GliderCENTRAL

Lump in pouch - anyone experienced similar

Posted By: Anonymous

Lump in pouch - anyone experienced similar - 07/25/06 03:21 AM

Hello all, it seems that the ony time I get to post is when one of the kids is having problems.

A quick update - we finally got the new glider palace built - you can see pictures here

Wally's cheek is completely healed up - to the point where you can't even tell the cyst had been there.

Two weeks ago we noticed that the area around Minnie's pouch was discolored. We took her to the vet right away - the vet found that there was a lump inside Minnie's pouch, which was very red and inflamed, and she had lost more weight (not dangerously low, but enough to be concerned). As a first step, we put Minnie on antibiotics for 8 days. On Saturday, I took Minnie back to the vet, and while her weight has not increased, the lump is no longer inflamed and red, but it hasn't decreased in size either. Dr. Metari thinks that the lump may be in one of Minnie's mammory glands.

The vet is recommending that we have a Fine Needle Asperate (sp) done and test to see if the pathologist can determine what the cause of the lump is. The current possibilities seem to be a cyst or a tumor (benign or malignent).

Has anyone else's gliders developed a lump in their pouch (FYI - Minnie has never had a joey, Wally was neutered before we introduced them), and what was the cause?

Thanks
Posted By: KattyM

Re: Lump in pouch - anyone experienced similar - 07/25/06 05:48 AM

Wow, you and your babies have been/are going through some tough times. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> I haven't had experience with lumps in the pouch, or inflamed mammary glands.

Here are a couple of somewhat related posts:

iamjacks: Help! Swollen female pouch
Pouch problems

Maybe you can PM iamjacks. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - anyone experienced similar - 07/25/06 07:47 PM

Thanks for the reply and links.

I'm out of town this week for work, but Gilles was playing with Minnie last night and noticed that she was fussing with her pouch more again. He is taking Minnie back to the vet this afternoon, armed with the posts above and some more information from a vet clinic in Seattle that we took Wally to when we lived there.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - anyone experienced similar - 08/03/06 07:08 PM

Gilles decided to have the Fine Needle Asperate (s) done when he took Minnie back to the vet. We got the results yesterday, and it is the worst of news - epithelial cell tumor.

I'm doing some research today on other gliders with similar issues, but we will have to decide tonight or tomorrow if we want to have the lump removed or not. We are leaning towards having it removed, just want to make sure we have all of the best information about the implications and post-surgery care that we can have.

Our vet has never done this surgery on a suggie, but she has already talked to a vet in New York who has (successfully).

Any suggestions on places to look for info (and prayers) will be happily accepted.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - anyone experienced similar - 08/04/06 06:07 AM

I'm so sorry you got bad news, that must be so scary! Prayers and healing thoughts to you and your baby! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Lump in pouch - anyone experienced similar - 08/04/06 07:17 AM

[:"green"]Although I have no experience with pouch/mammary gland tumors, I do have a glider who had a tumor on his chest scent gland a couple of years ago. The vet was able to successfully remove it. There has been no recurrence & Cricky is still very healthy...
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - anyone experienced similar - 08/04/06 10:45 AM

I am so sorry. I have been hearing about more females with breast cancer lately. Dr. Effie has teated some here that I know of..she is at City Vet in Dallas. Perhaps your vet could talk to her. She is a wonderful vet and great with the gliders. Her number is 214.219.2838
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Angie
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - tumor will have to be removed - 08/07/06 01:14 AM

Minnie's surgery is scheduled for Thursday (the earliest that they can do it).

We picked up some Medicam yesterday, as it seemed like Minnie may have been in some pain - she is still losing weight, and isn't very active. She is still on Baytril, and the vet is going to put her one a second antibiotic (I think it is called Metrinidozal) after the surgery. The biggest concern for the vet (other than the normal concerns whenever you sedate a small animal) is whether the tissue around the lump will be elastic enough to cover the entire area that needs to be removed. On the advise of the vet she has talked to, she is planning to use sub-q sutures, which will hopefully mean that Minnie will not pick at them.

Our vet is planning to keep Minnie at the clinic overnight for observation, hopefully it won't stress her or Wally out too much to be separated.

Now we just have to get Minnie through the next few days without losing any more weight, and getting her as strong as possible. She is still eating some, just not as much as normal. Last night I gave her a 1/2 tsp of Ensure, and she licked it all up over the 1 1/2 hours that I spent with her. She did go exploring some as well, so that is positive.

