K-I've caught up reading the thread, and here's the chunk that's missing (for the record of this guy's story). I'll also post a bit of advice.

I took a look at Apollo Thursday night-his glands were SO bad, he had the kind of swelling Binx only had POST surgery-in addition to the horribly swollen glands themselves. He was on antibiotics, and a topical steroid that seemed to bring the swelling down enough for him to at least pee, but I can't describe what I saw. Chris (Glidrz5) took some pics with her camera-so hopefully we'll be able to get them up here in his thread. Honestly I was surprised he hadn't gone sceptic already.

Friday night, I went out to get an apple for my gliders, and a bite to eat with Teresa (Dancing) and Chris (Glidrz5). It was the only time all weekend I left my phone in the room, and wouldn't you know-that's when Apollo had a problem. Sugarglider Suz was waiting in the Lobby with the message "Apollo has taken a turn for the worse-you need to go" or close to that-I ran. In his rept he was laying on his back in the collar, in a back corner, with all 4 legs in the air trembling violently. I scooped him up and he just went limp. My first thought was I was going to do something to the vet that did this I probably shouldn't say. Once he started coming around, and it was obvious he wasn't giving up and dying yet, the only other thing to cause that behavior I know of is severe pain. Since all Sam had for him was Metacam and he'd already had his limit, we went on a quest for Torb-Luckily we were able to get some for him. Combination of a real pain med and Linda's magnets, and this guy acted more comfortable than he had since I'd seen him, and Sam said she got to hear him chirp for the very first time since she had him!

His anal gland removal was scheduled the next day, and by all reports went very well. As was told to me, as the vet was taking them out, they burst-sending pus everywhere. That was very close to happening on the INSIDE of this little guy. But that he has been recovering since. I'm really happy to hear he still is-and would LOVE some post op pics. I'm hoping the extended swelling has gone down also (what gave him the 'bullet shape' on his back end/cloaca)-post op that's normal for a bit-pre op was not-it's incredible he made it through.

Now, to the dehydration-the pain meds can have the effect of killing his appetite, and drinking is part of that. Oral is the best way to rehydrate-give him liquids by syringe through the day-sub q only as a last resort if not severe. Oral liquids are absorbed quicker and used more completely than sub-q fluids when they're possible to do.

Remember he has wounds inside as well as outside post-op-it also may sting for a while yet when he pees, particularly if it's concentrated, as with being dehydrated. Fluids will help.

Keep the wound/stitches on the outside moist-neosporin with pain relief works well-mixed with some Silvodene to help accelerate his skin healing if you have some. Even if the vet used "dissolving" stitches-as with Binx-Binx's didn't dissolve and most had to be manually removed. Also, as it heals, there will be some tightness at least until the stitches are out (which should be at least 10 days post op), and itching as it heals. I also dabbed slightly diluted Betadine on the wound at least twice a day, since pee and poo down there get where the stitches are and it will kill any new bacteria so it doesn't either keep the area from healing or start a new infection. Since he is known to go after himself-keep him in the collar until he is FULLY healed and hair starting to grow. Then keep a close watch for at least a few days.

Note: Once damaged, the anal glands are one of the hardest places to heal, for a number of reasons. Lack of air (ideal host area for anaerobic bacteria), not a lot of blood circulation, the fact they're multi chambered, and that pee and poop are frequent visitors-and although that bacteria is normal, it shouldn't be getting INSIDE a wound there.

Finally-keep updating-I've got a lot of worry invested in this little fighter! He is in WONDERFUL hands.

Thank you again everyone for your constant support of Apollo. I do feel that he is hanging on like he is because of so many people sending love his way. Jen, after talking with Val, Apollo is drinking very well, however he is still dehydrated enough to SubQ. The good news is that she is getting him to drink. He is also eating very well. (We have found out that he doesn't like anything mixed with his BML, right Val...LOL!)

He has a very long road ahead of him and I have no doubt in my mind that Val can give him every bit of support he needs. She is the fixer of all and I know that his heart will heal with time. His mommy #2 (me) misses him more than I can ever write down but I know that vet care it the #1 concern right now and until I can find a emergency vet that I trust, I just didn't see where there was another option. Continue to pray for Apollo's health and mine and Vals sanity!

