GliderCENTRAL

Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update)

Posted By: Anonymous

Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/27/09 07:48 AM

Spaz's neutered area is opened again. We can stop him from getting at it with his mouth (even made an ecollar but he's so upset right now we couldn't get it on him), but he's rubbing it all over the side of the cage. He's running around the cage like a maniac.

I've tried to call the vet several times. There are no emergency clinics in the area that take exotics.

Does anyone have any suggestions? How do I get him to calm down?
Posted By: WintersSong

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/27/09 08:07 AM

Poor little guy....
I do not know of any ay to stop this, but in my area there are no e-vets that will take gliders either. What my vet has told me to do is this: show up anyway. Do not call and ask "do you take gliders?", just show up if its truly an emergency. They might try and tell you no, but just stay. Wait.. and wait..and wait... especially if it's your only option. She claims that more often than not they will see that you are truly desperate and try to help.

Be prepared to educate the vet on sugar gliders,
and have the list of vets that will do phone consults with you... I haven't had to go to an e-vet yet, but I have a binder full of stuff that comes with me to the vet each time.
Posted By: chattrbabe

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/27/09 10:17 AM

Get a piece of fleece and wrap him like a burrito in it. have another person help you by holding him. Get that e collar back on him asap. Put it a little tighter and hold him a minute or two. Watch his nose to make sure it doesnt turn purple. If it does, make the collar a hair looser. If you need to call me, my number is 480 246 5668
Posted By: suggiemom1980

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/27/09 01:56 PM

How is he doing this morning???
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/27/09 02:33 PM

We found an animal hospital that would take him. He's in really bad shape. He really tore at things and they weren't experienced enough in gliders to know if he did any damage to his organs. She didn't think so, but she said it was really hard to tell.

They cleaned his wound, sutured and glued his wound. They wrapped him in a bandage really snug around his entire midbody so he can't even reach anything. They sedated him and gave him pain medicine and he's still wound up right now.

The ecollar I made by the instructions was too small for him as he's a pretty big glider. So, they recommended trying to keep it bandaged until it heals. He has three squirts of pain reliever and antibiotics. I'm going to call the vet on Monday to get more pain reliever.

After all that, he's still awake.

This is awful. He's so stressed out and I don't know how to calm him down.

I've handed him off to someone else and going to sleep a little bit.

Does anyone have a home design for the straight jacket type of contraption that was mentioned I can wrap around him once his bandages fall off?

Anything else you can think of to help this little guy?

Kerry
Posted By: Zeki

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/27/09 03:19 PM

the straight Jacket is the only thing I could use on my SM glider, to get him to just STOP, an with him on pain medicine you will notice you can do it easier, I suggest two people, one to hold him properly. an the other to wrap..
" the way I do it"
We take the bandage, not ace bandage. but the kind that they made that sticks to it's self.. I messure, from shoulder to shoulder, an we cut slits in the area, slip his feet in, all under the chest... we come up and over, his shoulders and around his chest again making like a V then we go around twice around the Neck area.. " MAKE sure his Nose doesnt turn Purple or its WAY to tight." his nose needs to be nice an Pink and pretty, like Normal.." Once we do his neck " I go once around his ribs yeah know just under the arm pit, so his upper body is stablized, I put him in a pouch and hold him, Litterally Untill they are Healed or out of Danger.. which is when the wound is almost closed fully...

Im doing this now with one of my little ones, only no Jacket is needed for her since she cant get to the back of her neck, but her paws and claws can.. My Dr said it might take Us 3 months for it to heal..but hers is a mate wound..Ill Make a wrap on Squirt tonight I think he might allow me.. an Ill get Pictures...
Someone else might do it very different.. just make sure you dont put the bandage on him tight.. and that you can get your little pinky under it and wiggle your finger.. if you cant its to tight.. on him

I sure hope your little guy is doing better..
Posted By: suggiemom1980

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/27/09 04:25 PM

Sending lots of prayers for your little guy!!! Thank God he's on pain meds now! Poor little buy! Please continue to keep us updated!
Posted By: Dancing

