy life with you. You were a great mommy to her.

Please call me if you need/want to.