Posted By: GliderLuvr
Irregular Potty Habits? - 06/20/17 05:56 PM
Ok, I have a little boy with some unusual potty habits (or so I think). I'm reaching out to the glider community to see if this is normal or a health issue. I have taken him to the vet several times for urinalysis and fecal, and both tests have come back completely normal, so I am left worrying and scratching my head. The urinalysis what based on a few beads of urine collected by sterile syringe, so not a direct bladder sample/culture.
Here's what's going on...He wakes anywhere from 9 - 11:30 AM. I have heard a variety (on different days/occasions) of grunts, semi-crabbing, or straining sounds (followed by what sounds like a puff of air); these sounds vary in subtlety and can be very hard to catch. Sometimes, like today, he was wide awake and vertically hanging on the inside of the pouch. When I check the pouch, there is usually some urine (varies in volume) and feces. Today, there were a lot of feces (about 5 piled up); feces were soft but not mushy, with a slight green tint (probably from eating peas last night). Urine was about 4 drips/beads-worth.
My immediate thought is UTI or crystals in the urine, but his urinalysis has been clear of white blood cells (infection), inflammatory cells, and crystals. The vet doesn't want to put him on antibiotics with a clear urinalysis. This has been going on for about 2-3 weeks...no over-grooming or over-marking, and his activity level seems normal. He 6 years old, neutered, and on the BML diet...eats all of the BML staple but rarely eats the green beans, carrots, cherries, and blueberries...loves peas, corn, and watermelon...occasionally eats grapes, cantaloupe, and honeydew. I dilute his BML with a little water and include a separate dish of apple juice some nights, along with his water (he prefers juice to apple bits).
So, I guess what I'm wondering is if this happens to other glider owners and is "normal" for a given glider...I know there is still a lot to learn about them, and the fact that they have 1 orifice for urine, feces, and reproduction probably complicates things...so maybe he's having to do both at the same time and things get a little "backed up" (and even more so after sleeping a few hours)? They curl up in such tight little balls to sleep too...and sleep pretty hard usually...Or maybe it's prostate issues? Bedwetting or night terrors? Anal gland issues? Maybe he knows I come running when he makes noise (he's been single since his cage mate passed away 3 months ago and is closely bonded to me, purrs when worn, etc.)?! He's always grunted/squeaked a little after his first elimination when waking at night, then things seem to move through without issue.
Thanks for your insights! I'm so worried, and the vets (yes, plural) seem to rely on the urinalysis, saying "it's clear", and "he looks good". Am just being a paranoid momma?
Here's what's going on...He wakes anywhere from 9 - 11:30 AM. I have heard a variety (on different days/occasions) of grunts, semi-crabbing, or straining sounds (followed by what sounds like a puff of air); these sounds vary in subtlety and can be very hard to catch. Sometimes, like today, he was wide awake and vertically hanging on the inside of the pouch. When I check the pouch, there is usually some urine (varies in volume) and feces. Today, there were a lot of feces (about 5 piled up); feces were soft but not mushy, with a slight green tint (probably from eating peas last night). Urine was about 4 drips/beads-worth.
My immediate thought is UTI or crystals in the urine, but his urinalysis has been clear of white blood cells (infection), inflammatory cells, and crystals. The vet doesn't want to put him on antibiotics with a clear urinalysis. This has been going on for about 2-3 weeks...no over-grooming or over-marking, and his activity level seems normal. He 6 years old, neutered, and on the BML diet...eats all of the BML staple but rarely eats the green beans, carrots, cherries, and blueberries...loves peas, corn, and watermelon...occasionally eats grapes, cantaloupe, and honeydew. I dilute his BML with a little water and include a separate dish of apple juice some nights, along with his water (he prefers juice to apple bits).
So, I guess what I'm wondering is if this happens to other glider owners and is "normal" for a given glider...I know there is still a lot to learn about them, and the fact that they have 1 orifice for urine, feces, and reproduction probably complicates things...so maybe he's having to do both at the same time and things get a little "backed up" (and even more so after sleeping a few hours)? They curl up in such tight little balls to sleep too...and sleep pretty hard usually...Or maybe it's prostate issues? Bedwetting or night terrors? Anal gland issues? Maybe he knows I come running when he makes noise (he's been single since his cage mate passed away 3 months ago and is closely bonded to me, purrs when worn, etc.)?! He's always grunted/squeaked a little after his first elimination when waking at night, then things seem to move through without issue.
Thanks for your insights! I'm so worried, and the vets (yes, plural) seem to rely on the urinalysis, saying "it's clear", and "he looks good". Am just being a paranoid momma?