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/27/09 05:18 PM

I again ask you to PLEASE call Bourbon.
Posted By: chattrbabe

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/27/09 10:13 PM

I'm glad you got him into the vets. Please keep us updated on how he is doing.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/28/09 09:48 PM

Hey, Bourbon and I just spoke and she asked if there's a vet in my area that knows what they're doing. I immediately thought of Angie's vet in Huber Heights. They're a LITTLE bit of a drive, but for this, it'd be worth it. They're up by Dayton:
Northgate Vet in Huber Heights
Dr Kramer - 937-236-8070
The only problem is that they're closed right now. Their hours are:
Mon - Fri: 7am - 6pm
Saturday: 8am - 12pm

I called my e-vet and it seems as though they're the one that helped you out yesterday. I hear that they have tape on your glider right now, so I'll be looking for a new e-vet. frown Yikes.

I'm PM'ing you and I also called you a moment ago. Call me if you need help with that e-collar. I also have some on hand if you should need one.

If you need any help with the little guy, let me know. I'm always available.
Posted By: SugarBlossoms

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/29/09 12:37 AM

Did you take him to Louisville?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/29/09 01:31 AM

Originally Posted By: Amanda1981
Hey, Bourbon and I just spoke and she asked if there's a vet in my area that knows what they're doing. I immediately thought of Angie's vet in Huber Heights. They're a LITTLE bit of a drive, but for this, it'd be worth it. They're up by Dayton:
Northgate Vet in Huber Heights
Dr Kramer - 937-236-8070
The only problem is that they're closed right now. Their hours are:
Mon - Fri: 7am - 6pm
Saturday: 8am - 12pm

I called my e-vet and it seems as though they're the one that helped you out yesterday. I hear that they have tape on your glider right now, so I'll be looking for a new e-vet. frown Yikes.

I'm PM'ing you and I also called you a moment ago. Call me if you need help with that e-collar. I also have some on hand if you should need one.

If you need any help with the little guy, let me know. I'm always available.


Hi Amanda,

I got your message. I had my handful with Spaz as he was out exploring. Very sad to see but it was good he's getting exercise.

He's currently calm and sleeping. He had a slight incident with pulling at the bandage and pulling some of his hair out. If distracted, he leaves it alone.

While the e-vet wasn't experienced with gliders, and it's going to be horrible getting this tape off, they did save his life. The other e-vet wouldn't even look at him when I arrived.

The biggest problem right now is that his bandage is urine soaked. He's at least peeing. I can't get this bandage off and I'm not even going to try. I think it can wait until Monday, but I have a call into the vet.

After each of the last two surgeries, he's been fine the first night but the second night is when all [censored] breaks loose. That would be tonight and I'm crossing my fingers. The good thing with this bandage is that he can't get to anything at all - no way, no how.

My plan is to take him to the vet on Monday and have them get the bandage off and see if they can put on a jacket sort of contraption as well as the e-collar. I figured worse case scenario I'll have him call Bourbon and she can walk him through it. He's going to have to be sedated either way to get the bandage off. I figured that will be the best way to get the collar on. If that fails and I can't get the collar on, I'll give you a call Amanda.

I may call the vet you mentioned above first though and see what they say.

His current vet is really opposed to pain medicine but I'm going to insist. We gotta keep this little guy comfortable. He's sleeping in a bonding pouch on the bottom of his cage right now and I have a little heating pad on the tray underneath where the pouch is. It's not too warm and we are keeping him hydrated, but this seems the best solution for him to stay comfortable and sleep when not being held. We are putting little bells on the bonding pouch that will fall off if he even changes position. That way I'm not staring at him constantly.

Any suggestions are welcome.

I'm going to give you a call here shortly Amanda as I have some questions and see if you have any suggestions.

Thanks for everyone's help. We aren't out of the woods, but at least there are still woods.

