GliderCENTRAL

Commander Riker Update-Thyroid

Posted By: Xfilefan

Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 08/31/07 04:38 PM

K...here's Riker's prior thread:

http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/331914#Post331914

He has been on his thyroid hormones for a little over a month now...he started on 7/24/07.

Other than the dry ears, which are still an issue, the results have been amazing with him! First:

For those that don't know my Commander Riker:

He is 5 years old.
I got him at approximately 6 weeks OOP, from a gunshow, my first glider, and mill bred. He had a very hard start in life. He came to me with severe HLP, then Self Mutilated (cloacal SM). He was on me nearly 24/7 his first 6 months just to pull him through, then spent about a year and a half battling head/sinus infections. As a result, he will not accept a cagemate (and there have been numerous attempts). To him, I am his cagemate.

He has chronically overgroomed his head for over 3 years with no apparent cause. Although it started during the head infections, once that was cleared he still overgroomed, no matter how much attention was spent with him. He also has almost no appetite or energy level, yet was chunky. Plus he has chronically dry ears, all signs of a possible thyroid dysfunction.

He had a T4 thyroid panel run (blood test) - I know of no other glider that's had that done. The results were that his thyroid hormone was 'below detectable levels'...we don't know if a glider's thyroid hormone will even show up on the panel (as it hadn't been done on them).

We started thyroid hormone treatment with Thyroxine on 7/24. He has not weighed under 156 grams in over 3 years, and usually right around 160 (he's not that big).

Here's some before pics first. Next post will have a mid-month concern, and then will be the ones I took this morning and his current weight.

NOTE: this is not a thing to start lightly. Riker will be on these meds every day for the rest of his life. Riker is on a clinical trial of sorts-the first glider we know of to have undergone thyroid hormone treatment.

Before Pics:


Attached File
Riker55.bmp  (89 downloads)
Attached picture Mr. RikerGuy.JPG
Attached picture Riker's head again.jpg
Attached picture Rikers Mohawk.jpg
Attached picture RikersHalfMoons.jpg
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 08/31/07 04:44 PM

Now, a couple weeks ago, I went to take him out of his pouch, and saw something really scary. The entire inside of his pouch was full of tufts of hair! shock Yet at the same time, his hair seemed to be filling in. confused Needless to say we went and had a talk with the vet.

Apparently, the hormone had caused him to begin growing hair very rapidly (in essence...molting crazy) His coat near his hindquarters actually looked like animals that DO molt (gliders normally don't). Well....it itched. The vet assured me it would stop (I REALLY hoped so! What was I going to do if it didn't? frown )

Here's some pics taken then, and of the pouch full of pulled out tufts:

He weighed 154 grams at this point.


Attached picture Rikers Head 08 2007.jpg
Attached picture Rikers Tufts 02 08 2007.jpg
Attached picture Rikers Tufts 08 2007.jpg
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 08/31/07 04:49 PM

Now, here's today. laugh While he's not nearly as active as some of mine, he's much more (for him) than he was, and more curious! He's done "molting", and no more tufts in the pouch! He's also looking good at a trim 145 grams! grin He's still fighting the dry ears (you can see it in the pics-I put more oil on them right after), but everything else is good!

His appetite is still funny. He does have less of a sweettooth (yogurt drops, lol), and I do have to hand feed him some, but he does eat a little more on his own now! (I think part of that is because he's spoiled and just want's his 'cagemate' (me) to wait on him, lol).

Anyhow, here's today's pics.

Thoughts are welcome.

Attached picture Riker 08 31 2007.jpg
Attached picture Riker 08 31 2007 02.jpg
Attached picture Riker 08 31 2007 03.jpg
Posted By: BeckiT

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 08/31/07 05:14 PM

Wow Jen, what an amazing difference! He looks great!
Posted By: Usha77

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 08/31/07 05:15 PM

Okay, first of all, what a sweet, handsome boy he is! mlove He looks great! I'm so happy that things are going so well for him (and you, too!). Thank you for the update & keep us posted!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 08/31/07 05:30 PM

Lol, the hand feeding thing reminds me of Smegal... Gosh, I miss that little guy. He would refuse to eat when I was around and would dramatically crawl out of his pouch like he barely had any strength, then as soon as I would leave the room, he would pop out of his pouch, go nibble on his food and run on his wheel (he had this thing for running on the outside of his wheel instead of the inside, don't know what that was all about)... He was such a spoiled little boy, but I loved him, and he knew it.

You are doing a wonderful job with Riker. I kept Smegal going for 3 years while he was battling cancer... It's amazing the flights these little guys can put up when they know they are loved...
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 08/31/07 07:06 PM

Jen,
I've been wondering how Riker was doing... thanks for the update and the pix! He's looking great! heart
I have an appointment to bring Mareki to her original vet (I finally found her again!) as soon as she gets back from maternity leave on Sept. 15th. One of the things I plan to ask her about is the possibility of thyroid therapy. (You remember the history, I'm sure laugh )
Give Riker a snuggle for me hug2 hug2 hug2
Posted By: BCChins

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 08/31/07 07:44 PM

Wow Jen he look so good. He looks like he has a bit more energy and is not as sad looking. His fur is much softer and more plush or better or not as clumpy looking. And that head is so handsome with all his baldness gone. ust amazing. You do some exellent medical research with the gliders and this is just another breakthough for us all.

