oh yeah forgot Sammy still had one staple and the Dr removed it and Sammy let him.

Thanks for the update!!! Wishing healing thoughts for Sammy!!!

I really don't have much to add - you got the basic low-down from Michelle. In the end, though his wound is HUGE, it is not deep - no damage to fascia(spelling?) or to muscle, so it is not anywhere near as bad as Jackie's have been in the past.

When you examine him closely, it is obvious that the skin has been chewed off - the edges are very rough and in places just shredded. There is nothing there to bring back together. Sometimes, in wound care, we have to heal through secondary intention (by allowing skin to granulate and come back together) rather than through stitching it back together. I sure wish that his previous vet had realized that and instructed to separate him from Emma and allow him to heal with antibiotics, pain meds and topical creams. Had he been separated from his cage mate earlier, it probably wouldn't have gotten this bad. I have a feeling that little Emma might be another one like Sassy who is just a bit "too helpful" when it comes to wounds. Nonetheless, they are both sweet and have already taken my heart. Sammy will be healed up in no time!

He did get that one staple that was still embedded in his skin taken out. He sure crabbed for that one.

Michelle - I am sorry that I didn't check that you were understanding everything. I have been working on this wound care presentation/article for so long that Dr. Walsh and I just talk like everyone understands what we are saying. We'll talk more at the SGGA and I will explain it better. Plus, you will HAVE TO stop by and give the little one some lovin'

We are home and all settled in new cages. Sammy and Emma have been renamed (for reasons I can explain later - on of which involves the name of a long hoped-for niece). Anyway, they are now
Sammy = Java
Emma = Cafe

With the hope that when Java and Mocha are both all healed up I can introduce the 4 and have my Mocha/Java/Latte/Cafe cage.

Java/Sammy has spent the night marking up his cage real good, so the whole room now stinks. But, really, that room needed a little character.

Awwwwww, sounds like he is in great hands (no surprise there!) Glad to hear the wound is more of a superficial nature and should heal up fine! Again, God bless you guys for all you do! (And I LOVE the names, Val!!!)

I cried tears of joy while catching up on all of this, how everyone just came together on this.
You are all....

AWESOME!!!!!!!

Pat

I'm so happy to hear they're doing so well! Give them some lovins from Auntie Brenda!

Read Part 2

Read Part 1

How are the little ones doing today?

Yeah, how are they doing? And where are the pictures? Gosh woman, I know you don't have anything else to do today, get with it! Just kidding!

Everyone is just fabulous. Little Cafe (Emma) is having some anxiety issues with the move, so she is getting to just settle in. But, Java and I are having a love-hate relationship with his meds.

He looks really good. I don't have any GREAT pictures, but I do have some of his wound from in the pouch the day I got him:

GRAPHIC PICTURES!!! not for the faint of heart.

Wound on neck


Wound running down leg

And one of his precious face - nerd teeth and all.
Precious Java

He is so cute with his little nerd teeth!!! Thanks for sharing & updating!!!

Just wondering if there is any new news?
I hope all is going well....Pat

All is going splendidly.

Java & Cafe have settled in. After several days of Cafe not eating and trying every diet in the world, she is now eating great and has not lost a single gram! She is a bit pouch protective, but nothing we can't handle. Thanks to Karen, I have 3 different size pouch protective pouches here, so I'm all set there.

Java is doing wonderful. His wound is not noticeably smaller, but it is granulating and scabbing over. He takes his meds like a champ and is a little cutie pie.
He loves his wheel and has learned to play creatively with all his fleecy toys - no toys he can rub against right now (except this one that he loves to sleep in)
Java

Little stinker has chewed holes in 4 hammocks so far, though. He is precious. Can't wait till he is all healed up.

That's wonderful to hear Val. Thanks for the update and the ADORABLE picture!
Pat

So it's been a while...updates?