This evening, I went to pull the baby glider (3 months old) out of the bonding pouch, and I found his leg was being strangled by a part of the viewing screen that was torn away in the pouch. It's been frayed before, but I cut it away. I guess it got even more frayed from them biting and gnawing on it. I don't know how long he was stuck there, but it does not look good. I carefully cut away the string and freed him. I gave him some water and rushed to the vet. He said all I can do is soak his foot in a saline solution that he gave me. I have a horrible feeling that he's going to lose some toes, and maybe part of his foot. It's very swollen and purplish and some of his toes look black and might be dead. Even the nails are blackish-blue. He can move the leg, but he sort of drags it behind him more than uses it. I'm sure it's numb or something...
I am sooooooo upset. This is their first baby, and he is the sweetest little thing on the planet. If anyone else has any ideas of anything I should do to help him, please let me know asap.
Thanks, ---Dan
Re: I am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt...
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#78365 01/19/0601:28 AM01/19/0601:28 AM
I have not dealt with this… but sending you … <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Oh My.... I am so sorry for you and your furball, he has to be in pain Im sure...
Did the vet give you any pain meds for him? If so, please make sure to give him what the vet said, if not, you might consider calling the vet and asking him for some just so the glider doesnt start *attacking the pain* source. That could make matters worse and we dont want that.
I am also sure I dont have to say to get that pouch out of there. I would advise not to put anymore of the window pouches in the cage. When keeping a pouch inside the cage, it is always best to have a seamless pouch in there. this way the threads do not become unraveled or the material doesnt become frayed.
I sure hope that your glider is ok soon. Please be sure to keep an very close eye on him and an ear open to make sure he doesnt start going after it. I would also suggest to have an ecollar handy *just in case* you wind up needing it.
Im sure others will be along to post as well. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" />
First thing is to get him into a vet-and get that pouch out. If you have to, put in an old T shirt in the cage for them to sleep in until you can replace it. The vet will need to evaluate the injury, and determine healthy from dead tissue (a glider can get along fine on 3 legs if it's necessary). Necrotic (dead) tissue can spread, taking live tissue with it, so ASAP on the vet (like tonight, or first thing in the morning). It can also cause infection, which can become systemic and deadly. If there is dead tissue, it will not come back, and needs to be removed to live, healthy tissue so it can heal. It also puts him at risk for Self Mutilation (trying to chew it off), which you don't want to happen. The sooner this little one is seen, the better. Please keep us updated on your little one!
And if all that vet said is to soak it in saline, I'd find another vet! This little one needs treatment, and an oral antibiotic would be a good idea as well. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" />
Last edited by Xfilefan; 01/19/0601:48 AM.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: I am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt...
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#78370 01/19/0602:21 AM01/19/0602:21 AM
Thank you for all of the replies and information. Needless to say, the pouch is out and a different one is in (no window). He's still in with his parents. They are all fine together. He's not attacking it yet. It's swelling up a lot since I freed him from the string. The vet said to keep soaking it in the saline solution 3x a day. He also said that if there is dead tissue, it will fall off and he will heal natually on his own. If there is any dead tissue, it's the toes. I hate to do this, but I'm going to post some pics I just took of his foot. Maybe some of you experts can give me some advice. I'm so destroyed over this... I'm a 5'11" 200lb (heterosexual) guy and I'm brought to tears over this...
Re: I am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt...
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#78371 01/19/0602:22 AM01/19/0602:22 AM
Sorry to say, but looks like the foot will need to be amputated. The necrotic tissue will spread and may become septic and cause big health problems. The tissue is all internal and will not fall off. The foot looks like it should be amputated. The way it is looking, he can start attacking the foot causing him to sm, do to the loss of sensation in that foot. Pain meds are a very good idea at this point
Eddie
In the Tropics somewhere between the port of indecision and southeast of disorder!
"Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people."
One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching!
Re: I am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt.
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#78374 01/19/0602:43 AM01/19/0602:43 AM
Poor baby...get him to the best exotic vet you can find...there are lists for specialty vets on this website. I can tell you it makes all the difference to take him to someone who treats sugar gliders on a daily basis.
Those toes are necrotic and the vet needs to evaluate to determine the next course of action....saline isn't gonna fix that.
Hugs and best of wishes and prayers....
Re: I am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt.
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#78375 01/19/0602:46 AM01/19/0602:46 AM
Ouchy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> that looks like it hurts.. Give him lots of extra love and kisses. I wil be hoping for the best <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/muchlove.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Re: I am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt.
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#78376 01/19/0602:47 AM01/19/0602:47 AM
I'll see how he's doing in the morning. He doesn't seem to be in pain for some reason. He's eating, drinking, climbing, and trying to jump. He even wants to play! He did get a lil mad at me when I was soaking his foot. That was the first time he ever yelled at me...
If it still looks bad or looks worse in the morning, I'll bring him to one of those vets... not that it matters much, but anyone have any idea of the cost factor here so I'm prepared? I never had to bring a glider to the vet before...
Re: I am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt...
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#78382 01/19/0602:59 AM01/19/0602:59 AM
Dan, after seeing these pics, I have to agree...you need to take this baby in to a vet. I would have to recommend a different one though if the one you went to thinks it would fall off on its own, or was he by chance, just talking the toes? Also, with him still in with mom and dad there may be a chance that they start to mess with it as well. This situation could get worse than it already is so I would suggest taking him back in.
Let us know if we can help you out in any way, whether you need a new vet or just have more questions. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" />
Every vet is different, but I would figure anywere from $100- $500. All depends on the vet. Make sure he isn't constantly licking it or chewing, if so get to the vet asap. Please keep us posted
Eddie
In the Tropics somewhere between the port of indecision and southeast of disorder!
"Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people."
One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching!
Re: I am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt.
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#78384 01/19/0603:03 AM01/19/0603:03 AM
4 vet visits for the glider I have cost me about $400 over the weekend....
At the Exotic vet the vist was about $40, fluids $20, meds $40 and misc $20
but each vet is different...so it could be a more if the foot needs to be amputated.
Let me caution you...dead limbs (toes, feet) do not hurt..the feeling is gone...but your animal can become septic with a blood infection from the bacteria that are involved with this process...I am not supprised it doesn't hurt......watch him closely....
Re: I am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt...
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#78385 01/19/0603:03 AM01/19/0603:03 AM
Yes, he was just referring to the toes. He thinks the foot and big toe are ok... it looks like the toes with nails on them may be dead... :-( So he said yes, if they are dead, they will fall off and he will heal fine on his own... I'll bring him back to him in the morning, and if he recommends surgery, I'll ask him if he wants to do it or if he thinks I should bring it to someone that has more experience with gliders. He's a very nice guy and is very honest. I trust him. He's been VERY good to me when it comes to my reptiles.
Re: I am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt.
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#78386 01/19/0603:04 AM01/19/0603:04 AM
As far as cost goes, all vets are different. I can tell you that when I take Nicky into the vet to have his teeth checked it usually runs @ $63.00...... --$29.00 exotic recheck --$16.00 dental --$18.00 shot of torb for any pain Then if I need oral meds it usually runs @ $15.00 more With this type of injury tho, it's hard to tell, especially if he needs surgery.
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 am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt...
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#78387 01/19/0603:13 AM01/19/0603:13 AM
Although I do not like what the vet had to say about any of the dead parts falling off he is right in a way. We recently got in a female glider that had a similar injury. The people did not take her to a vet and the toes and part of the foot had fallen off. Thankfully it did not get infected! She is ok now but if she had been in our care I would have wanted antibiotics and pain meds for her right away.
Besides the danger of gangrene the other problem with letting the dead tissue die and fall off is bone exposure. A good vet can remove dead tissue and what bone he has to and pull healthy tissue and skin over the exposed area. They will usually heal nicely then. In a case like this you always have to watch for the glider chewing on the damaged area. Give the pain meds and be prepared with an e collar if needed. Charlie H
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> He's a very nice guy and is very honest. I trust him. He's been VERY good to me when it comes to my reptiles.
<hr /></blockquote><font class="post"> [:"green"]Dan, I know how you feel about trusting him because of his excellent care of your reptiles... However... When I lived in Michigan, I had an excellent vet that I took my Uromastyxes, cats, dogs & birds to... He was a wonderful guy & a great vet. But he didn't have any experience with sugar gliders until mine came along... I thought it didn't matter, that he could care for them anyway. Unfortunately, I found out the hard way that it did matter. My first two gliders, that were under his care, died from Hind Leg Paralysis (HLP). He thought they had an infection and treated them accordingly. Unfortunately, he was wrong, so they didn't get the treatment they needed that would have kept them alive. I'm not telling you this to scare you or to "warn you away" from your vet. But I do think that you need to evaluate what is best for your glider at this point... A glider-experienced vet would be the best option at this point. (BTW, my father is a retired veterinarian and he concurs with this opinion.) Sugar Gliders are very unique animals & have different needs than most other animals that American vets are used to.
As a recommendation... I don't know how close it is to you, but... If you can get your little guy over to the University of Pennsylvania vet School, they will be able to truly help him, evaluate him & do whatever needs to be done to help him survive & live a full & healthy life (with or without his foot). (There was recently someone else from NJ here on GC that took her glider there & received excellent care.) Looking at the pictures, it is my opinion that partial amputation is probably necessary, but I'm not a vet...
Please, please, please, get this little guy to a vet who has experience with sugar gliders... Ultimately, the decision is yours, of course... In the meantime, my prayers are with you & your little one... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
There is some good advice posted already, so to avoid redundancy I'll just say I agree with Charlie.
I do want to add that in the case that the little guy does loose his foot, and that there are no other ill effects from the loss (infection or otherwise) that Gliders can do quite fine despite the loss of a limb. A glider that we recently took in, "Victor" is missing his back right foot and he does exceptionaly well. (PIC) He's a cute little guy that doesn't let his disability stop him from doing the things that every other glider can. He runs in his wheel like a pro, climbs all over his cage and the tent without trouble (his favoite game is "Bombing Isabella" which is dropping himself like a "bomb" from the top of the tent down on top of Isabella), and can cling to me like velcro while I walk around with him.
I just wanted to share this with you so that in the case that your little boy loses his foot, he can still be happy. Our Victor acts like he doesn't even know he's missing it.
Re: I am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt.
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#78391 01/19/0611:11 AM01/19/0611:11 AM
It's there, Badgersdaddy...I was having that problem last night, I think it's from GC being transferred back to the larger server-they show up eventually.
To put a blunt face on this..I had what is called necrotizing fasciitis..or flesh eating bacteria. I lost part of a thumb to it, as part of the thumb died and had to be removed. THAT part hurt until the pressure was released. Within hours, I ALSO had blood poisoning. The whole thing from onset took just over 24 hours, and it took 3 days of IV antibiotics in the hospital to get it under control, and it easily could have killed me in hours. People, because they have no fur, it is much, much easier to see when blood poisoning starts as a red line that stretches from the injury site and goes toward the heart up the limb. That's the only indication you get is that thin red line. It doesn't hurt. You don't feel it. But it will kill you.
In gliders, their instinct is to HIDE pain and injury. In the wild, a sick or wounded glider is a dead glider, and a target. So they don't let on there's a problem until they CAN'T hide it any more...by which time it's frequently too late to help. You won't see if blood poisoning sets in, because the skin is not exposed. Please, PLEASE either have your vet or another get dead tissue off and an antibiotic to prevent blood poisoning. In an animal as small as a glider it will take no time at all to kill if it sets in, if it can do what it did to me in 3 hours. The painkiller is to prevent self mutilation (or the glider trying to amputate it himself). There is a sticky thread at the top of this forum on self mutilation and how to make an ecollar..in pictures. Gliders are not like the domesticated animals or even the exotics we have had in this country for many, many years, and a lot is known about...they are relatively new, marsupial (which is a whole different class of mammal), not many vets know tons about them, and we know less than even the vets in Austrailia do. I have gone against vets when I had to, and had one responsible for killing two of mine out of ignorance (tho he seemed to think he knew what he was doing)--it's nothing against your vet, but where marsupials are concerned they are NOT all equal. I do not want to come on to find he died of this when I know it's not necessary and is preventable. So PLEASE either insist on treatment or find a vet who will treat this properly. The dead tissue needs to come off before it spreads and takes more with it, or becomes blood poisoning that will be difficult if not impossible to stop, and make your baby critically ill in the process.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
Re: I am so [censored]' upset... baby glider hurt.
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#78393 01/19/0612:08 PM01/19/0612:08 PM
I see your post???? If you are talking about the victor one.
Dan, please, as I asked last night, keep us updated on this little guy and its good to see someone doing all they can for their baby. You are a wonderful glider dad!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />