I have had to put the ecollar on Sebastian. He is fighting it so hard. I know it is normal for them to fight it but what will the stress do to him????????? I can't get anything to calm him (valium)from the vet until tomorrow. Will he just give up fighting it or is this going to continue?? My heart is breaking! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> I need some reassurance from those that have experienced this, PLEASE!
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.
Oh Teresa! Poor baby and poor you! Will he take mealies? or lickies? Is it possible that it could be a bit too tight for him? I'm sorry, I have no experience with this. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> (((HUGS)))
Glider Kids - Badger and Bonnie, Pepsi and Grace, Victoria.. ahem..I mean ummm..Victor! and Isabella <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Re: HELP! E-collar.......
[Re: ]
#71261 12/05/0512:52 AM12/05/0512:52 AM
T, Im glad that you were able to get a collar on him and to hear that he has calmed down a bit. As I said earlier, I am so thankful that he is with you. If anyone can be there for him it is surely you. Keep up the good work and keep being the person you are. You are truly a God Send. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Well, a regular e-collar (shot glass shaped) just was not working. He kept getting out of it and I couldn't get it tight enough without it choking him. So, THANK YOU RISCHA! She suggested a satalite style e-collar like for birds and it is working great. He isn't fighting it much and more importantly, he hasn't been able to squirm or squeeze his way out of it. After our conversation (me, Peggy and Rischa) I have decided to see if I can get him in for the tail amputation. The vet said he may or may not heal and that if he does, the scar tissue will most likely cut off circulation to his tail requiring it to be amputated anyway. With the extent of the damage now to his tail, I feel it would be less traumatic and would probably heal faster if I have the amputation done. It is my hope that if I have it amputated now, then once healed, he will forever more be collar free.
To all of you out there that has dealt with SM, you have my true admiration. Jen, Charlie, Mary...I am truly in awe of all you do and have been through with your gliders, both personal pets and the rescues you help. This is the most heart breaking thing I have ever been through with an animal.
My little Sebastian is such an incredible soul. Not once has he crabbed at me nor has he tried to bite or nip me. (and we had quite a stuggle today with the collars) It breaks my heart when he gives me that "why are you doing this to me" look. I have been in tears most of the day. I sure hope he understands that I don't have a choice and will forgive me.
Peggy, my friend, thank you so much for being there for me today. It means more to me then you could ever know. Sebastian said thanks for the berry kiss.
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: HELP! E-collar.......
[Re: ]
#71263 12/05/0502:44 AM12/05/0502:44 AM
I looked at a site that Rischa gave me that showed them on birds and kinda winged it (sorry about the pun). I have been asked already for the plans for them. I'll work on that in the next day or so and post it for everyone.
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: HELP! E-collar.......
[Re: ]
#71265 12/05/0502:54 AM12/05/0502:54 AM
Thanks, Teresa, for taking time to work on the plans for the satellite ecollars for us. It is greatly appreciated by all of us here at GC! Yeah, I asked her for the plans when I asked how Sebastian was doing.
Keep us updated on how that little sweetie is doing, please.
Jen
Re: HELP! E-collar.......
[Re: ]
#71266 12/05/0510:13 AM12/05/0510:13 AM
I hope Sebastian is feeling better soon (I LOVE him name!), and that the operation goes well. I'm fairly new to all of this, I've only had Gizzy for 4 months now, and all of you have taught me so much about sugar glider care....good luck with you little one, give him lots of kisses from all of us!
Jess
2 spoiled gliders, Gizzy (6/05) and Ruthie (?/05) <3
Please consider rescuing first!
Please remember to complete your surveys at http://www.sugargroup.org/ - help better the lives of gliders everywhere
Re: HELP! E-collar.......
[Re: ]
#71267 12/05/0511:03 AM12/05/0511:03 AM
Sebastian goes in tomorrow at 1pm for the amputation <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> While I had hoped we could save his tail, the stress on him right now is just to much. I don't want him to heal just to have to go through this again when the scar tissue kills the tail.
Last edited by Dancing; 12/05/0502:14 PM.
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.
I had to make the same decision that you are dealing with. I could not get my molly to wear the collar either. The vet told me we could wait and watch mollys tail or just amputate it. I chose to just take care of it then and I am happy with my decision. You will still have to worry that he won't pull out the stiches but with the pain medication and keeping the tail covered it sould heal well. It has been a month now for us and Mollys tail is healed and the hair is now growing back. I was glad I had it removed and could get on with the healing process instead of fighting with her all the time. Good luck and let me know if I can help in any way. Good luck and keep us informed!
Sebastian had about 3 inches of his 8 inch long tail removed today. I feel so horrible. He will have to stay in the collar for atleast 10 days until the stitches come out and probably for a couple of days after that. This just stinks! He has been so incredibly good. I wish he could understand that I'm not leaving that thing on to be mean. He comes running to me to make things better and I don't. I'm the meanie that put that collar on him. And because of the type of collar, he can't run in a wheel, can't really jump around, gets snagged up on the fleece blankets I have for him to nest in, can't fit into a pouch, can't eat on his own, I have to hand feed him everything. Poor little guy can't even get comfy to sleep. I don't know how he is going to get through this. I am so worried about depression with him. I know I'm depressed for him. He has already been seperated from his cage mates since Thanksgiving. Now another two weeks atleast. I am going to try again to get a shot glass shaped collar to stay on him. He would be able to move around so much easier then he can with this satalite collar.
My (24yr old)daughter told me I am way more dedicated to these animals then she could ever be. (humm, that is why I won't let her have any of mine!) I think this dedication is going to kill me though. I'm a basket case right now watching Sebastian struggle with that collar. I know I made the right decission for Sebastian but knowing doesn't ease the guilt.
Oh, interesting note on things. The vet used a peice of straw and sutured it over the end of the tail to act as a bandage to help protect the tail but still allow air to get to it so it could heal.
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: HELP! E-collar.......
[Re: ]
#71272 12/07/0512:10 AM12/07/0512:10 AM
Teresa..we just talked on the phone, and for the sake of the thread..Yes they will be depressed in the collar..They WILL have anxiety issues, they WILL fight to get out of it-with all 4 feet, and it WILL break your heart watching it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> Knowing it's for the best and they don't understand until they come out..and then a complete 360 on their part and you KNOW they understood. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" /> Riker had me in tears more times than I can count, and I felt like the WORST criminal for what I was "doing to him", even tho I knew it was necessary and right. Keep him with you and hand feed him as much as possible, and call me if you need to- ANY TIME!! My cell, just in case: 435-640-9438. I will have it on and with me all night. Even if you just need help staying awake with him..call me, please. I am here.
And you know that Riker will NOT accept a cagemate of his own species, and needs to mark me all over before he feels free to go play *tears*..the SM's are VERY special. I know you'll do what it takes...I'm here to help in WHATEVER way you need...just call me. I DON'T mind being called...I PROMISE. So If you need anything...don't hesitate to pick up the phone, no matter WHAT TIME of day. For a glider that is SMing...I am ALWAYS available, no matter what. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/muchlove.gif" alt="" /><--for the gliders....and <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="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <--to the owners (or, glider SLAVES, if you prefer) that make ALL the difference in these tiny, PRECIOUS lives.
Last edited by Xfilefan; 12/07/0512:11 AM.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: HELP! E-collar.......
[Re: ]
#71273 12/07/0512:38 AM12/07/0512:38 AM
Teresa...Riker's first REAL sleep in his Ecollar (that I could tell)..on me, with his red teddy bear. He'd been in it almost a month at this point-I thought he was NEVER going to sleep.)
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: HELP! E-collar.......
[Re: ]
#71274 12/07/0509:41 AM12/07/0509:41 AM
Gosh, I hope it doesn't come to the point where he needs to be separated -- it will kill him. He's more dependent on his family than any glider I've ever known.
Teresa, in the stuff I sent you, there's some blue self-adhesive tape that my vet had me use once, and it creates a body cast that in some cases makes an ecollar unnecessary. I don't know that it's a better solution than an ecollar, but it is an alternative. They can get around the cage more easily, and if wrapped correctly, I doubt seriously he could get to the tail.
And please put me on your call list, too. God knows I'm more invested in how this goes than anyone, and I'm so very, very sad for mellow, happy Sebastian. I hope that he's soon able to go back to Whisper and Kudzu, and, as always, can't thank you enough for caring for my babies.
We use a stretchy gauze similar to an ACE bandage. It will stick to itself but not to the skin. We usually apply medication to the tail then a piece of regular gauze. Then wrap the stretch gauze around the area and back up the tail. Wrap it snugly but not so tight it cuts off circulation. This works great with SOME gliders. Others will manage to take it off imediately. We have never tried the straw trick. E collars seem like some type of mediveal torture for a glider but there are times it is the last option.
There have been times when we had a gliders tail docked and gave pain meds for a couple of days with no e collar. But others have had to wear the collar for a couple of weeks. This is one of those situations where you have to trust you and your vets judgment. Seems every glider reacts differently. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Charlie H
Earlier the torb must have worn off and he went after his tail. Thankfully the straw prevented him from doing any damage. I had put a long straw over his tail to prevent him from curling it around the collar but he got the long straw off. Sadly, for the first time since all this started, he made "the noise". But it did alert me and I was right there next to him so was able to stop him before he did any damage. I gave him his dose of Torb and after he calmed down, I replaced the long straw over his tail. He sat in my hands for over an hour and slept. He is now in his cage next to me, sleeping (thankfully!). This is going to be a long road but Sebastian and I will make the journey together and thanks to all the support from those that have emailed me, pm'd me, im'd me, and talked to me on the phone we will be ok. Jen, I will keep you posted.
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.
Lucy, trust me if it comes to the point where he has to be separated permanently it wont kill him, the reason I say this is because with the way he is being spoiled and cared for right now, I can see it already, he will be a glued on fixture with Teresa!! Just like Jen said, he will be another Riker. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />
I was kind of thrown off by your statement though for her to put you on her call list, I figured you would be calling her on a constant basis to the point she is tired of hearing your voice!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />
I am also interested in how you are supposed to use that self adhesive tape to make a body cast <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />. sounds interesting. And could be very helpful to others down the road.
Teresa, keep up the good work you are doing. I know that you are not getting much rest staying up with him all the time due to him not wanting to sleep right now, and having to run back and forth to the vet with him. You already know that if you need anything to just let me know. And I do mean anything, material, funding, or just a person to talk, scream or cry to. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Glider Kisses and more of Auntie Peggys *Special Treats* to the Trooper Sebastian.
Hang in there! I know you'll both get thru this, and thank you for the update. Give the little guy kisses and tell him I said not to do that again, it scares the mom! And some more <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> for you!
--I meant not to go after his tail..the noise, as scary as it is, can actually give a tiny bit of advance warning sometimes. Not that we want either one, tho.
Last edited by Xfilefan; 12/07/0506:12 PM.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Peggy, I haven't wanted to take Teresa's attention away from caring for my family, or from getting the advice she needed. Bourbon tells me often that I don't know nothin' 'bout self-mutilators, and I know that people here do, and that's who she should be talking to -- I'm just the person sitting on pins and needles and wishing I could do more.
Re: HELP! E-collar.......
[Re: ]
#71281 12/08/0503:29 AM12/08/0503:29 AM
Torb has a relativily short lifespan... peaks in two hours and quickly downhill from there so in four hours...no pain releif what so ever.
My suggestion is to use Metcam for pain and a dosage that can be give 12 hours apart. It will also reduce anxiety without making the glider sedated. Might want to do a pain med switch ... but to do so you will need to discuss this with your vet.
Once the pain has been totaly eleminated....from my experience... the glider will not chew his tail. They only chew it when in pain.
Judie, we had him on metacam for a week and it was causing such loose stools that the vet was concerned. I have concerns about the Torb because it makes him so stoned. He just zones out on it. He will probably continue to attack his tail even after the pain is gone as it has stitches in it.
Also, right now, with the snow (we got alot more then KC) I can't get to the vet for a change in meds. (hour and a half on good roads) It will be Friday at the earliest before they have the roads even partially clear.
On the high side, he is eating pretty well. Not his full diet but he is eating several times a day so it probably balances. I will be so glad when we get past all this.
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: HELP! E-collar.......
[Re: ]
#71283 12/08/0508:46 AM12/08/0508:46 AM
Hang in there Teresa! I know what a nightmare this all is for you and the glider. The Torb will make a glider lithargic and usually affect their appetite. Since he has already been on Metacam for a week I don't think you should put him back on it. Don't know how long it takes to clear out from a gliders system but should never be given for more than ten or twelve days in a row. It is a really great pain med but should only be used short term and sparingly.
You are doing a great job. I don't think anyone could do more. Of course when this is over you will need a glider sitter for about a week so you can sleep and recover. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Charlie H
here it is, 1:30 am and Sebastian is still down my top! This morning about 10am, I gave Sebastian his meds (half dose because the full dose was scaring me with his breathing) and I clipped his nails (they were shredding my hands!). During the course of all this, he slipped out of his collar. I didn't have the heart to put it back on so I just held him. Well, my arm started getting really tired (after about 4 hours) so I put him in my shirt in a way that he couldn't reach his tail. He was just clicking and clicking he was so happy! I just didn't have the heart to take away that happiness. So, he slept all day in my shirt. At one point, I had to remove the straw from his tail, including the portion of straw that the vet sutured on. His tail was bleeding and I had to see if he had managed to pull the stitches. They are intact still and it really does look good. I put a bandage on it to keep it clean. He has not once tried to go after his tail since taking off the straws. He also has not had any pain meds since this mornings dose. He came out for a while this evening, ate a little and even played on a wheel for a bit. Then he crawled back in my shirt and went back to sleep. Since he is leaving his tail alone and seems sooooo happy, I'm going to let him stay there for now so I don't have to put the collar back on him. I'll sleep in the chair again tonight (have for the past 5 nights anyway) but will let him sleep with me. While this is all super news, it does have it's downside. He is getting SO SPOILED! I gave him a grape earlier and he wouldn't hold it himself. He had to have me hold it for him! He did eat the whole grape though. I guess that is what all these days of hand feeding him has led to. I did make him eat his dinner off his plate like normal. I was a bit surprised when he crawled back in my shirt on his own. Happy but surprised. I have the collar handy if needed but I'm hoping not to have to use it again even if that means he spends the next two weeks ON me. (hubby holds him when I shower and such).
Jen, thanks for asking.
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: HELP! E-collar.......
[Re: ]
#71286 12/09/0505:11 AM12/09/0505:11 AM
Wonderful news!!! I am so happy to hear that Sebastian is on his way to recovery! The bond between the two of you is so special and, Teresa, enjoy that bond! Give him a kiss and a snuggle from me.
Jen
Re: HELP! E-collar.......
[Re: ]
#71288 12/09/0508:49 AM12/09/0508:49 AM
sounds great Teresa. I am a little more optomistic than two weeks. It should heal sooner unless the tail is weeping fluid and blood. Hopefully the blood you saw was from the stitches comeing out. If it continues to seep blood or fluid you may need to have the vet take another look. Usually the seeping stops after a day or so if the amputation is made properly at a joint. We once had a vet amputate a gliders tail between the joints. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> The weeping would not stop so we had to take the glider to another vet and have him do another operation to correct the error.
I know what you mean about them getting spoiled. But that is better than having one resent you because you have been forceing medication down it. Poor Bo thinks every time I come near his cage I am going to get him out and doctor him. I can just call his name from across the room and he will start crabbing. Little guy still associates me with all the medicating and e collars. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Hope he continues to improve and you can keep him e collar free. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" /> Charlie H