My thoughts and prayers are with you two.

You and your sweet suggie are in my prayers I hope everything turns out well for both your sakes.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and your sweet baby.

Holley -

Nothing to add to what others have said. But - will be thinking of you both.

Holley
Just read this post! Hope Victoria feel better soon. Keeping both of you in my thoughts.

Sorry you both are having to go through his. Huggs and prayers.

Holley, there ARE things you can try (even on an animal as small as a glider!) I have a couple good vets to consult on treating symptoms until you get the results-I'll post some numbers you can have your vet call.

Anesthesia will frequently throw a glider off for a day or so (whether it 'worked' or didn't-it's still a drug that affects the bloodstream and brain). As long as she gradually starts being more active, more appetite it's okay.

I agree that maybe the fluid could be drained via syringe. It would be a temporary fix, but could help make her more comfortable, and take time to build back up. As was said, that much fluid will also put pressure on other organs. You could try a diuretic (like Lasix) to help slow the process. Just make sure and keep her well supplied with fluids while she's on one. Abdominal fluid won't keep her hydrated-in fact, it's being pulled from other areas of the body in order to accumulate. Poor baby.

If cancer, there are also some possibilities for your girl-some gliders have been sucessfully treated for it, and survived years. I'm not sure how many yours would have, given her age, but it's worth a try. saharanfox is one member with a surviving glider with cancer you can send a PM (private message) to-the other is sugarlope-a moderator here-here is her thread:

http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/359611#Post359611

Click on her username to send a message to her, it will give you that option. Talking to them could give you some ideas to try should the diagnosis come back as cancer.

Frequently liver issues are accompanied by jaundice, but not always. I have had two with liver problems. The blood test results will tell whether the liver is involved. If you can get a urine sample run, it can also show if the liver is compromised (and is quicker, usually, than the blood panel to come back). Looking for signs of infection such as white blood cells there may be useful also.

In the meantime keep her hydrated, warm (sick gliders frequently have trouble regulating their own body temperature), and fed-feeding by syringe, a staple such as HPW, BML, or Ensure (this last ONLY if the glider is not more than mildly dehydrated) 1/2 to 1 cc every few hours (depending on the size of the glider, and how much they will accept by force) can help keep her strength and weight up, and provide her with the nutrients her body needs to fight whatever is going on. If she's at all dehydrated, I'd add a little pedialyte to some water (about 50/50) and put it down by syringe if she won't drink on her own.

All our prayers with you and your little girl-keep us updated.

Dr. Folland treated my Chronos for liver failure:

Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic
Douglas W Folland, DVM 86 North 70 West Centerville, UT 84014 (801) 298-2014

And Dr. Harris is my regular vet, who specializes in Exotics, including gliders, and was a vet for the Hogle Zoo here in Utah:

Foothill Animal Clinic / Wasatch Exotic Pet Care
http://www.wasatchexotic.com
Dr. Laurel M. Harris, DVM 2675 East Parley's Way Salt Lake City, UT 84109 Located inside the Foothill Animal Clinic (801) 485-4736

Jen, I love to read your posts, your so informative about health issues and I learn so much from you!

Holly, I sure do hope that some of this information helps your sweet Victoria!

I have an update on Victoria,

The pathology from the fluid taken off the belly came back and it is stage 4 cancer. The cancer cells they found were so eaten up with cancer that they couldn't tell what organ they originally came from. It looks like it will be too late to do too much because those broken off cancer cells are all in her belly and "sticking" to her other organs and the inside of her belly lining.

She had been sleepy lately but has several bouts of excitement and playing. I have been offering every possible food every few hours. She eats lots of corn and yogurt (she has always liked those). Depending on the feeding she will eat some of her worms, some watermelon, some Gerber #2 chicken baby food (thanks for the suggestion Xfilefan - I had some in my cabinet because I use it for her leadbeaters) She hasn't been interested in eating her leadbeaters for about 2 months - don't know why. Might be the multivitamin or calcium - can't get her to eat worms when they are dusted with either of them.

She is taking juice - I offer her 3-4 kinds - even let her have a bit of sweet tea today. She is always trying to get to my sweet tea glass - I've never let her have any. I would allow her to drink anything right now. Especially because a little diruetic (caffeine) would be good for her right now.

I talked to the doctor today about possible medication therapy. They are going to have some meds compounded for me. First they are going to give me Lasix (the diuretic to get off some of the fluid), then some meloxicam (anti-inflammatory for the pain or discomfort, if I start to notice any), then an antibiotic to prevent infection or treat her if she starts to run a fever. Victoria has never been very good with taking meds so we will see if she will even take any of these.

Right now I'm focusing on having her in my shirt most of the time even while sleeping. I don't see any signs of pain yet - but it is harder for her to get around with the big belly. I'm more worried today because she is sleeping so much. The look on her face is different. She seems...I don't know, different.

She is still gromming regularly, she still isn't having any trouble going pee or poo. I tried to get her to drink a little prune juice to make her stool a little softer and easier to get through her full belly but so far she has turned her nose up at it - I think she is right - it doesn't smell very yummy. She really like's Martinelli brand apple juice - she is always interested in at least a little of that.

I'm very worried because I work out of town (live in Tampa, Florida) and I start work again on Thursday. The worst problem is that I have an 8 day stretch of work and I will be about 5 hours away from her vet's office.

Right now I'm struggling with the decision to have her belly tapped again one more time before I go out of town. The pros are that it may help her a bit for a few days. The cons are that she may not make it through the procedure.

That is all for now. Will update you again soon.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE LOVE, PRAYERS, AND SUPPORT YOU HAVE ALL OFFERED ME.

It means so much to me,
Holley
1 glider - Victoria (11 years old)
I'm so scared that she is

prayers will continue...

I'm so sorry. You are definately doing the best for her and Victoria knows that she is well loved. I'm really bad at things like these. But I will be thinking of you and Victoria. And praying that she never has any pain because of the cancer. Many hugs and prayers for you and Victoria. Thank you for the update. Even if it wasnt what we were hoping for.

I'm sorry Holley, your very brave, I can't even imagine how hard this is on you and Victoria. Continued prayers for you both!

You know, I think if it was my glider, and I have the information you have, I would do exactly as you are. Work to keep her comfortable, and give her the things that she loves and wants. They know when they are loved.

This reminded me of a post a little while back. Maybe there could be some info in there that you could use or some people you can find to talk to.

http://www.glidercentral.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/476836/fpart/1

Best wishes to you and your baby! I hope she stays strong for you.

I'm so sorry Holley. I would do exactly as you are doing for Victoria. Make her as comfortable as possible although I know this is breaking your heart.

I'll keep you both in my prayers.

if she were mine i would not have the fluid drained. i would leave her be and justt give her pain meds. i saw what my mom went thru with all the treatments to prolong her life and it didmt with all they did. she lived no longer but suffered more with all the treatment options. in the end it did nothing but made her suffer. the yogurt has enough calcium in it you dont need to supplement her. as long as she gets a half tsp yogurt every other day. she will be fine. just give her alot of fresh foods and variety. i never gave my destiny a vitamin of any kind in 3 yrs. justt the yogurt every other day for calcium.

for the both of y'all!

Oh wow, I just came across this post and just wow. I am so sorry that you and your little girl have to go through this. If you need anything please feel free to pm me I am not too far from you (I am in Largo) and I will be happy to help in anyway I can. You and your precious little one will be in my prayers.

Ohh I am so sorry to hear this. She knows she is loved and cared for. My prayers go out to you both.

Im so sorry you are going thru this. I know this is not much comfort but you have given her such a long love filled life. Im sure she is comforted just being with you and it sounds like you have a great bond.

If it were me id fill what time she has left with love and pain meds when needed. They are so tiny to have to go thru needles being put in there body. It makes me so sad she has to go thru that. I know this is not the same but i just lost my dad to cancer and thru trying to save and prolong his life he went thru so much pain. Sometimes it is just not worth it. You are in a very hard time right now and you are such a good glider mommy. Know that you and your glider are in my thoughts and if you need to talk im here.

I am so sorry you are going through this. Have you asked the vet what he would do (in regards to another draw of the fluids)? I guess I am against the grain, as if if were my glider, I would try one more time. No it won't change what is going on, but would make her a little more comfortable. It is not an easy choice either way. Know you are in my thoughts and prayers. And love her with all you have. I am so very sorry.

Keeping you and Victoria in our thoughts. I am very sorry you are both going though a very hard time.

Im sorry to hear this holly... i will keep you and your baby girl in my prayers....

Adding my prayers for you both...what hard news to get

Holly, I am so very sorry. I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Anna

OK - another update and this one is GOOD NEWS.

I spoke to the doc and we decided to try the lasix for a couple days before doing the more risky and invasive procedure of tapping her belly to remove any more fluid.

THE LASIX HELPED A LOT!!!!! Instead of her weight going up every day (from the increase in belly fluid)she has started to loose weight. Since I started her on it, her weight has dropped by 15 grams (I have a food scale and have been weighing her a few times a day). She feels soooooo much better now. She has been running around much more - last night she was up for hours. She has been catching her crickets without much of a problem.

I have been making sure that she is getting enough potassium while on lasix (some in her yogurt and some in certain juices- because lasix makes the kidney loose potassium) and I will let her skip a lasix dose tonight since she feels good - don't want her to loose too much weight too soon. Also, I put her on a salt restriction - limiting the amount of sodium that she takes in. Sodium makes you retain more fluid.

Guys, I'm telling you it is such JOY to see her feeling good and causing trouble like nothing is wrong with her. I know that my days with her are numbered - but I'm cherishing this time with her.

The only part of the day that goes badly is when I have to FIGHT with her to get her to take her lasix. She acts like I'm sawing her leg off just to drink the medicine. I even tasted the med to see how horrible it was - turns out it actually has enough sweetener and flavor in it that it doesn't even taste bad (surprising). My mom pointed out that I may like the taste of it but it may be horrible to her because it doesn't taste anything like a mealie or cricket which I'm sure I wouldn't like much.

I have been sneaking her into work in my shirt everyday and nobody knows!! It has been so nice to be close to her and let her know that she is loved. She has that playful sparkle back in her eyes and is very entertaining when trying to get out of taking her lasix. She wiggles so much that it gets all over the place and on her. Last night she had it all over her chin and face. She actually walked onto the bed sheets and rubbed her face on the covers trying to get it off her face. It was the cutest thing...she knows that if she tries to get it off by grooming - she still eats it and I win.

Wanted to let you guys know the good news. I know that it will get bad again eventually but right now there are smiles. She isn't in any pain that I can tell yet. That is when it will get hard again.

I will keep you updated - thanks again for the wishes and prayers - looks like they are working - don't stop!

Sincerely,
Holley
1 glider - 11 yrs old

You got it! Prayers and well-wishes continuing! I'm so happy that she seems to be doing so well! You are such a wonderful glider mom!

I was just checking this thread earlier...glad to see you post agin and so happy your baby is doing so well!

I'm so happy to hear that things are going better for her. I will continue to pray for both of you. Thank you very much for the update.

That is WONDERFUL news to here!! Your so lucky to have each other. Prayers do work, and it's releiving hearing her progress and how well she is doing! Many prayers and hugs headed your way!