So glad to hear it all is going so well <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> I had a diabetic cat for years. We both knew when to fight and much to my distress, we both knew when the battle was over. I pray for you and Flip and am so happy that so far you don't have to look at him and know it's over. You both have struggled so hard and hopefully you will beat the odds. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

I have all the materials. I understand what to cut. I however truthfully am stuck on hwo to make the collar. The clear plastic film is just one cut-out of what is on www.GliderHealth.com right ? I don't even understand how to cut the moleskin / molefoam. Is it the foam side or the sticky side that gets notched? Also, where it says fold line, do you fold the sticky sides together and after that, how to attach it to the clear plastic film? I am not sure how to attach it to the clear cutout...any help?...francisco

p.s. To attach it to glider is basically just wrapping it around his neck right?

I pulled the string to notify a moderater also check out this link for Mary's phone number. I'm sure she can tell you how to do it.

Here is the link link

Thanks for the heads up Carrie...

Mystique...I also PM'd them to you. Hopefully by now you have that e-collar ready to go.

Mary's phone number is there, and so is Dawn's...I think she did the plans. Ellen's is also there, give one of them a call. I haven't tried to make the e-collar (my vet provided them to me), but one of the emergency contact people will be able to walk you through it.

please contact my vet who saved my glider he has a tv program on exotics and treats zoo animals and is an expert exotic vet. he worked miracles with my ruby. his number is 919 844 9166 call him leave a message to page him tell him karen reccommended him and told u about the miracle girl ruby. [censored] remember. im lucky his office is only up the road from me. i would feed flip some vanilla ensure it will give him strength thru this. also if u can get bml into him.

My vet is actually three. One was the zoo's exotic animals vet. there are also two other exotic trained / qualified vets at this hospital. Flip is doing ok right now with the satellite collar. however, when i take him for a checkup monday, gonna see about a shotglass collar. Could I modify the e-collar shown on that site to best suit flip? Would be more or less the same, just more "personal".

mary from glidertree takes in mutilators all the time and makes them well. call her at 979 478 7546 i dont have experience with mutilators. or bourbon knows alot too. im glad flips hanging in there. his size is whats going for him my glider is lg too 185 gram female. and the other 205 then i have a little 130 gra, girl dan travels around the country lecturing on exotics it wouldnt hurt to call him he really helped my glider. he didnt give up on her when she was dying gasping for air with her mouth open from pnumonia which usually kills people let alone a glider. plus she has a bacterial infection. she had a 50 50 chance . its her one yr aniversary since that stressful ordeal for me and her. she sure went through alot of torture for a month and also took a turn for the worse. thats when she didnt eat or drink anymore. im writing a book on her

Argh...This is not an update on Flip ( other then he's doing pretty ok seemingly ). I just felt like posting a bit. Beyond the effect on the glider, sheesh, even after one week it's taking a toll on me. Don't get me wrong, i am feeling 100%, just incredibly tired. Not to mention one does lose sleep and a bit of appetite during times like these. Anywho, talk to you all later...

Hang in there...it'll be over soon enough. My prayers are with you and Flip.
Megi

The longer he survives the better for him!!! I do know how exhausting taking care of a sick little can be! You do have to take care of yourself as well! Soon, he'll be healed and healthy again!
Fransisco, you've commented several times about how he's been very active. I wanted to remind you and everyone of how gliders will hide their illness's as showing any sign of weakness means death in the wild. So, just because they are acting normal, doesn't mean nothing is wrong!
Chey <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

What about his appetite being insanely big still? Can't grab grapes but eats them with "strength" if you hold it for him. He attacks yogurt ( I mix in meds and supplements ) and eats a tablespoon if i put it there ( even 3 times a day ). He eats a little bit of meat...( maybe a tablespoon a day which aint bad ). He isn't drinking too much but is peeing. I found out if I puree grapes or break them up a lot, and put it in a dish of water, he'll eat the grapes and at the same time dirnk some water...smart huh?

I understand what you mean about hiding an illness. I however believe as long as he is A) active , B) alert , C) continues having strong appetite , and D) is accepting of meds from me, he should be "fine". I know it doesn't mean he'll be fine, but these are at least a handful of things I don't need to worry about.

If he's eating, as long as the vet doesn't want him restricted on food intake, let him have it! LOL, usually their food intake is one of the first areas of signs of illness.
I'm glad he's doing so good. I was so worried that you were going to lose him, I hope he recovers and is back to his onery self soon! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />
Chey <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

I think it's a combination of many things.

1) As soon as i noticed his mutilation, within 25 minutes he was being seen by vet. ( Certified for exotics. - Experienced with Gliders. )

2) My mom and i check up on him at least once every 1.5 hours. Never goes 90 miuntes ( if that long ) without a checkup.

3) He gets medication on the minute per vet's instructions. ( I mix it with food. ) Also, his anteseptic ointment is put on EVERYWHERE he has been worked on even though vet deidn't say I had to. I figure, the cleaner, and mroe disinfected he is, the better.

4) "Fresh" food and water. While the food is baby food or mushed "regular food" ( has to be soft and baby food is usually healthier i think ) , he gets plenty of food and his food never stays put more then 1.5 hours. I say 1.5 hours because thats the span of time between checkups. He eats it really fast moreso then not....He's still a pig.

