GliderCENTRAL
Rory diagnosed with penile infection.
Posted By: sandbat
Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/06/09 11:25 PM
Hi all,
Rory had been hissing and straining when he was going to the bathroom as of a week ago. I took him to the vet, and at first we thought it was constipation - so I tried to treat that by feeding him pumpkin and trying to find out what might've caused it. Last night at tent time he was really straining to pee, so I rushed him to the vet first thing this morning, and it turns out he has a penile infection. The vet gave me antibiotics to give him, but I'm worried he might've tried to mate with one of the girls (even though he's neutered) and spread it. I'm keeping a close eye on the Danni and Laurie, but I wanted to know what else I could be doing. Should I worry that he'll SM? Is it ecollar time, or should I just keep it on standby for now?
Posted By: LSardou
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/06/09 11:31 PM
Has he been excessively over grooming the area? If so, I strongly suggest that you get him into an ecollar to prevent any possible injury.
Did the vet tell you what type of an infection?
As far as the other gliders becoming infected with anything the chances are slim, however, depending on what is going on I can't say for certain. I would call your vet and ask her the same questions.
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/06/09 11:45 PM
He did, but I forgot the name. >.< It started with a "p." there was dried pus and musk inside his "cone" area (I thought the dried musk was fecal matter.) It looks like a buildup of the dried musk may have caused it. The vet cleaned the area, but it doesn't look like he's been overgrooming the area at all, and Danni (who has also been having a lot of constipation recently on top of all this) hasn't been overgrooming either.
Posted By: LSardou
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 12:06 AM
I would keep a close watch on him to make sure that he doesn't start to over groom the area. Have an ecollar on hand just as a precaution.
Hopefully since the vet cleaned the area and put him on antibiotics he should leave it alone.
Sending lots of hugs and prayers your way.
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 12:08 AM
Thanks. I *just* ordered a new one, and got it this past week. The last one I had fell apart from use. I hope I don't have to use it, but it's there, nonetheless.
Posted By: LSardou
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 12:12 AM
I hope so too, and this new one falls apart from old age....
Posted By: Cora
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 01:07 AM
OK let me understand..................gliders do not use their penises to urinate from ......only for reproduction................... so he has a urinary tract infection???? Or has his penis actually been out and icky??? I am just trying to understand??? Hope your boy feels better soon
Posted By: Guerita135
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 01:39 AM
If there was "pus and musk" then is there a chance that it was just him skunking? Sometimes, if gliders get stressed, they will secrete a thick white liquid that smells really strong(like a skunk). So what your vet though was a musky smell and pus, may actually have just been your glider skunking because he was stressed by the vet.
I thought that trouble urinating was from a URI, not penile infection...or is that the same thing? It does seem rather odd that he's diagnosed with a penis problem if gliders don't use their penis to pee. Personally, I'd probably have him checked by a different vet, just to make sure that he wasn't misdiagnosed.
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 02:42 AM
I don't know...I'll ask him. But the musk was black. I thought it was fecal matter.
I'm really worried. I know that any vet knows more than I do about this, but I want him to have the right diagnosis and course of treatment.
Posted By: Cora
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 03:00 AM
I take my gliders to Farmers Branch in Dallas for neuters............Dr. Murray is very glider knowledgable and good with pricing..............................might want to call them?????
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 03:03 AM
I take my gliders to Farmers Branch in Dallas for neuters............Dr. Murray is very glider knowledgable and good with pricing..............................might want to call them?????
I'm so freaked out that it's going to take me a minute to find the vet register. I've been seeing this vet for two years now, after Dr.Marshall over at Summertree moved on. If Rory was misdiagnosed, I may have to change vets. D:
Posted By: Trigger
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 03:12 AM
The only thing I could think of would be necrosis and would appear black because it is dead tissue.
I have no exp. in that area. I have had the UTI problem but there was no musky, black stuff. Snupi was given Baytril for 30 days and we have never had any trouble since.
