GliderCENTRAL

Pika's HLP: Update (Great News!!!)

Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Pika's HLP: Update (Great News!!!) - 02/11/06 01:10 AM

[:"green"]As most of you know, Pika was diagnosed with HLP (Hind Leg Paralysis) a couple of weeks ago. I brought her in this past Tuesday for another blood-draw and today I got the results. Great news!!! Both her Calcium & her Phosphorus levels are back to within "normal" range!!! I'm so very happy about this! The vet is going to examine her again in a couple of weeks, and in the meantime, she has recommended that I start giving her the Neocalglucon every other day instead of every day.
Thank you, everyone, for your prayers - God has listened and granted our request: to bring Pika back to "normal" levels <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />.
Editted to add picture of Pika taken today. If you look at her back leg, you may be able to notice that it's kind of "stiff" looking. She really doesn't bend it at the knee at all, even when she walks... This is part of the HLP.

Attached picture 529803-Pika005.jpg
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Pika's HLP: Update (Great News!!!) - 02/11/06 01:24 AM

[:"green"]Here's another picture of Pika <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />, just taken this evening... In this picture, you can see how her other back leg is at a more "natural" angle... It hasn't been affected as much by the HLP as the right leg; however, the little toe on the left foot was one of the first joints to get swollen... The swelling is now almost totally gone!

Attached picture 529812-Pika007.jpg
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Pika's HLP: Update (Great News!!!) - 02/11/06 01:27 AM

[:"green"]Another picture of Pika <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/muchlove.gif" alt="" />

Attached picture 529813-Pika004.jpg
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Pika's HLP: Update (Great News!!!) - 02/11/06 01:32 AM

[:"green"]Last picture for now...
I'm sure you've all noticed in the other 3 pictures that there's a part of her tail where the fur is really short. That's because one of her swollen joints was in her tail and the vet had to shave her tail in order to get a fluid sample from the swollen joint. We never did send the fluid samples out for analysis because we discovered the HLP.

Also, you will probably note the cloudiness of her left eye. Her left eye developed a cataract after her last bout with eye infection <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />. She is now totally blind, but she gets around just fine in spite of blindness & HLP <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />.

Attached picture 529815-Pika006.jpg
Posted By: sugeebaby

Re: Pika's HLP: Update (Great News!!!) - 02/11/06 01:33 AM

So glad to hear Pika's is getting back to normal. She has been through so much. Way to go Pika. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Charlie H

Re: Pika's HLP: Update (Great News!!!) - 02/13/06 12:09 PM

Thanks for the explaination about the hair loss on the tail and the cloudy eye! I almost went into shock when I saw them! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> Glad your vet decided to cut back on the calcium dose. So many do not realize the damage the calcium can do if the mega doses are continued for too long. Even though she needed calcium a glider can only handle so much.

We have two blind rescues and they both live full and healthy lives. Just keep things in the same place for them in their cages and it is surprising how they can learn their way around. You wouldn't believe it but they will even run in the wheel. And both of ours love treats and attention. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />
Charlie H
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Pika's HLP: Update (Great News!!!) - 02/13/06 12:40 PM

[:"green"] <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/offtopic.gif" alt="" /> Charlie,
Neither Pika nor Cricky have ever used their wheel since we got them 3 years ago. However, recently, my husband decided to try to train Cricky to use the wheel... We placed the Wodent Wheel on the coffee table in the living room, put Cricky inside and slowly started to rotate the wheel. Cricky clung to one of the openings & went around & around, clinging on, half-in & half-out of the wheel <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />. Pretty soon, Pika climbed in & started walking along the track <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />! It was a very funny (& very surprising) experience!!!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Pika's HLP: Update (Great News!!!) - 02/14/06 02:01 AM

Yeah, Pika!! She is such a special little sweetie. Glad to hear that she is better! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: USMom

Re: Pika's HLP: Update (Great News!!!) - 02/15/06 02:36 AM

Suz, you are right, you can see it in that one leg. She looks much better than the earlier pics show. Go Pika!
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