Sam I just want to cry! Apollo is such a little fighter and is in great hands! I will continue to pray for Apollo,You and Val. This is so heartbreaking, considering all this man has been through. All my love to you!

Sam,

My heart and prayers are with both of you. Apollo is a fighter, you know that. He will give this all he has and then some. He wants to get back to his mom! Keep the faith.

aww, Sam....you know how I feel. I wish more than anything he could be with you right now but you did such an amazing thing by letting him go home with Val. She's the tops! I've said it before, if Apollo had been mine, I would have been just thrilled to have Val help me like she is doing for him now.

He just needs time to heal and he has tons of love and prayers going out to him. Hang in there!

Sam, I wish you and Val and Apollo nothing but the best in his continued recovery....he's been a great fighter so far, I have faith he'll continue to improve.

SOOOOO

Apollo has gone potty 2 times without hissing!!!

Is this one calendar worthy, or what? (even with the messy collar)
Pretty Boy

A couple of bum shots. He is healing well

Apollo's not swollen bum

This Butt needs a bath

He's gorgeous!!

Awww Val...you make me cry! (In a good way!) Thank you so much for taking such good care of my boy! He looks great and that face and those eyes still melt my heart. His swelling looks great and he still has that look in his eyes. He is going to make it and I just know you are going to be the one to take him there! I love you baby Apollo! Mommy is thinking of you!

OH VAL!!!!!!!!! That butt might need a bath but it sure is a PRETTY butt! (compared to before surgery!)

He is looking great! YEA APOLLO!!!!!!!

No more Torpedo Hiney!!! That's something to celebrate!!!!

I'm telling you what, Val: You have a talent that this whole community needs...and I'm so GRATEFUL that you can help Apollo and Sam! I'm sitting here with a river of happy tears streaming down my face!

to a very special earth

I'm siiting here with tears as well! And I didnt even see his swollen bottom. But he looks great! And that first pic Val definately needs to be in the calendar! As February. With the caption "wont you be my valentine!"

Very well said Sherri! I would be his Valentine any day of the week!

YAY!!! He IS looking good!!! He does have such a look of pure determination in his eyes!! Thank You for all you do Val.

I recognize that look......he is a fighter, just like my Timmy! God bless you, Val, for all you do with these gliders!!! He looks great!!!!! Dirty behind and all!!! lol

Ok everyone. I wish I had good news, but I don't. I am currently trying to get a hold of Val. After a very early and long day at work, I awoke from my nap to a call from my sister, Leigh. Val had been PMing me because Apollo isn't doing very well and he is on his way to see Dr. Walsh again. Just when things were starting to look up..... Apollo can't go pee on his own. Val spent 3 hours up with him last night stimulating him so that he could go the bathroom. She is leaving at 4 in the morning to head to Tulsa. Right now, I really don't want to talk about anything further. I am sorry, it is just too hard. I will update as soon as I can. Thank you again for everyone who has offered my baby prayers and positive thoughts. It means so much and I truly appreciate it. Sam and Apollo

Sam I am so sorry to hear Apollo has taken a turn. My continued prayers for Apollo! He is a fighter! Hugs to you and Val and a ton of virtual mealies for Apollo!

Sam, praying very hard for this little guy. You all have been through so much. Can they add in some metacam? When Petey swelled shut that is the only thing that worked. Just trying to come up with ideas. Please update when you can. I know this is extremely hard for you and Val.

Looking for an update....

Prayers going out.

I want so badly to call BOTH of you for an update...and to give you BOTH a half-ton of ....but I know how stressed out you both are & will sit back & wait.

***HINT! I am at lunch of either of you have a free minute to call me!***

I just got off the phone with Val. I am probably the only one that can get to a computer and post so here goes.
Apollo's was swollen inside so much the vet thinks from a bad penis amputation that is caused a lot of swelling. In turn this caused him to be swollen shut an dnot be able to pee. The vet used a needle and got 3.5cc of urrine out of him. He was so happy that he sat on the table and chirped with joy when he woke up. He is on meds for the swelling. He is doing better now. He should start to improve over the next few days.
I know when Val gets home and rested or Sam gets home form work the will post more details but for now Apollo is on his way home with Val and doing better.

