Its with a heavy, and broken heart I update you all on Ori's passing. I haven't cried this much since Tindra passed in February 2023.

I called the vet clinic this morning and got a time with the exo / small animal specialist today at 14:40 (02:40 PM)

I took 2 hours off work + my lunch to go back home and get Ori and take the 1 hour drive to the vet. I found her sleeping inside one of the toys I'd left in yesterday. A hollow string ball with holes all around. She eagerly got out onto my hand. She was reluctant to get in the pouch and carrier.

During the drive she's looking up at the sky and treeline outside and eventually trying to go back to sleep on the bumpy road.

We get there, I check in, and Ori is hiding at the back of the carrier behind her pouch and looking over it towards the front. Like she's peaking from behind a hill.

I'm directed to the exotic / small animal part of the building and we wait. Vet/secretary and an apprentice come in and take some info on the past week. I tell everything and we wait on the specialist.

This vet was clearly more experienced than the ER vet i met last Monday. I told her everything I wanted, the x-ray, stronger anti-biotics. She told me if the stuff she's already on isnt helping and shes only getting worse, shes in mortal danger already. She could maybe get an ultrasound, but according to her she's seen this in many small animals before. All she needed was some time to inspect Ori without her thrashing, and she knew how to handle her. She notices the lower abdominal breathing, particularly, heavy breaths filling the lower lungs, and manages to thoroughly listen to Ori's breathing and gives me the bad news. Her lungs are filled with liquid/puss from infection. That it was only a matter of time and 1 bad episode. If I had noticed anything earlier this story might've ended differently. The cause of the infection is still unknown. And the vet told me there's no way to be sure. Probably just trying to console me in-case it was my fault. Regardless. I wanted to keep her remains after the cremation, and an autopsy would complicate that process. All I can share is a cautionary tale + my experiences. (at a later date)

I couldn't keep the tears back while she explained what was best. I knew what was best because of Tindra. I'd tried to keep her alive because I didn't want to lose her. I cleaned her when she stopped grooming herself. I fed her by hand for months after the surgery. Then one day I really payed attention to her, and she was miserable, always wet and wasn't being groomed by her mother or sister. I pitied her so much it hurt. And I hated myself for being so selfish. So I didn't need convincing.

So they weighed Ori for the morphine dosage (she managed to gain 2 grams, Big thanks I think due to the yogurt) and left me alone with her so i could say my goodbyes. I got her to fall asleep pretty fast as it was the middle of the day, I gave her cheek rubs and head rubs while she lay curled up in my hand. She still looked dignified, if a bit scruffy. And I couldn't stop to clean up my messed up face.

Eventually it was time, they came and took her and they gave her enough morphine to put her to sleep. They came back in and gave her to me. She was disoriented and a little hectic, She got a few last bites in on me before falling asleep in my hands. I watched her breathing slow down and I felt she wasn't in pain anymore.

I payed the 500 dollar bill and was told they would call me when I could come and get her urn.

When all was done i kept sobbing on my way to my car with the empty carrier. It started to rain heavily as if on cue.

Its been 4 hours since then. And it took me a good hour to write all this.

I want to summarize my time with these adorable lovable creatures. And I will, after dismantling the terrarium this weekend. I won't be getting any more sugar gliders.

Thank you all for your concern and help and guidance these past 7 years (and these past 4 days especially). Without you knowing, I and probably many more have gone through these forums for help and learned alot.

Love.

I'm glad she's doing a little better.

Please let us know what the vet says.

I wish I had more to contribute for the vet visit other than the list of US vet consultants that Feather had a link to. You can click on the blue words and it will take you to the link.

I hope she feels better soon.

You may want to get her some Yogurt, no artificial sweeteners. It will help with her gut, the antibiotics are probably giving her the soft stools.

She had a safe wheel to run on, plastic see through (not mesh) that i cleaned every other day. I've taken that out as well for now.

She's been more tired today.

I've been with her all day. Mostly she just naps in hand. I cleaned both her pouches with viniger and the pet safe soap. She prefers my hand or sits on my shoulder. I don't know how active she is being at night. I found her awake this morning. she did groom herself a bit today which is a relieving sign. She's asleep in her pouch now after gently placing her back in. Its past midnight here and i need to sleep.

She hasn't been very hydrated today, skin is slow to retract, but its not stiff. She doesnt want to drink plain or honey water all that much. She's had a few bites and licks. But not much.

She did not like me forcing the medication on her today and she bit me. Not enough to draw blood but harder than she's ever done, I'm not sure if its due to exhaustion or restraint that she couldn't draw blood.

In Sweden sugar gliders require a strict 2 x 2 x 2.2 meter large inclosure. I have mine in the living room. Its made of pine beams and pvc covered netting much like these. https://exotiskadjur.ifokus.se/discussion/1094563/sugar-gliders-i---bur-och-utrymme
(I know pine resin is considered toxic and airway irritable but for 7 years there hasnt been an issue related to breathing till now + many owners here say its safe because its a hard wood they dont want to chew on. I tried building an inclosure out of bamboo at first, It was impossible to make it inescapable.)

She had a small bowel movement today, same as yesterday. It was softer than normal almost paste like. I imagine from giving her easy to eat soft/liquidy food.

I'll shoot up my visit to the vet to monday instead of thursday. I'll demand an X-ray, and if they dont find anything I'll ask for stronger anti-biotics. I've done all I can I feel for now.