On the other subject what diet and treats are you feeding? Are you certain that all the gliders are constipated?
I have problems with Lucy getting constipated but only with yogurt. Have you noticed if it occurs more in connection with any certain food?
Posted By: Cora
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 03:15 AM
so is Trigger right?? is any part of the penis necrotic/black in color (I had not thought of that) I just PMd you a number or 2 please call them
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 04:38 AM
The vet looked at the black matter under the microscope and said it was pus and musk. There was no black matter directly on the penis. The black matter we saw was expelled from his "cone" while we were trying to look at the penis. I will check to see if any part of his actual penis looks black tonight....if so, it'll be back to the vet before it spreads.
D:
I'm so freaked out right now.
As for the constipation; Danni, who has been constipated on and off, pooped very normally this morning. I'll see how they both are when I get off of work.
Posted By: LSardou
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 04:54 AM
I just wanted to add, that it's important to remember that 'we' are not vets, and 'we' only give you what our opinions of what things are based on what is explained to us.
It's important to try and NOT get stressed based on suggestions given here when it applies to medical issues. If your not comfortable with what was diagnosed by your vet, it's better to get a second opinion from another vet.
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 05:31 AM
I just wanted to add, that it's important to remember that 'we' are not vets, and 'we' only give you what our opinions of what things are based on what is explained to us.
It's important to try and NOT get stressed based on suggestions given here when it applies to medical issues. If your not comfortable with what was diagnosed by your vet, it's better to get a second opinion from another vet.
I know. I basically just stressed because I feel like we could've caught this earlier, when I took them to the vet last week for what I thought was constipation.
As for what I'm feeding them (I believe someone asked that earier) HPW along with around three tablespoons assorted fruits and vegetables, and about one or two mealies a day for treats. The fruits and vegetables include mango, blueberries, strawberries, apples, carrots, peas, green beans (not lima!) cucumber, zucchini, and pumpkin.
Danni is kind of getting fluffy and has been constipated a lot. I think that part of it is because she is less active than the others (she's not a big fan of their stealth, whereas Rory and Laurie spend a lot of time on it and are svelte and trim.) They have two water sources - a small dish along with their water bottle, which gets changed once every week/week and a half.
This is really the worst time this could happen. I only have about $300 left in my vet fund because of recent dental and automobile expenses. I was hoping to be able to hold out until the first of May, when I'll have enough to throw a lot back into my vet fund. I know a lot of it was genuine need and times are hard right now economically, but I'm really kicking myself over letting it get that low. I'm hoping I have enough to cover until May 1 if I do end up having to get a second opinion.
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 10:56 PM
Well, last night he was *very* bouncy and playful - before, there was something obviously wrong, and he would just sit on my leg or shoulder and strain and strain to pee. I am *not* on his list of favorite people right now for giving him his meds, and I'm worried it might impact the bonding process - but I just want him to be okay.
One thing I did notice...he was chest-marking stuff a lot last night and this morning. He seems to be producing musk. Are males who are neutered supposed to produce musk? The vet seemed to think a buildup of musk was what caused the issue in the first place.
Posted By: Xfilefan
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 11:19 PM
While they don't produce it on the level they did pre neuter (which is why the 'bald spot' disappears, yes they still produce. As far as the anal glands, which is where it is produced in regard to the issue your guy is having, both males, neutered or not, and females produce a milky white fluid from those glands. The instinct to mark doesn't go away when a male is neutered, but IS reduced. Gliders neutered when older tend to retain more of their secondary sex characteristics, or instincts, than those neutered very young...and may even attempt to mate even though they cannot reproduce. In horses, it's the difference between a 'stag' and a true gelding. It sounds like he had a well developed UTI...sometimes they can try to avoid going pee and poop because it hurts to do so, causing build up or blockage that makes things worse. Since you're having issues with constipation in another glider as well, I would suggest limiting constipating foods for a little while-say a couple weeks (items like veggies, bugs, eggs, meats), in favor of more watery fruits like melons, and offering a variety of drinks at night, such as a Kern's nectar and gliderade in addition to water, to encourage more drinking and fluid intake. Since I live at almost 8,000 ft elevation, and it tends to be dry, mine always have more than one drink in at night for that reason, or they tend to have issues with dehydration/constipation here. Otherwise, it sounds like he's on the road to recovery.