Kerry
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/29/09 04:29 AM

Hey Kerry, didn't get a call yet, so I hope everything is okay. I'll be up 'till about 3am, so if you're still up and you need/want to talk, I'm available. It's never too late when a glider is in need. hug2 So, if ya need me, I'm here!
Posted By: suggiemom1980

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/29/09 05:32 AM

Originally Posted By: KerryB

His current vet is really opposed to pain medicine but I'm going to insist.

Any suggestions are welcome.

I'm so glad you're going to insist. It would be cruel for this baby to go through this kind of injury without pain relief. Honestly, the only other suggestion I can make is to find a different vet or have a heart-to-heart with your current vet about what you want done for your baby, that you're paying the vet to do.

Prayers being sent your way!!!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/29/09 05:54 AM

Absolutely. Connie you are SO right.
Posted By: Gizmogirl

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/29/09 07:36 AM

Sending lots of prayers for you and your baby.
Posted By: mylittleshadow

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/29/09 11:14 PM

Kerry - definately call Dr Kramer he is awesome they are the ones that did the nueter on my little guy and they sent me home with pain meds and were super nice and helpful
Northgate Animal Hospital
8668 Old Troy Pike
Huber Heights, OH 45424
Phone: 937-236-8070
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/30/09 10:20 PM

Kerry! How is the Spaz man!? I'm dyin' to know, lady! wink
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 11/30/09 10:24 PM

Just to update, Spaz did okay over the weekend. He started pulling off the hair around the tape, but he couldn't reach the wound at all. It was very sad and cute the way he tried to get around with that big of a bandage around him.

The bandage was urine soaked and he's not really eating, so I took him to the vet who's going to remove the bandage and see what can be done to keep him away from the wound. He's keeping him overnight which means we'll be able to sleep all at the same time (we've been taking shifts since Wednesday night).

He is peeing and pooping which is huge as they were most concerned about that.

The vet is suppose to call soon to let me know what's going on. I'll post what he says. Oh, and he's doing all of this without charge. This helps quite a bit given the amount we've spent on such a "routine" procedure.

Take Care,

Kerry
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 12/01/09 06:30 AM

hug2 YAY! I'm glad that they're helping that poor little man out. Let us know how all of it goes.
Posted By: LSardou

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 12/01/09 07:42 AM

Originally Posted By: Amanda1981
Northgate vet in Huber Heights
Dr Kramer - 937-236-8070
The only problem is that they're closed right now. Their hours are:
Mon - Fri: 7am - 6pm
Saturday: 8am - 12pm


Amanda, Letting you know that I added Dr. Kramer to our Vet Database.

Kerry, I'm glad to hear that you were able to find a Vet!
I will keep Spaz in my prayers. hug2
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 12/01/09 12:56 PM

Originally Posted By: LSardou
Originally Posted By: Amanda1981
Northgate vet in Huber Heights
Dr Kramer - 937-236-8070
The only problem is that they're closed right now. Their hours are:
Mon - Fri: 7am - 6pm
Saturday: 8am - 12pm


Amanda, Letting you know that I added Dr. Kramer to our Vet Database.

Kerry, I'm glad to hear that you were able to find a Vet!
I will keep Spaz in my prayers. hug2


I did call these vets before I made a decision on what to do with Spaz yesterday. They told me they had one vet who could see sugargliders and that he has only done a handful of neuters. Now, the lady answering the phone could have given me faulty info, so...
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 12/01/09 01:07 PM

They finally called last night about 9:30. He took the bandage off and said the damage was quite extensive to the point that it needs to continue to be covered.

The problem is that Spaz, the smarty pants he is, was able to mutilate the area without using his mouth. He was rubbing it on the sides of the cage. So, they have to keep this area covered until it heals further. But this area is so far down that it is going to continue to be urine soaked which means the bandages will need to be changed everyday.

Ugh... So the vet is trying to figure out what to do. If he puts an e-collar on him and no bandage, he will rub the area on whatever he can. If he bandages the area and no ecollar, he will likely continue to pull out the area on his chest and whatever else he can and the bandages will need to be changed everyday (which I doubt I can do adequately). If they put an ecollar on him and a bandage, he won't be able to move around.