Oh, thank goodness! Thank you for the update, Karen.

and prayers still coming, guys!!

Oh! That poor little guy. I hope he starts feeling better soon.

Saying a prayer for the little guy.

We are home safe and sound. Apollo is a fighter! I am so blessed to get to care for him.
He has had his meds and some food. No swelling at all right now.

I did, indeed, leave my house at 4 a.m. to get him to Tulsa to see Dr. Walsh and then get home in time to feed and medicate everyone else. I am exhausted. Will update when my brain is functioning more.

Glad to hear you both made it home safely! Get some rest, we will be watching for the update! God bless!!

I don't know how much better my brain is working, but I am rested and able to share Apollo's story.

Apollo had begun to have pretty extensive hissing and straining when trying to urinate again. This became increasingly more frequent and more intense. A few days ago, I noted that he was beginning to have some swelling:

OH NO!!!

Over the course of the night, he continued to balloon up. He was filling with urine, but not able to get it to leave the cloaca. Additionally, he would hiss and strain so hard that he would shake pretty significantly.

Filling with Urine

So, I began expressing him - gently. I was able to get on drop out at a time. For 3 hours I expressed him. Finally, most of the swelling/fluid accumulation was gone. But, it kept re-filling. So, we spent the night repeating this process (though I never allowed it to get that large again.)

SOOO - off to Tulsa we went - with pictures to show how bad it had gotten. I had spoken on the phone with about half of the free world by this time, and had so many scenerios running through my mind. The only other person I could find who had ever seen anything like this was Mary & Charlie, and with their Chloe, her urethra and colon had detached from the cloaca. So, that is where we started. Barium tests showed that everything was intact, but there was very significant swelling running the entire lenght of the urinary tract and not allowing anything to move from the bladder. The bladder was SOOO full that it was encompassing almost the entire body cavity. So, Dr. Walsh used a needle to express the bladder, getting 3.2cc of urine out of a tiny glider body!

Removing Urine from Bladder

After the urine was aspirated, it seemed to relax some things, and I began to notice a difference in swelling. Now to address the major swelling. Apollo has been on metacam for 8 of the 12 days since his last surgery, AND was using synotic - a topical anti-inflamatory, so the amount of swelling noted was troubling. Furthermore, the cloaca was very irritated and red.

Red, swollen cloaca

Apollo was given a BATH and a shot of metacam and one of baytril. After about 15 minutes, the swelling began to be noticeably lessened. Now, Dr. Walsh was able to begin a more thorough examination inside the body. What he found was that the previous penis amputation left Apollo with some scarring, which has caused a slight stricture. He speculates that this then caused Apollo to begin straining some to urinate, which allowed some back up into the bladder, causing a bladder infection. The bladder infection lead to a UTI and then to the infection in the anal glands. All of these procedures and expressing of the anal glands lead to an unusual amount of swellilng that was being continually irritated by the frequent straining and struggling in the e-collar. He did not remove the scar tissue because he feared that it would only allow more scar tissue and begin a viscious cycle.

C&S results will be in in a few days. Urinalysis revealed a significantly increased white cell count and a few crystals. So, we will continue to treat the bladder and urinary tract infections.

Soooo - Apollo left the vet with NO swelling and was so happy when he woke up that he began hopping all over the table and chirping! It must feel nice to finally have an empty bladder! We are trying a different topical steroidal anti-inflamatory med, and left with more antibiotics. He also came home with more pain meds, since he is having some cramping while his bladder and cloacal area go back to normal size after being stretched so much (kinda like after having a baby).

Apollo was much more active last night than he has been since I brought him home. He still hisses to pee or poop, but WAS able to pee and poop multiple times. The struggle now will be to keep him from becomming swollen again.

NOW I'm off to an emergency visit with my dog, Tater Tot. I swear, it is never ending!

Val, God bless you, that is all I can say!!!! Glad the swelling is down (after what I went through with Petey, wouldn't wish it on anyone!) Now what is up with your dog???? You need a vacation, woman! Be safe and post when you get home. Prayers going out for Tater!