We are keeping positive, spending extra time with both her and Wally, and doing everything that we can (including Reiki'ing her) in the meantime.

Thanks for all of the info and thoughts.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - tumor will have to be removed - 08/07/06 01:25 AM

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Minnie. Please keep us updated on how she is doing.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Angie
Posted By: msparks

Re: Lump in pouch - tumor will have to be removed - 08/09/06 01:23 PM

Minnie,

Any updates? By the way, I love the glider palace. Do you happen to have instructions on how to make it??

Hope all is well!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - tumor will have to be removed - 08/09/06 06:22 PM

Looks like my post from last night didn't take for some reason.

Minnie has been doing better the last few nights - much more active - and she seems to have regained a little bit of weight.

Michelle - Gilles says that he will post some close-up pictures and information on how we built it soon. It took a lot of work, but wasn't actually that hard - the hardest part was bending the wire. We used zip-ties every 2 squares to hold the pieces together - once they are properly aligned, that was often enough to not leave holes that a toe could get caught in. We used the same wire as the cage to make 4 shelves - they provide just enough rigidity so that we didn't need an external frame. The feeding area is attached to the main area with plastic wing nuts for easy removal and cleaning.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - tumor will have to be removed - 08/09/06 08:30 PM

Oh no, that's awful! Our thoughts are with you, please be sure to keep us updated and believe she WILL be okay!!!
Posted By: msparks

Re: Lump in pouch - tumor will have to be removed - 08/09/06 10:32 PM

Thanks.

My prayers are with you that Minnie has a speedy recovery.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - tumor will have to be removed - 08/10/06 12:27 AM

My prayers are with you and your lovely gliders. I hope my babies will remain okay, so I have nothing to worry about.

This is a little off topic..but your glider palace is wonderful! Do you have instructions on how to make it and perhaps an estimated price that it cost you to make it?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - tumor will have to be removed - 08/10/06 02:26 AM

My Reiki Master has been teaching me to do distance Reiki this past month. I'm sending all the energy I can to you and your Minnie. I hope the surgery goes well.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - tumor will have to be removed - 08/10/06 05:08 AM

Add my prayers to those going out to Minnie. I hope the surgery goes well tomorrow.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - anyone experienced similar - 08/10/06 06:45 AM

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> Hugs, thoughts and prayers to you and Minnie. Keep positive thoughts and things will be fine. We will pray for God to guide the vet's hand tomorrow in surgery and also that Minnie will have a rapid and easy recovery. Let us know how things go tomorrow.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - anyone experienced similar - 08/10/06 02:48 PM

Waiting to hear good news
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Angie
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - anyone experienced similar - 08/10/06 05:29 PM

Sending hugs your way! Hope surgery is successful. I guess this is just another thing to watch out for with my baby girl.

Waiting for good news! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - surgery went well - 08/10/06 06:45 PM

Thanks for the all the thoughts, well wishes, prayers and Reiki (I've been Reiki'ing Minnie at least an hour a night for the past week and an half). <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" />

I just heard from the vet. The surgery went well, Minnie was stable throughout, and has started to come out of the sedation. There turned out to be two distinct lumps, but there was a good layer of facia (sp) between the lumps and her internals, so it looks good that they have not spread.

Due to the amount of material that they had to remove, the vet had to close up Minnie's pouch. This was something that the vet had been concerned about and had already discussed with a more experienced vet. Of course, the first thing that Minnie did when she started to come out of the anesthetic was to try to open her pouch. The vet was prepared for this, and had an e-collar at the ready. Minnie doesn't like the collar very much and the pouch I sent her with doesn't have enough room for her with the collar on, so they are making a temporary pouch. The vet also gave Minnie some of the stronger pain medication (the one that starts with a T - I can't remember the name right now), and they will continue to monitor her for the rest of the day. If she does well for the rest of the day, then we will bring her home tonight, otherwise she will go to the 24 hour clinic for monitoring overnight.

So it is now recovery time (and wait to see what the pathology report says). I will be bringing Minnie to work with me tomorrow so that I can monitor her through the day. The vet is recommending that we keep Minnie and Wally seperated for 10 to 14 days, but that also depends on how stressed they are about being apart.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - post-pouch removal care - 08/10/06 06:47 PM

I would appreciate any information from others who have had female suggies that had to have their pouch removed/closed.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - Minnie is home - 08/11/06 01:14 AM

Minnie is home. She is none too happy, especially with the e-collar, but she settled down fairly well at the vet's after they put it on and drank some Ensure (about 1 1/2 cc is what the vet tech said) and ate a little bit of melted BML this afternoon for them.