5) Bottom of aquarium ( not ready for cage yet ) is lined with paper towels. This way we see if he has gone #1 or #2, how much, and it soaks up any liquid to reduce in spreading of infection or getting him wet.

6) He is a fighter...to me this is his greatest strength. SO far he has come out swinging, combine that with everything else ( barring any internal illnesses ) and he WILL have a very long life.

He's very very very lucky to have you. Anytime you want one of my babies, you are more than welcome to one!
I know they would be well taken care of and very happy!
Chey <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

If I ever get enough strength and bravery to get another Glider ( don't know if I can after this ), I will definetly contact you. I wouldn't mind a good deal on one...lol <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />

I'm glad to hear that Flip seems to be doing nicely! I hope he continues on the road of recovery and continues living a happy healthy life after all this is over with.

Just got back from vet. Here is what he said. The satellite collar is doing well enough for now. We are considering changing it to a E-Collar come this wednesday. Why Wednesday ? Well, Wednesday is when the catheder is coming out. It's been in since Friday and is doing it's job evry well. There is no infection so they are leaving it in two more days for healing. That is the good news. Flip is not infected ( from exterior examination ) which means incisions and operations went well from the " looks of it ". I am working on a new E-Collar. Trust me, you will be surprised when it's finished. I know it may sound dumb but it allows " full " movement of the head, allows glider to eat with hads ( possibly but not certain ) the glider might even be able to glide. And yes, completely restricts access to the genital / pouch area. Not done but should be within a week or two after testing on Flip...lol Keep you all updated...Francisco

p.s. The new collar might sound far-fetched, but when designs posted, you'll laugh at it's simplicity.

Well thats just great <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" />It will be very interesting to see what you have come up with. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

Update: I got the first " jacket " done. It is only a prototype but it's looking VERY promising. I will post the design online once kinks are worked out. ( This is not for profit so if anyone uses the design, ( even for further development ) you are not allowed to profit from it in any way. )

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> Glad to hear that Flip seems to be continuing down the road of recovery! And good for you for experimenting with a new and better e-collar! Keep up the good work. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" />

It goes on tomorrow. Surprisingly it worked out very well. I am looking foward to it.

im glad to hear things are going well for flip. when my ruby was sick it was for a month and a half and i had to take her every few days for follow up cks and give meds for 8 weeks. even though she had a different condition if not for the vet experimenting with strong meds and the hard work on my part i would have her today. she will always have scars since she was almost dead. and i always have to be careful with her so she dont get chilled or among people where she would get stressed. but thats ok i leave her all the time in her cage with her cage mate and she gets a little out of cage playtime and has her daily routine and thats ok. but she was worth all the work on my part and money. but it was extremely stressful for me at the time since she was touch and go but im glad that s all past and shes in my shirt now spoiled as can be. just give your glider alot of luv and tell him how much u luv him it will help in his recovery. ruby knew i helped her and i hated s.to give her shots of medication for a month it was difficult when she crabbed but it had to be done and i tried to distract her with a mealie till she knew when she saw the bug she knew it was shot time and she no longer took the bug till it was over. their smart little guys

Been a few so thought I should update. We just got back form the vet. He szaid Flip is doing remarkably well. He took the catheder out. Flip is peeing and pooing very well. ( If you want, I can post pics of his dirty cage...lol ) The vet. took pictures to show at conferences. He said to his knowledge nobody had done this operation to a glider. It's been done to cats and dogs,but not gliders. Apparently, Flip is one of the first, if not the first glider to undergo such a surgery. And mroeso, according to doctor, he is making a very good recovery. Better thene expecte din his own words. The jacket goes on next week. The doctor wants to keep the collar on one more week which is ok. Flip is " used to it " by now. One more week won't hurt. His appetite remains high and he is taking all his med(s). Well, that's about it for now. Will update again when I find something new out...Francisco

That is such great news.. thanks for the update.

What exactly did the operation entail? Glad to hear the good news -- would love to know more!

He had to literally make an incision like 2 - 2.5 inches long in his underbelly. He brought down part of the urethra ( that was not chewed ) and attached it to the " outside skin ". Now, there are two drawbacks. 1) He will not have control, or have less control with peeing. I really don't care much about this. It is not detrimental to his health so it's a " minor " issue. 2) is due to #1. He could develope irrations / rash where he pees. This could get serious, but only if I A) did not clean him as I do every day or B) see A). Basically, if all heals / healed well, the only side effect and change to his life will be a new " style " of peeing. Which, I think we can all agree, if this is the worst of his troubles, that's VERY acceptable.

Francisco, this is absolutely amazing. Incredible! So happy to hear Flip is doing well. You are truly an awesome glider Dad!

[:"blue"] So glad to hear that Flip is doing so well.

Here's an idea: Since your vet took pictures to "present" as this particular operation has never been done on a glider before, why not ask him to write a paper on it to be published so that other glider vets will have access to it.

Then very sheepishly ask him about cutting you a deal on the price since he will be a published vet for sugar glider surgery <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/agree.gif" alt="" /> [/]

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> Boy Karen, That's why you're the smart one! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />