I picked up a little rescue girl today who had a tail injury. She had been bothering her tail but for the last 24+ hours had left it alone. So I went off on a 3 hour trek to get her and on the way home stopped off to see Dr Sue who was working in Hannibal today. Dr Sue said that her tail looked good for an injury and that it was healing, however due to the odd angle of the initial injury, it was healing very very slowly and would probably take she recommended over a month to completely heal. However, if the tail was amputated to the next joint and stitched properly, it would most likely heal within 10 days. I chose to do what was best for this little one and had her amputate. While under anestetic we wrapped her tail up to try to keep her from bending it to chew on. However no such luck. The minute she came out of the anestetic she went for her tail. At this point I could have kicked myself. At home I had e-collars and e-jackets, but in my hurry to leave this morning I forgot them. So here I was 20 minutes from home with a glider who wanted to SM her tail with no e-collar and no one to hold her while I drove.
Then I remembered a demo that I had seen at one of the SGGA's I've been to. Denise (Minkasmom) had demonstrated how to MacGyver an emergency e-collar out of the top of a soda/water bottle and tape. So while the vet staff watched, I retrieved my empty soda bottle and set to work crafting a collar that would last until I got home and got her into a properly made collar. We padded it with cotton balls and wrapped the whole thing in vet tape and got it on this little one. Amazingly it worked perfectly. She kept it on and wasn't able to injure herself on the way home. Once home I got her into a collar that I knew would be safer for her long term (much to her dismay).
The moral of this story........always pack your e-collar when getting a rescue. Also, thank you Denise for showing me that when you have to, you can make what you need. It may not be perfect, or perfectly safe long term, but in a pinch it works and keeps the baby safe until you can get something better.
Chris Illusion, Malcom, Isabell, Annabelle, Zach, Isis, Aly & Indy AND Miss Emmy & Miss Chloe kitties
My Angels: You are always in my heart.
You've flown to the rainbow and wait there for me Someday I will join you together to be
Many of us do "demos" and such at these gatherings and some times when it is over and done with, we can get the feeling we were talking to the walls. I know it feels so GREAT when some time later someone says "thanks, without your demo I wouldn't have known about...." It keeps us going.
Denise, since this little one was surrendered to me and Chris was so sweet to take her for the help she needs, I have to add my thanks on here too. You rock! Keep up the good work even IF you think no one is listening!
And Chris...I know I've said it several times but thank you so much.
620-704-9109 Judge not until you have walked in their shoes and lived their lives. What you see online is only part of the story.
I could have missed the pain But I'd of had to miss the dance
The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
Re: MacGyver E-Collar
[Re: glidrz5]
#1304819 11/16/1212:25 AM11/16/1212:25 AM
LSardou was telling me about a PVC pipe that can be used as a temporary type of jacket. I'll need to get back to her,& ask if she has any pics of those.
OK, NOT a pvc pipe,but a pipe insulation!!!!!! My spiders are once again running out of room to build their cobwebs!!!!!! sorry :*(
Last edited by josefine; 11/16/1212:39 AM. Reason: correct product
Larry & Josefine Vodenik 2014 4 St Perry,Iowa50220 515/321-6081cell# j.vodenik@hotmail.com
Maybe I need to pull THAT demo out of the "archives" & dust it off for the next gathering, eh? I gave a demo at the OGG last weekend for the "satellite" e-collar (much to the dismay and COMPLETE angering of Draeco), the shotglass e-collar (Dobbie was posing for Peggy B.'s camera shoot & there are some HILARIOUS shots she took) and the e-jacket (speaking of cobwebs, Josefine...I can't even remember the name of the little guy who wore that one...but Maximus thanks him graciously for stepping in to take HIS place for that demo).
By the way, Chris? You have my COMPLETE PERMISSION to draw up the "how to" diagram for the MacGuyver e-collar....your talents on drawing FAR OUTWEIGH mine, hands down, no contest! And I honestly believe that's another device that NEEDS to be made into a "sticky" in Health & Hygiene.
Thank you Teresa...I truly wonder some days if anybody is out there listening to my talks. I guess they are.
Minkasmom (Papillon Kisses) Slave to: 25 gliders,4 cats, and ONE husband (can't handle two, lol!) Remembering all my lost loves
Re: MacGyver E-Collar
[Re: glidrz5]
#1305737 11/19/1212:07 AM11/19/1212:07 AM
Denise, that "tidbit" of information that you gave me so many years ago definately saved this little girl from alot of pain. I'm just glad that it stayed in my brain for me to use when I truely needed it.
Chris Illusion, Malcom, Isabell, Annabelle, Zach, Isis, Aly & Indy AND Miss Emmy & Miss Chloe kitties
My Angels: You are always in my heart.
You've flown to the rainbow and wait there for me Someday I will join you together to be