Medicam and Baytril for another 7 days, and likely leave the e-collar on for at least that long is what the vet expects. They want to check her in about a week to see how the site is doing.

One of the lumps looked like it was about the size of a small pea, but the other one was rather large (considering the size of Minnie - she weighed about 75 grams last night). They will both be sent to the pathologist - should have the results in a week.

Right now Minnie is laying in a pouch that the vet made for her (the regular one does not have a large enough opening for the e-collar) on the bottom of the travel cage. I'm going to let her rest like that for another hour, and the see if I can either get her into one of our pouches that is larger, or at least get the pouch so that it is not resting on the bottom of the cage.
Posted By: msparks

Re: Lump in pouch - Minnie is home - 08/11/06 01:20 AM

Thanks for the update. Prayers are with you all.
Posted By: Xglider

Re: Lump in pouch - Minnie is home - 08/11/06 01:25 AM

Glad she is hope and through surgery.. thanks for the update… still sending prayers and <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: sugarlope

Re: Lump in pouch - Minnie is home - 08/11/06 02:12 AM

I am so happy to hear that the surgery went well and that she is home now (there is just no better place to be). My thoughts are with you both for her full, and quick, recovery.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Lump in pouch - Minnie is home - 08/11/06 05:21 AM

i am amazed at this posting! i am so sorry that minnie became ill and glad that she made it through and is resting well. ok, sending good loving thoughts your way as i light a candle.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help - she slipped the e-collar off - 08/11/06 07:11 AM

Well, I was checking on Minnie every hour, and she is feeling well enough to have slipped the e-collar off between the 11:30pm and 12:30am checks. It doesn't look like she damaged the site at all, and we were able to slip the collar back on her, but I'm concerned that she will just slip it off again. Right now she is in a pouch around my neck, and seems to have settled down.

I found the instructions for making an e-collar, and the link to the Self Mutalation site yesterday, but all of the links on that site are not working (under re-construction). I'm going to go looking again, but if someone can please send me, or direct me to an active link, for the template for an e-collar, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers, please keep them coming while Minnie recovers.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Help - she slipped the e-collar off - 08/11/06 07:31 AM

I found a link to plans for an e-collar (on the Emergency Vet Fund site) in the Emergency Kit post.

I'm going to print them out and Gilles to the store in the morning to get some plastic and moleskin.

I think that the biggest problem may be that the collar the vet put on is quite wide, so Minnie can't comfortably sleep with it on. I'm going to move the travel cage from in the glider room to beside my bed, and keep her in the large pouch that I have her in right now. Hopefully she will get some rest, and not fuss with the collar until we can get the supplies to make her a better one.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - looking good - 08/11/06 06:02 PM

We made it through the night <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />. Minnie rested until just after 5am this morning, at which time she wanted out of the pouch and then started trying to get out of the collar again.

It was time for her next dose of Baytril, so I gave that and some more Ensure to her - which she happily lapped up. It looked like there was a little bit of blood in her poo, so I left a message for the vet, who opened in another 2 hours, and we both settled back in for another nap.

I took Minnie back to the vet at 8:30 this morning, and they decided to keep her there for the day for observation. The vet was a bit concerned about the blood in her poo, mainly if it is an indication of a rare side effect of the Medicam.

I also took the printouts of the 'shot glass' style e-collar instructions, and they were going to see what they could do, either with the current, standard, collar or with a more 'shot glass' style collar.

I just talked to the vet and all is well <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />. Minnie has pooed again and it looked normal (no blood). The vet thinks that the recal lining may have been irritated by the thermometer from taking her temperature yesterday.

They have taken the e-collar off of her, and are watching her closely, but so far no messing with the pouch, and she is sleeping.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - looking good - 08/12/06 09:17 PM

We made it through another day and night (checking on Minnie every 1/2 hour), and most of today - this time without the e-collar. So far so good, she has groomed the entire area, but is not fussing with the site.

She wasn't as active last night, and seemed to be in a bit of discomfort moving around early this morning, but is still eating - mostly Ensure or Ensure mixed with an Insectivore food (Harrison's Recovery Formula) that the vet sent home with her yesterday.

We are checking on her every hour, but otherwise leaving her to sleep.