They kept him overnight last night and I'm suppose to call at 9 this morning to see what he has figured out.

He really needs the bandage on because he moves around so much and there is so much damage that he will likely pull it apart. They basically taped his upper legs together so he can't split it apart.

If the vet was closer (he's 40 minutes away), I would have suggested just taking him in and changing his bandages every day. But then we can't do that over the weekend.

All this for a neuter.
Posted By: Feather

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 12/01/09 05:36 PM

Kerry,

When I had little Chewie neutered, I was worried he would SM because he was already over grooming his tail to the point it was nekid.

They sent the little man home with an ecollar around his waist like a skirt. He could eat, play, poop and pee without problems.

Maybe that would be something to consider, it would have to be on snug enough that it doesn't slide over his little hips.
Posted By: suggiemom1980

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 12/01/09 06:34 PM

I know I've been thought of as paranoid, but situations like this are why I have used an ecollar and kept the glider in a hosp cage, right next to me, for a full 24 hours minimum. It's also why I've insisted on pain meds and an antibiotic. I've always believed better safe than sorry.

I'm so sorry you're having to go thru this. I'm upset with the original vet for not sending him home with pain meds. I know he was worried about the side effects of using pain meds. Well, now we have a perfect example of NOT using pain meds.

Feather has an excellent idea! I hope that works!

Sending lots of prayers for your little man.
Posted By: Zeki

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 12/01/09 06:50 PM

We had serious simmular issues with One of our gliders in the Neutering area.. We litterally had to keep vlad with us, in a burrito form blanket.. and On Pain medicine.. his wound didnt close and heal for around 3 months.. of pure insanity and tiredness...
I sure hope your lil one gets better and soon!!
Me and my gliders send you Many kisses and Huggs an are here if you just need to vent etc..
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 12/01/09 07:03 PM

Originally Posted By: Feather
Kerry,

When I had little Chewie neutered, I was worried he would SM because he was already over grooming his tail to the point it was nekid.

They sent the little man home with an ecollar around his waist like a skirt. He could eat, play, poop and pee without problems.

Maybe that would be something to consider, it would have to be on snug enough that it doesn't slide over his little hips.


That's a great idea. I was thinking about something similar but just possibly a bulky bandage in the middle that he couldn't get down under and he would have a harder time rubbing that area. But the collar would work better as he can't get his nails caught in them so easily.

They wrapped him in a vet wrap right now. Part of the wound is still a tad open, but there was so much damage that they couldn't sew it hoping it heals from the inside out. Other parts of the wound are starting to heal allbeit very slowly.

They are going to change the bandage again on Friday and probably every 3-4 days. The biggest worry right now is him getting his nails caught in this wrap. So he'll be on 24 hour watch again.

Oh, and the vet assistant at this office was nasty. We were talking about giving him medicine and she asked if he liked oranges. My husband said "so, do you actually know anything about sugargliders?" to which she replied "I had two." We weren't treated very nice by her after that. They were trying to give us Spaz and get us out the door and we insisted on seeing the vet, which really annoyed her.

And he was suppose to be on antibiotics and she was going to let us go without them until I brought it up, to which she said "Oh yeah, he said something about that." OMG.

The vet stayed with Spaz last night and said he got very little sleep. I told him "welcome to our world."

Does anyone have suggestions for things that are VERY entertaining for them? He's not a big toy guy, but I need to find something that will get his mind off of the restricted area.

Thanks all!

Kerry
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 12/01/09 08:44 PM

Maybe apple branches, euc, acacia gum... stuff to chew on would help him stay away from that area? dunno Also foraging toys are a good distration.
Posted By: Anonymous

Update on Spaz and Question - 12/02/09 08:33 PM

Spaz is resting comfortably right now. He has not been trying to get to the forbidden area, but of course I don't think he can.

He was having a hard time pooping last night. He looked like he was in some pain. He also wasn't eating much yesterday.