Posted By: Cora
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 11:40 PM
above you stated you change your water every week and a half................hoping that is a typo or I read it wrong .................water should be changed daily.
Posted By: Xfilefan
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/07/09 11:45 PM
I agree (hope it's a typo)...If bottles are a problem for you to clean (I don't use them myself), try open dishes (non-tip kind) and change at least once daily, or more often if soiled. It's recommended to have more than once water source per cage as well, since that way if one bottle malfunctions (as has happened) they have another source. In addition to what can grow in an uncleaned water bottle, it deoxygenates, or stagnates, fairly quickly and isn't good to drink after a day or two anyway.
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/08/09 07:54 AM
I honestly didn't know that about water...I have a water bottle that I was changing weekly, and a water dish I change daily. They seem to prefer the dish anyway, as it's right next to their food. I've been limiting the constipating food, and the constipation issue seems to have gone away mostly. Cleaning the bottle daily isn't a problem - I just didn't know. I'll change the water in the bottle as well daily from now on.
Another thing...I haven't been able to check his penis today to see if it looks black/inflamed, because he's so squrimy and I don't want to stress him any more after getting his meds in him twice a day. How should I do this, if at all? The area does not look overgroomed, and the cone isn't red or inflamed...any pointers on what I should be doing or what I should be looking for?
Posted By: Cora
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/08/09 01:56 PM
I am trying to huntdown someone in your area to take a look.....................its hard to know whats wrong if you dont know what its supposed to look like and its too hard to explain (for me anyway)
there are members of this cummunity in and around Dallas......................
Posted By: Xfilefan
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/08/09 06:21 PM
If the penile tissue was nice and pink on vet exam, just the build up that was black, all should be good. Sometimes when in pain, the penis won't retract and will stay out-usually due to inflammation. When healthy, you normally won't see it. To forcibly take it out can be damaging-glider would likely need sedated for a gentle extraction to look at it...and I do mean gentle. If the vet said the tissue was healthy, just make sure to finish all antibiotics, and not miss any doses. Keep us updated!
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/09/09 12:03 AM
Thanks, the vet didn't seem too worried about it. He was able to get a look Monday morning when I took him in - he was able to get Rory to "present" somehow. His penis hasn't been out at all since that I've seen, but he still hisses while urinating. I've been able to give Rory his meds around the same times twice a day since Monday when it was prescribed, but it's really difficult because he's still bonding and he struggles a lot. I am afraid I'll stress him out a lot or hurt him accidentally.
Posted By: jacknsally
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/09/09 03:41 PM
Is Rory one of the gliders you got from Val or am I thinking of someone else? If he is, have you gotten touch with her to see if he's ever had any history of something like this before?
If you need an extra set of eyes just to look at him for an opinion if he has necrosis with his penis, just let me know. I'm headed through Dallas to Tyler this Saturday.
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/10/09 04:21 AM
Is Rory one of the gliders you got from Val or am I thinking of someone else? If he is, have you gotten touch with her to see if he's ever had any history of something like this before?
If you need an extra set of eyes just to look at him for an opinion if he has necrosis with his penis, just let me know. I'm headed through Dallas to Tyler this Saturday.
Rory is one of the gliders I got from Val. I spoke with her the other night, and she didn't mention any history of UTIs. He's going back to the vet tomorrow so the vet can see how things are progressing. He's still on the antibiotics. He still seems to be having some discomfort, but it's only around day four of the meds.