One question for those of you out there that have a glider that has had an incision - how long have you kept the pair apart? Wally is still in the 'palace' and Minnie is in a travel cage - this is the first time that they have been apart since we got them 7 years ago. Right now the travel cage is on the other side of the room during the day, and we have moved it into our bedroom overnight (to make it easier to check on her). We let both of them out for about 15 minutes of shared play time last night. Wally spent most of the time with his head in the area of Minnie's stomach. She didn't make any noise to indicate that he was bothering her, but I didn't want him to start fussing with the site either. I'd appreciate any information and advise from those who have been through this.

Thanks again for the continued prayers and good wishes.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - question - 08/12/06 11:00 PM

One more question for those of you who have gliders that have had surgery - how often did you check on them when they were not wearing an e-collar?
Posted By: SarahW

Re: Update on Minnie - question - 08/13/06 12:51 AM

Well, when Joey had his penis forks removed, he hated the collar. For the first two days he spent a lot of time trying to get it off and the rest of his time trying to sleep. I put a shoebox on its side and draped fleece over it for privacy as well as putting fleece in the corner to sleep on. I found that keeping him with me during the day in a large bonding pouch let him rest, and then at night I did tent time with my gentler female glider. It picked up his spirits greatly to play with another glider. After a few days I let her nap during the day with him.

Once the collar comes off, I still kept him in the pouch during the day, checking on him when I felt him move or every hour, whichever was shorter. At night I pretty much camped out near the cage for the first couple days, doing homework and reading while he ate and ran in the wheel, played with him in the tent, and put a sleeping bag on the floor. It sucked, and it may have been overkill because he never went after himself, but on the other hand I would have been right there in an emergency.

Now, the other gliders were NOT fans of the collar, and when it came off, there was a little skin rubbed raw. The girls sniffed that area but didn't mess with it.

Prayers and hopes heading your way...
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - so far so good - 08/14/06 01:40 AM

Just a quick update - Things are going well, since there had been no signs of trouble, we cut back to checking on Minnie every two hours last night and she slept though most of it. I carried her in a pouch with me for most of the day, and she slept pretty much the entire time, although she did wake up briefly to eat a pumpkin seed - first one she has wanted in a while.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - so far so good - 08/14/06 04:13 AM

I am happy for the good report! I have been thinking of you both so often, please give her a kiss from me.
Angie
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - it is cancer - 08/14/06 09:57 PM

I just got a call from the vet. She got the preliminary results from the pathologist, and it is a malignent carcenoma and it was all the way out to the edges of the mass that was removed. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Minnie goes in for a check on the site on Wednesday, so I will get more information then.
Posted By: bugsmama

Re: Update on Minnie - it is cancer - 08/15/06 02:27 AM

AWW!! I'm so sorry it was cancerous! I am praying they removed all of it!! Hang in there!And good luck on Wednesday! <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="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - it is cancer - 08/15/06 01:27 PM

Oh no!! You and Minni are in our prayers. We all just have to believe that they got it all. Honestly, that could be the case, my aunt had thyroid surgery to remove her thyroid because it was not working and had a knot in it. The docs said it didn't appear to be cancer and were not concerned, but once it was out and sent off for testing, it came back as cancer. Luckily, when they did the surgery, that had removed ALL of the cancer and she is still cancer free. So, NEVER EVER give up hope. BIG SUGGIE HUGS to you!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - it is cancer - 08/17/06 02:33 PM

Hi all,

Yesterday was vet check day for Minnie - everything is healing well and Minnie hasn't been fussing with the site at all (although she has been doing a lot more grooming than I have normally seen). The vet hasn't recieved the final report from the pathologist yet, so we are still in a wait and see pattern in that regard. One piece of good news is that Minnie has gained weight - she is now 71 grams, but she still feels and looks very thin to me.

I put Minnie in with Wally last night and the night before since they were both appearing upset when they were separated after playtime. I put a lot of extra pouches and sleeping places in the cage last night, since the night before Minnie has slept in a plastic igloo on the floor most of the night (and then under the paper at the bottom of the cage for the rest of the night). I think that she stayed in one pouch all of last night - at least she was in it the couple of times I got up and checked on her.