We did get him to eat a couple things early in the morning, and I went to the store and have more options for him. I also hung a bunch of monkeys from the cage which he likes to knock down, so he's entertained.

He gets his bandages on Friday and we'll have a better idea how it's going.

But the question, Spaz is in ear shot of the other gliders and when they make some sort of sound he wakes up and looks in that direction. Sometimes he'll call out to them. Do you think it would be okay if I took him up to visit on the outside of the cage?

Kerry
Posted By: LSardou

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 12/02/09 08:44 PM

I don't see where that it would be a problem. If you're planning on setting his cage next to the others, make sure that you keep the cages at least 4 inches apart. Gliders have a tendency to grab for one another through the bars, which can be extremely dangerous.

I would not allow him to climb on or around the other cage though, again, they or he might get overly excited and start grabbing at each other.

Were they housed together prior to his incident? If so, and if they all got along, you could let them have some playtime together in a tent as long as they are SUPERVISED (with you being in the tent with them).

How long has he been having difficulty pooping? Have you talked to your vet about it? If not, due to the circumstance of his injury, you might want to check with your vet to see if they can suggest putting him on a stool softener. The difficulty can be a result of several things, so I do not want to suggest something due to his current situation.

Prayers are with your little one.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 12/02/09 09:03 PM

Thanks. I was just worried that it would make him sad to just visit. He has been with Sweetie for two years. The two other girls in the cage are his daughters, one is 5 months OOP and the other is about 2 months OOP. The older girl is very layed back but the younger one is high strung and grumpy.

I'm afraid to do tent time yet since he is still very sore and part of the wound is still open.
Posted By: suggiemom1980

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 12/03/09 05:46 AM

Originally Posted By: KerryB


He was having a hard time pooping last night. He looked like he was in some pain.

Roo had trouble pooping after his partial penis amputation. The vet had to put in a couple of purse strings in the cloaca because his penis (what was left) was so swollen, it wouldn't stay in. The next day, I had her take one out because he couldn't poop. He did poop then, but still hissed. the next day, she removed the remaining purse stitch and he immediately pooped, without hissing!
Posted By: Anonymous

Spaz update and Matted Fur Question - 01/02/10 01:48 PM

Hey All,

I think Spaz has finally turned the corner and his wound is healing after four surgeries. We were out of town and the vet had taken care of him. When we came back, he was no longer in a bandage (as he quit tolerating them) and the wound looks so much better with no signs of infection. It was grossly infected before we left.

The wound is almost totally closed but not quite. He has lost so much weight and there's not a lot of body fat on him when there was a lot before. He won't sleep in a pocket yet but we have a space heater by his cage. He's drinking a lot, so I'm not worried about him dehydrating.

When we got back, he wasn't moving well at all. There is not a lot of muscle tone in some parts of his body that were under the bandage. But that is getting better quickly. He's running and starting to act normal again - thank god. He seems so much happier now. We've been getting him out a couple hours a day to work on his muscles. We can put his wheel back in soon.

Now we have a problem with his fur. Since he spent over five weeks in a bandage from his neck down to his hips, his fur is in bad shape. Part of the fur is matted due to the adhesive from the tape after the surgery at the emergency clinic. Other parts of his fur are just from the lack of grooming, which I've tried to clean unsuccessfully.

So, he's pulling his fur out. He's got bald spots everywhere. Should I just let nature take its course and let him pull it all out knowing it will grow back? Or does anyone have any further suggestions?

He's not in the cage with the other gliders and won't until he's 100% better as his mate is an aggressive glider. He's also not hurting himself pulling out the fur (no sores or marks on his skin).

What do you think?
Posted By: LSardou

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 01/02/10 02:55 PM

You can try and rub a dab of vegetable oil on the areas of fur that have the adhesive, using a baby comb, gently try and work the adhesive loose. Make sure that you wipe any excess oil off. Only do a little at a time to avoid stress or further excessive grooming.
Posted By: Gizmogirl

Re: Help, the wound is open again (Spaz update) - 01/02/10 03:26 PM

I used the same method as described above but only with a todler tooth brush.
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