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VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
#77207
01/12/06 10:11 AM
01/12/06 10:11 AM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Hi there I am a member of this forum, and read a lot but don't post. I thought I would share this, and see if anyone has a suggestion. I have five gliders -- the original male and female couple I bought as adults almost a year ago, and three joeys -- one boy OOP in June 2005, and twin girls OOP in October 2005. They were all housed together until Sunday, when I separated the two boys from the three girls, so that we would not have any more babies or have inbreeding -- I was considering having the boys neutered so they could be together again. I put their cages against each other so they could see the other. On Tuesday night, my son found the mother at the bottom of the cage barely moving. They girls had knocked their water bottle off the outside of the cage, so the poor babies had been without water for the day. The three month old joey girls appeared fine. We rushed the mom (Honey) to Quakertown Animal Hospital in PA (we live in Western NJ) because they have an exotic animal vet on call after hours. Honey appeared to be severely dehydrated from skin test, and also behind her eyes were gray and sunken in. We got some water drops in her on the way. The vet gave her fluids SUB-Q, and glucose with a syringe and amoxy .1 CC's because she suspected some kind of an infection. She suggested I give her Gatorade and Ensure with a syringe every few hours until she improved. I kept her warm in a pouch with me all night. I was feeding her approximately 3 cc's of gatorade and 3 cc's of Vanilla Ensure every three hours around the clock. After we got home from the ER vet, she seemed to rouse a bit, but also seemed to not have good control of her motor functions. Yesterday afternoon, after not seeing improvement I took her to University of Pennsylvania ER hospital, because I have read they are excellent with gliders, and also because the other ER vet recommended them. They assessed her, and admitted her. They too, gave her fluids sub-q, glucose, oxygen, and a calcium carbonate shot. They also say she has neurological issues, and don't know why yet. We are waiting this morning for the special species vet to look at her. When I visited her before I left the hospital, honestly, she barely looked alive. She doesn't move other than breathing and her eyes are closed. I should add that at the vet the first night she weighed 63 grams, but last night she weighed 74 grams. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of illness? I know if she makes it until this morning, they will do bloodwork and x rays. I should add that I feed BML, fruit, veggies, and mealworms. And up until this week, all gliders have been in excellent health. Also, we don't know Honey's age, but we think she is between 5 and 6 years old. Thanks in advance for your support and advice. My heart is breaking....
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Re: VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
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#77208
01/12/06 10:21 AM
01/12/06 10:21 AM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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I sorry to hear about Honey being sick . I don't have expert advice but I sure someone will soon. She is in my prayers.
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Re: VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
[Re: ]
#77210
01/12/06 10:54 AM
01/12/06 10:54 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,224 North Fort Worth - TX
jacknsally
Glider Addict
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Glider Addict
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,224
North Fort Worth - TX
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Your baby has been through alot the last few days- She sounds like a fighter. Sending up sugar sweet prayers for her & yourself <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> Sorry I can't give any explanation to her illness
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Re: VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
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#77212
01/12/06 01:16 PM
01/12/06 01:16 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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I just got off the phone with the special species vet, and it appears that Honey is slowly passing away. Her breathing and heart rate are becoming more shallow and irregular, and she has not responded at all to the sub-Q fluids, calcium carbonate, and glucose shots. She will no longer eat or drink from a syringe. I am crying my eyes out. I had no idea how hard it would be to lose her...
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Re: VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
[Re: ]
#77215
01/12/06 02:36 PM
01/12/06 02:36 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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I'm so sorry to hear about Honey. I agree with Peggy, that she should be with you if possible. It sounds like you've done everything that could possibly be done, and you got her some excellent care. Just the fact that you thought to include your chosen diet in your original explanation tells me that you know what you're doing and are a good glider slave. Since you have her at a University ER, if she does pass, they may be able to tell from a necropsy what happened, and it may be helpful for them as well, being an educational facility. I still hope that doesn't happen, but from what you said, I guess it is likely. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/upset.gif" alt="" />
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Re: VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
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#77216
01/12/06 04:26 PM
01/12/06 04:26 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 8,366 Quincy, IL 62305
Lynsie
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 8,366
Quincy, IL 62305
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That kinda sounds like what happend to my poor Kiah in a way. She had a 3 week old joey and was doing fine. Then one day I came in and it seems that she just couldn't move right. I stuck my hand in the cage and she didn't crab, bite, or run, which she always did. I got her out and immediately called the vet but, it was 4th of July weekend at 9:00 at night. I had no vet that could see her. So I gave her water and some honey in case she was lethargic and by the time the vet finally called she had passed. We are not for sure what casused this, the vet said that it could have possibly been calcium defiency from nursing the joey. I still have her joey and her mate and they are just fine. I will keep you in my prayers.