Minnie hasn't been eating much other than the Ensure, with and without the insectivore Recovery Formula, and about 1/2 a grape a day. She has probably been eating/drinking about 1 Tablespoon of Ensure a day, so I am starting to cut back on that a bit and see if she starts eating more of the regular food. With the two of them together, it will be harder to tell how much Minnie is actually eating, other than what I see her eat during playtime, so we are going back on Saturday for another weight check.
Posted By: Xglider

Re: Update on Minnie - it is cancer - 08/17/06 02:54 PM

Hugs to all of you, know you are thought of and prayed for… <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - it is cancer - 08/17/06 04:15 PM

You are taking such good care of her. She is very lucky to have you. Both you and Minnie will be in our prayers. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - she's messing with stitches - 08/20/06 12:29 AM

Hi all, just a quick update.

After 7 days, it was time to take Minnie off the Medicam. Last night was the first night with no pain meds, and almost immediately she started fussing with the site. One of the stiches (they are all independent loops) had been partly pulled out, and she was obviously trying to pull it out. I'm not sure if she had pulled it out herself or if Wally had snagged it or if it had started to absorb and released itself, but there was a distinct loop sticking out at the top of her pouch.

We got the e-collar that the vet had given us on her, but she spent most of the night fighting it and still is not happy at all. Since we were able to get the collar on so that she wasn't able to get it off, there was no bleeding from the site, and we were already scheduled to go back to the vet for a weight check this morning, we decided to see how the night went before rushing to the emergency vet. Other than trying to get the collar off most of the time when she wasn't being held on my stomach, it was a fairly quite night.

The visit to the vet went fairly well, everything is healing well, she hasn't lost any of the weight (may have gained a little bit, but it is hard to say for sure with the collar on) and she hadn't done any damage. The vet snipped the loose stitch off and cleaned up an large scabbed area, but is happy with the way it is healing. The vet put her back on Medicam for another 5 days and wants us to keep the collar on her for 24 hours before trying it off again.

I have the materials to make the "shot glass" style e-collar, but need to find the template (I'm about to go searching now). I would really appreciate if anyone can send me or point me to the template (I found the one from the EVF fund, but it doesn't look like it is the same shape, and when I print it out the dimensions don't match with what is shown in the image).

P.S. I sent a PM to Xfilefan - hopefully will hear from her soon.
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Update on Minnie - she's messing with stitches - 08/20/06 12:57 AM

[:"blue"] I looked and couldn't find the dimensions either.

Jen usually comes on later at night so hopefully she will be able to help you.

Just remembered I have a couple of Jen's. It is 2 1/4" wide X 7 1/2" long. I hope that helps. [/]
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Update on Minnie - she's messing with stitches - 08/20/06 01:11 AM

[:"blue"] Here are the photos of Jen's e-collar plans and here are the directions:

[/]ECOLLAR INSTRUCTIONS

1.) Trace template onto clear plastic notebook cover, then cut out.
2.) 1 sheet Dr. Scholls molefoam- cut 2 strips ¼” along long edge.
3.) Remove one adhesive strip and stick one on top of another leaving one adhesive strip for later.
4.) Cut ¾” off of dual layer molefoam- remove backing and adhese to clear plastic as shown.
5.) 1 sheet moleskin- sut a strip 1-3/8” wide down length
6.) Cut slits ½” deep at ½ “ intervals down length
7.) Turn collar over molefoam side down. Remove backing from moleskin. Affix uncut edge to collar- about ¼” of it
8.) From the middle of moleskin- wrap around over molefoam, maintaining contours. Trim excess mole from edge.
9.) Cut 1/2” strip from moleskin
10.) Remove backing and adhese over slitted mole skin.
11.) Cut 1 strip 1-3/4” long X 5/8” wide
12.) Remove backing and place on edge of collar
13.) Wrap around edge of collar
14.) The Complicated Collar- Apply a small amount of duct tape, Fold a small amount of duct tape over to make a tab for easy removal.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - she's messing with stitches - 08/20/06 01:14 AM

Thanks Karen.

The dimensions say 2 1/4" wide and 4 1/2" straight across the inner edge. When I print the image, it comes out more like 2" wide.

This is the first time that I've had to use the e-collar, so I really want to make sure that it is the right size.
Anyone else have a template image that is the right size?
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Update on Minnie - she's messing with stitches - 08/20/06 01:22 AM

[:"blue"] I have measured everyway and I can't get the 4 1/2 inner edge. I used a tape measure and went around the bottom edge to get mine second measurement. I didn't see any dimensions on Jen's directions unless I just missed them.