Thank You and give that handsome guy a yogie from us here in CT
Posted By: SugarBlossoms

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 08/31/07 10:13 PM

dance Riker looks 100% better! What a handsome guy he is! No doubt, without your perseverance in the medical dept. and your love of gliders, Riker wouldn't be here. He is sure a special guy and has the best "cagemate"! smile

I love updates like this!! Thank you!!
Posted By: Xglider

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 08/31/07 10:33 PM

Jen .. this is such great news! thanks for the update!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/01/07 05:59 AM

He looks great Jen; I'm so glad that the thyroid medication seems to be really helping him! laugh clap hug2
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/27/07 12:37 PM

Figured I'd give an update...I need to weigh him again, but I believe he is now under 140 grams! Also, FINALLY, the dry edges to his ears are almost completely gone for the first time in years! His energy levels continue to increase, and he's happy and bouncy! smile

One interesting side effect...Riker, who has never, ever turned down a yogurt drop (or 2, lol) absolutely WILL NOT touch one now. He's developed even more of an appetite for bugs, though-go figure. Before he'd never take a mealie you didn't hand to him-now he'll eat them out of a dish with no issue-my crazy little guy!

I'll have to get you all some new pictures soon-you really won't believe this is the same glider. heart
Posted By: BCChins

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/27/07 12:59 PM

Great news and I am glad this seems to be working so well for Riker. We will be waiting for those pictures!!

Thank you for the update Jen.
Posted By: glidrz5

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/27/07 01:44 PM

Wow Jen! He's eating mealies now! I know before you had to hand feed them to him.
Posted By: Usha77

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/27/07 02:28 PM

I'm so happy to hear how well the little (littler!) guy is doing! smile I can't wait to see some pics! hug2
Posted By: LSardou

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/27/07 02:43 PM

This is great news! I'm so happy to hear that your sweet little Riker is coming along so well. FINALLY! Thank you for the update, and hurry with those pics!!! grin
Posted By: BeckiT

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/27/07 10:53 PM

That's awesome news Jen! Riker is lucky to have such a wonderful slave smile
Posted By: Xglider

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/27/07 11:18 PM

That is Great Jen ... thanks for the update ...
Posted By: SugarBlossoms

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 12:44 AM

dance Pics PLEASE!! grin

Way to go Riker!!! hug2
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 06:24 AM

I took some new ones this morning (yesterday morning? lol), and I'll try and get them off the camera and uploaded when I get off work today, and get him on the scale. cool This morning he bounced out of his pouch, and onto my arm (you'd have to know him-he would NEVER do that before...) and ate some mealies on my shoulder mlove I never thought I'd ever see him so joey-like again! Took the opportunity for a couple new pics while he was having his snack. smile
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 06:57 AM

It's so good to hear that he's doing well! Congrats on his continuing progress!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 05:41 PM

That's wonderful to hear that Cmdr Riker is feeling so good! I love to hear about animals getting their pep back. mlove
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 07:10 PM

PLEASE STAND BY.....

Uploading pics....

Commander Riker at ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FOUR GRAMS!!! agree

grin party jump jump
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 07:34 PM

Sorry that took so long...here's the first 5...the last of 10 pics will be a "before" pic...how he's looked for the last few years. *sniff* I'm so proud of my little guy! laugh

Attached picture Riker 09 27 07 01.jpg
Attached picture Riker 09 27 07 02.jpg
Attached picture Riker 09 27 07 03.jpg
Attached picture Riker 124 09 28 07 01.jpg
Attached picture Riker 124 09 28 07 02.jpg
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 07:38 PM

Next ones... The very last pic (Riker 55) was at the 160+ grams he was up until right before we started the thyroid hormones

Attached picture Riker 124 09 28 07 03.jpg
Attached picture Riker 124 09 28 07 04.jpg
Attached picture Riker 124 09 28 07 05.jpg
Attached picture Riker 124 09 28 07 06.jpg
Attached File
Riker55.bmp  (18 downloads)
Posted By: BeckiT

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 07:39 PM

He Looks AMAZING Jen!
Posted By: pappy1264

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 08:15 PM

He looks really great! (Maybe I should send Gidget and Roo to your house to loose some weight! lol)
Posted By: LSardou

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 09:26 PM

clap WOW Jen, he looks totally awesome! I am thrilled to hear that he is doing so well. Thank You for sharing and the update.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 09:37 PM

OMG, look at him!!! shock grin

He looks SO AWSOME Jen!!! jump

It's so cool to hear that he's getting so active, and he just looks like he's so much perkier then he used to be - just absolutely amazing!!! dance

I'm *SO* happy for BOTH of you - it just does my heart good to know the treatment is working so well. mlove hug2
Posted By: Usha77

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 10:59 PM

He looks wonderful, Jen!!! laugh
Posted By: Msdoolittle

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/28/07 11:55 PM

Wow! I can't believe it is the same glider! He must feel terrific! I know it was not an easy decision to start him on thyroid medicine. It is amazing that the vet was able to determine the correct dosage with absolutely nothing to go on. I am sure many gliders' quality of life will improve thanks to you and Riker! You must be a very proud glider mom! mlove
Posted By: SugarBlossoms

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/30/07 12:35 AM

Riker looks GREAT Jen!! Way to go! dance

I'm going to ask our vet to run tests on Bonnie, she simply isn't losing weight! frown
Posted By: BCChins

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 09/30/07 12:38 AM

Jen he looks soo good. It is nice to read he is so much more active and happy. Nice Work with this.
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 10/20/07 03:10 AM

K After the last update Riker's weight kept dropping until he hit 124 grams! worried Got a little concerned at that point, and the vet agreed we didn't want him dropping any more, so his meds got adjusted again, and I gave him a weeks worth of Ensure with his dinner for some calories to make sure he could gain weight. Within about 10 days he was up to 138 when we adjusted his meds down.
No more Ensure and he seems to be stabilizing right around 130/132 grams. smile

And I think I mentioned really early on, but his tummy hair had gotten really thin, and he had almost bald patches under his arms-sides of the chest. The hair on his chest/tummy is filling back in and thickening, and no more bald patches! smile

One of the most obvious symptoms that took the longest were his dry ears, around the edges, and they looked like cracks on the backs. That's all gone now and his ears are nice, soft, supple and shiny looking, like they should be. We're still fine tuning his meds but shouldn't have to much longer-we think where he is now is what'll work for him.
crazy

The first two pics are at his low weight of 124 grams...second two are earlier tonight at 130.

Attached picture IM002962.JPG
Attached picture Riker 124 Grams.jpg

Description: Back up to 130
Attached picture Riker 10 19 2007 Scale 130 g.jpg

Description: 130 g 2
Attached picture Riker 10 19 2007 130g.jpg
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 10/20/07 03:12 AM

We've also got some pics of his crazy nails we think thickened due to the thyroid issues...although the two that were really, really bad seem to be straightening out with time and meds

Edit: come to find out (and I wasn't told this until after I posted earlier) the reason the one really bad one I was looking for to photograph I couldn't find is apparently my husband took him out and quicked him badly in an effort to try and get that nail growing better. mad tant I would NOT have done that, and I'm not a happy camper-It's no wonder he fought me and cried for this last trim! I couldn't figure out what his problem was, and apparently he thought I was going to hurt him! frown He'd always been SO good for trims...I hope he forgets and learns to trust me again. cry

In any case, he still has some pretty thick nails, none of the others twisted and broad like that one was, but still a lot heavier than any of my others. It seems to be one symptom of thyroid issues.

Attached picture Riker Nails 10 17 2007 01.jpg
Attached picture Riker Nails 10 17 2007 02.jpg
Attached picture Riker Nails 10 17 2007 03.jpg
Attached picture Riker Nails 10 17 2007 04.jpg
Attached picture Riker nails 10 17 2007 05.jpg
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 10/20/07 03:17 AM

Two more of his nails (Suz had wanted to see these, since Mareki seems to have the same problem) and one of his tummy hair that's filling in that had thinned to almost nothing. Then just a before and now pic for good measure. smile

Attached picture Riker Nails 10 17 2007 06.jpg
Attached picture Riker Nails 10 17 2007 07.jpg
Attached picture Riker Tummy hair 10 19 2007.jpg

Description: Before pic
Attached picture Riker before pic 2.jpg

Description: Now pic
Attached picture Riker 09 27 07 03.jpg
Posted By: glidrz5

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 10/20/07 07:22 AM

He looks so good Jen!!!! You know tho, even with the "low" weight of 124 he didn't LOOK thin, he still looked filled out & fluffy.....not as fluffy, but definately not skinny.
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 10/20/07 08:48 AM

No, but you could feel his bones under his coat...ribs, shoulders, hips. Not emaciated, but not much padding either. She wants him to stay between 128 and 138 grams, which is about right. Not overweight, but a little padding. smile
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: Commander Riker Update-Thyroid - 10/22/07 11:34 AM

Jen, you've done a great job with him! He's really looking MUCH improved now heart
Thanks for the nail pix - they do look a lot like Mareki's do. My vet is the one who suggested that it's probably due to the hypothyroidism when I asked her about them. It's very interesting to compare Riker's symptoms with Mareki's - they're all identical except that Mareki's appetite never waned. Mareki has now been on the medication for 13 days, we are starting to see a little bit of weight loss and the fur above her eyes is growing back in now clap
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