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Re: VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
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#77217
01/13/06 11:42 AM
01/13/06 11:42 AM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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We helped Honey to the bridge yesterday afternoon. She was continuing to decline and was barely breathing. She had been given supportive care in terms of the sub-q fluids, glucose, etc for 40 hours and was continuing to decline. They will perform a necropsy, so I will let everyone know what they find so that hopefully we can all learn something. I also need to say that I have never experienced a health care facility -- animal or human - like the Univeristy of Pennsylvania. They so have their act together and far exceeded my expectations. If I continue living here I am changing them to my routine vet for all my animals. When an animal is brought into their ER it is immediately taken back to be assesed -- there is no waiting at all for them. They immediately took her vital signs,put her into a cage, put oxygen on her, a heat lamp, etc. While they were doing that they gave me a six page questionaire to fill out about her history, her cage, previous joeys, toys, out of cage time, mate, diet, etc. -- every question you can possibly imagine for a glider was covered. Then later a student came out and met with me privately and asked more questions. About a half hour after that the doctor came out and met with me privately and covered everything. And with the greatest compassion I have ever experienced from a medical doctor. They admitted her, told me that unless I got a phone call during the night that her condition was unchanged, and told me that I could call anytime during the night and check on her. In the morning she was transferred to the special species unit, and assigned a new doctor. About mid morning that doctor called me to talk to me about her. She talked to me very honestly, but also with much compassion, and at that time we came up with a plan for her treatment as grim as her prognosis was. She told me that I could call her anytime during the day, and that she would call me back mid afternoon with an update. I just want everyone to know how wonderful this facility is. Well I am thankful that I had the time I did with Honey, and that I have her wonderful mate, and also her three beautiful joeys. Thanks again for everyone's kind words and support. I will let you know the outcome of the necropsy. One more thing... We were unaware of her age exactly and the vet did tell me that her teeth were not in great shape -- some broken, some missing, decayed, etc which I assume is an indication of advanced age...
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Re: VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
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#77218
01/13/06 11:53 AM
01/13/06 11:53 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,749 80 acres of paradise in KS
Dancing
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,749
80 acres of paradise in KS
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</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> We helped Honey to the bridge yesterday afternoon.
<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">
To me this is the most unselfless act of love we can give our sweet companions. I am so sorry you had to make that choice and I am very sorry for your loss.
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.
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Re: VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
[Re: ]
#77219
01/13/06 11:57 AM
01/13/06 11:57 AM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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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="" /> Bless you for giving Honey a wonderful life. This is the hardest part for me about doing rescue and being a pet owner, it never stops hurting but time will ease the pain of your heart. Angie
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Re: VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
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#77221
01/13/06 12:19 PM
01/13/06 12:19 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,382 Kentucky
Badgersmommy
Glider Slave
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Glider Slave
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,382
Kentucky
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I'm so sorry this happened..it hurts me so much to read this. You did everything you could. About the water...I've been around my gliders at different times ALL day and mine don't come out to drink water in the daytime. Don't blame yourself for anything, sounds like from what the vet saw with her teeth that she was of an advanced age and probably had some problems before you got her. Bless you for all you did for her and loving her. She sure had a great mommy. (((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="" />
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Re: VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
[Re: ]
#77223
01/13/06 06:02 PM
01/13/06 06:02 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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To all of you... Thanks for your kind words.. I do feel so much guilt over this. I did love her so much, and I only hope she knew that. Again, I will let the forum know when I hear the results of the necropsy.
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Re: VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
[Re: ]
#77225
01/13/06 06:33 PM
01/13/06 06:33 PM
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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I just heard from her vet, and the quick results from the necropsy show that Honey had an incredibly abnormal liver -- shape, size, and tissue. It will be a time before we get the full results back from the tissue samples to see whether or not it was malignant. So, I guess I have some research to do on livers in sugar gliders now.
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Re: VERY SICK GLIDER IN HOSPITAL (long)
[Re: ]
#77226
01/14/06 12:40 PM
01/14/06 12:40 PM
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,297 Quincy, IL
glidrz5
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,297
Quincy, IL
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Deciding to help a beloved furkid make their final journey is one one of the hardest, most heartwrenching decisions that there is, but it is also one of the most unselfish. You are putting their feelings and wellbeing ahead of your own desire to hold on tight with both hands when you choose to let them go. I know she appreciates the many years you spent together as well as your unselfish love at the end. God Bless you both, I know she'll be waiting at the bridge for you.
THE RAINBOW BECKONS
In loving memory of my angels who have crossed over the rainbow bridge
The rainbow has beckoned It's calling you home To meadows and forest In which you may roam
My heart it grows heavy To think you might leave I'd be all alone then Alone then to grieve
I know deep inside me That you cannot stay The pain that you're feeling Grows more night and day
You look at me asking In your silent way To let you go home now "Please let me" you say
You say there's no pain there No fear and no hate Just peace and well being Once you're through the gate
You tell me you'll always Hold me in your heart That time and that distance Can't keep us apart
And if I should need you At my side you'll be Tho I cannot see you You'll be there with me
You promise to wait at the rainbow for me To wait `til I join you Together to be
I just want to hold you And beg you to stay To ask please don't leave me Alone on this day
Yet deep in my heart know I must let you go You must make the journey now to the rainbow
I bow down my head then The tears fill my eyes I give you my blessing My love now to fly
So fly to the rainbow And wait there for me Some day I will join you Together to be
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
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