I'll probably be taking Danielle tomorrow, as she's visibly gained a lot of weight in the past couple of weeks, and it's worrying me. I'm able to get her up and running around the tent, and the other two haven't had the same amount of weight gain, so I'm worried that something is wrong. I need to start weighing them. What is the best scale to use for this purpose?
I'd appreciate another pair of eyes. I'm not off next until this Tuesday, though. What time is best for you?
We're having a rough time. D:
Posted By: DirtyPaws
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/10/09 04:53 AM
I bought a postal scale at Wal-Mart for about $20-$25 maybe that I really like. It was back by the envelopes and mailing stuff. It's black plastic, digital, with a clear removable cover for the seat of the scale. It has alot of features that I don't use, but thought it would be nice to have if needed.
Good luck with your boy!
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/10/09 08:14 PM
Thanks! The vet didn't seem to think Danni's weight gain was anything other than the product of her regularly beating the other two to the front of the buffet line. I left them slightly more veggies than fruits today before going to work, with some blueberries, mango, apple, cucumber and zucchini...hopefully the other two will get some, too. They typically get their HPW at night after I get home. I haven't had multiple gliders before, so I'm really not sure how to make sure she doesn't eat too much, and the other two get enough.
Someone posted last week in another thread about cutting the honey down in HPW slightly and adding applesauce to make up for the difference. I might try this if increased exercise alone doesn't help Danni reduce her weight.
Rory seems to be making a full recovery. He did "skunk" a lot at the vet, though! There was no sign of necrosis at all, thank God. The vet says everything looks tons better than last week. We'll keep up with the antibiotics and see what happens.
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/12/09 04:48 AM
There was a strange, pale spot on the gliders' fleece ground cloth in their reptarium today...it's dried, but I'm worried that Rory might've thrown up his medication. He's acting normal otherwise, and I haven't *seen* him or anyone else throwing up. I'm just worried that I'm stressing him so much with having to give him medicine. I hope I just spilled some HPW or Acacia Gum on the spot. I'm still keeping an eye on them. I'll keep you all posted.
Posted By: Trigger
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/12/09 05:14 AM
I cut the honey by 1/2 cup & subsituted applesauce just to reduce the sugar content. I checked the ratios for the mixture before hand and there was practically no change so felt it was safe enough. My crew are all fine and I have had no complaints so far.
This will increase the normal amount of fiber(due to the spplesauce) and may help a tad with the constipation.
Not any type cure all but not any worse than the honey.
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/12/09 08:19 PM
I'll try this when I make my next batch of HPW.
Thank you so much!
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/14/09 11:07 PM
Okay, now there is a tiny pustule on the tip of his "cone" (not the penis itself.) it looks like a tiny whitehead. I called the vet, and he is suggesting I gently wash the area with a warm wet washcloth, and bring him in if it gets worse.
Though it had some of the same symptoms as a UTI, the vet seems to think that it was a topical inflammation in the beginning cased by a buildup of musk. Rory does produce a *lot* of musk. Other than that, he finally seems to be peeing normally. I was also told to continue the antibiotics.
Anyone else have any ideas?
Posted By: DirtyPaws
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/15/09 03:06 AM
What about using a Q-tip? I would think a washcloth would be a little rough.
But maybe that was the point ~ to exfoliate this little white spot? I wouldn't think so. But I'm sure no expert and sure can't see it to make my own judgement.
Glad to hear he's peeing well finally!
"Just get well little musky boy!"
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/16/09 05:32 AM
It appeared to be gone last night. He seemed very normal this morning. I'll keep you all updated on his progress!
Posted By: sandbat
Re: Rory diagnosed with penile infection. - 04/17/09 08:11 PM
I'd like to thank JackNSally for taking a look at Rory and the other two! He seems to be completely better. The crew is also going to be getting a second stealth for my birthday.
Thanks again!