I even put my bifocles on <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> [/]
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - she's messing with stitches - 08/20/06 02:01 AM

I just heard from Jen. She sent me a file with the template, and I'm going to print it out now. Hopefully it will come out the right size.
Posted By: KarenE

Re: Update on Minnie - she's messing with stitches - 08/20/06 02:07 AM

[:"blue"] <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" /> Jen. [/]
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - she's messing with stitches - 08/20/06 05:25 AM

Thanks Jen and Karen. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" />

I made the e-collar and we got it on Minnie. She still doesn't like it, but she isn't as off balance with this one as the traditional one that the vet put on her. We had to trim the width of the collar a bit, and I had to combine two pieces of moleskin to go all the way around the inside edge (our moleskin in Canada is 4 1/8" in length, the moleskin in the US must be about 5"), so I alternated which end the second piece was on, and it seems to have worked ok.

Minnie has had the collar on for almost 1/2 hour now, and she is able to walk around - big improvement. She is in a back-pack style pouch that I am carrying right now, and is quite calm. I'm going to put the pouch in the travel cage and put it beside the bed for the night, and see if she will stay calm and let me get a bit of sleep.

I'll post an update in the morning.

Thanks again.
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Update on Minnie - she's messing with stitches - 08/20/06 11:18 AM

[:"green"]Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear that the e-collar is working okay for her now that you've got the shot-glass style collar on her. Hopefully she'll leave the site alone when the collar comes back off since the vet extended her treatment of Medicam.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - she's messing with stitches - 08/20/06 05:35 PM

Morning. We made it through another night, but neither of us got much sleep. Minnie would calm down for about 1/2 hour, and then she would start fighting the e-collar again, and keep at it until she pretty much exhausted herself. Looking at it, you wouldn't know that it was new at 10pm last night - it is all scratched up, and has holes chewed through it in several places. I'm not sure if we didn't get it on her properly or not, because the pictures don't look like what we ended up with it on her, and they don't look like a glider could get at the plastic to bite through it.

She managed to slip it off once during the night, but I caught her at it and we got it right back on her. She got it off again this morning just as Gilles was getting up to take over. She isn't messing with the stiches, so we are going to try leaving the collar off and see how it goes.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - she's messing with stitches - 08/22/06 02:30 PM

Things are still going well. Minnie hasn't been fussing with the site at all, and seems to be getting back to her normal self (although she is still sleeping a lot).
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - still going well - 08/25/06 07:02 PM

Minnie is still doing well, although still sleeping a lot more than normal. She hasn't fussed with the site anymore, and is back in with Wally again (they both get so upset when they are apart).

Friday night will be the next test, as we are supposed to stop the Medicam again after tonight. I'm going to have a close look at the site tonight and if it still has an exposed stiches, I'm going to talk to the vet tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the thoughts, prayers, and help.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - still going well - 08/28/06 06:44 PM

Hi all. Minnie is still doing well <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />, but is still sleeping a lot. She will sleep until I get her up in the evening, and then doesn't stay out for more than 1/2 an hour. She is coming out during the night some to eat, as I saw her out and eating some of the fruit and veggies the evening before last.

The vet is happy with the way the site is healing, and Minnie has gained another gram (up to 73 grams now). We kept the Medicam going over the weekend and tonight, so tomorrow night will be the next test.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - still going well - 09/05/06 06:49 PM

Minnie is now off of Medicam and isn't messing with the site at all. YEAH!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />

She still isn't very active and I have to get her up at night, but she seems to be stable weight wise. I'll be taking her back to the vet this week for a check-up, so will post an update then.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - still going well - 09/05/06 07:15 PM

Thank you for the great update. I think about you and Minnie alot and keep you both in my prayers.
Angie
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - still going well - 09/07/06 03:44 AM

Thanks for all the updates. She is so very lucky to have ya'll as parents. You're doing such an incredible job. I continue to send prayers and good luck wishes your way <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - still going well - 09/07/06 04:10 AM

I'm so glad Minnie is doing well. You are being such great glider parents with all the care and attentiveness you are giving her. I hope she continues to heal well and gets back to her old self soon.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Update on Minnie - still going well - 09/07/06 06:56 PM

Minnie had her check-up yesterday, and everything is great. She is maintaining her weight (72 grams) and the site is healing up wonderfully.

Her nails were getting long (probably due to the decreased activity level), so the vet trimmed them while we were there.

Minnie didn't want to come out of the coconut last night at playtime, so I brought it out of the cage and fed her crickets by hand (she ate 5). I looked in on them when I got up to the bathroom during the night, and Minnie was out and eating. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />
© 2024 GliderCENTRAL