This glider is now Self Mutilating-and has chewed off some of his toes. Dan is on his way for supplies for an ecollar..and has no one to hold the glider for him while he does. PRAY he doesn't do too much more damage. For the record...NEVER tell someone to wait and see in a situation like this, NEVER. I hope we can save most of whats left. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Peggy and I are working with him on the phone, and we'll update as soon as we can.

I had a little girl who caught her back leg up in a loose string in a pouch. Her back foot and leg were dark purple, areas at the toes were black and she dragged it. I took her to the vet and we watched it also. My vet had me massage her foot several times a day to help with getting the circulation back. Now, I did have the vet look at her several times, but the purple and black areas eventually went away. It took several weeks but she did retain her leg, foot and toes. Like everyone else has pointed out, you need to have a reliable vet that you trust and one that will follow up with you and keep in touch if you have an on going medical issue.

I am so sorry to hear about this!! Lola lost her one of her front paws in a similar accident.Her foot had petrified and had to be removed.She does really well with it now.

The collar needs to be tight enough he can't get it off...it may take a few tries. If his nose starts turning color, take it off, and try again. Put a blanket on the floor, and him in the collar on the blanket. It can take 30 to 40 minutes until they realize it's not coming off. It's heartbreaking to watch, but it will save his life. The looks they give you are heartbreaking as well, but it's to save his life, so stay firm.

The vet will need to clean up the area and possibly put in stitches, depending on how much internal flesh is exposed. Isofluorin is the anesthetic of choice, safest for gliders. A low-dose Valium suspension for pain-which is also anti-anxiety, and for a glider in a collar, invaluable, as they tend to depression, not understanding why you "did" this to them. A broad spectrum antibiotic to prevent infection, like Baytril, as well. He'll need foods he can lick-gliders in a collar have a hard time eating solids, so Ensure or watered BML as a staple, babyfoods, and fruit nectars are good. Offer every few hours. He may not want to eat at normal times, so you could end up offering food as well as drinks every few hours. Keep in mind that the painkiller will make him a bit thirstier than normal. He also will not be able to sleep in a regular pouch with the collar, a hammock works best-or a Tshirt...gliders in a collar tend to want to sleep sort of 'sitting up'-they seem to be more comfortable that way. The more you can keep him with you, the better, and the less chance of severe depression. Also, you may need to use a warm damp washcloth to clean him, since he won't be able to groom himself. Watch for him getting a nail stuck in the moleskin as well (you said he was just trimmed, so that shouldn't be an issue, but keep an eye out). If I think of anything else, I'll post here. Give the little one a kiss for me, too! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />

I would copy Jen's last response and bring to your vet.

I don't know how to thank everyone for all of this help. Be assured I'm doing everything I can for him. I have an appointment in an hour, so I'll post tonight when I get back. He has the collar on him now that I made, and he is sleeping. He ate some baby food earlier and drank some water so I think he's doing pretty well. I'm bringing all of this info with me to the vet when I see him. I'll be sure to update everyone as things occur.

Thanks again... what a great group!

---Dan

Dan, best of luck with him. Hang in there and know you are not alone. I remember how alone I felt when Sebastian was hurt. Kiss him for me and if there is anything I can do to help, don't hesitate to let me know.

Thanks Dan, and good luck!!!

[:"green"]Dan, my prayers are with you & your little guy... Please let us know what happens at the vet's...
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />

Ok, I'm back from the vet. Sorry for the delay, but I'm exhausted. I brought all of the info you guys/girls gave me and showed it to him. He cleaned the foot and put on his magnifying glass helmet thing and he proceeded to trim any dead tissue away. There wasn't much, so that's a good thing. He said it seemed like the baby is feeling some pain in the foot while he was trimming, so that's good. I asked him if we should use a pain killer, but he advised against it since pain meds can do severe damage in such a small critter. He also said that anything he'd be removing shouldn't have any feeling in it anyway. So, he took care of that and said I should give him some Baytril and keep soaking his foot in saline solution to prevent infection.

I then called a vet in VA that was recommended to me. She was wonderful. Her name is Dr. Thomas and she gave me the correct amount of Baytril that I should give him. She even called my pharmacy to check the potency of the Baytril I had for my reptiles. Again, she was wonderful... a true angel. Luckily I have Baytril on hand for my snakes, so I'm using that. He's going to get his first dose in about an hour.

Right now, I have him in a clear Rubbermaid container with a shirt on the bottom. He has an e-collar on and he's sleeping. He didn't like the e-collar at all, but it's staying on which is a great thing. The next day or so will be critical with his healing. If I keep it clean and keep him medicated with the Baytril, he should recover and retain his foot. He lost his toes, but kept his opposable thumb. I'm going to attach a pic of his foot a little later, but please keep in mind, it's not a pretty sight. So don't look if you don't have the stomach for it. Right now he's sleeping and I don't wanna wake him. I'll take the picture later when I soak his foot.

Thanks for all the supporting e-mails. I must ask everyone to please hold on sending the e-mails saying I'm a good glider daddy and everything because all it does is make me cry... it's making me cry now as I'm typing and I need to be strong for him. Who knew I could be this sensitive?!?!?! If you knew me, you'd never see me as the type since I'm kind of a big car and biker guy and all... but I love animals too and I think I'm in more pain than my lil glider baby. I know you all mean the best, but please hold on the emotional comments. I know the intentions are nothing but good, but it's really hard for me to read that stuff. Thank you so much.

The last thing I'm going to say here is that I contacted the people that made my pouches and I advised them of this design flaw. She said it was the first she has ever heard of this. She was devastated and she made the changes that I recommended immediately. She's also sending me a new bonding pouch, and 2 new cage pouches for free. I don't feel that she is at fault here, but it was a slight design flaw that could not have been foreseen unfortunately. Please don't ask who the person was that made the pouches as I will not answer. She is a great lady that loves gliders as much as everyone on this list does, and I love her pouches. This was just an unfortunate accident that happened.

Please, everyone be careful with your gliders. You don't want to go through what I'm going through. It's just a terrible thing to experience.

Again, thanks for all of the help. It's been overwhelming and deeply appreciated. I'll post again when there are updates to post.

---Dan

Ok, so you already know what I want to say cause I have already spoken with you and you asked for us to keep such comments to ourselves <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />!! WHAT?? I didnt say it!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />

Dr. Thomas is amazing I so agree. I am not going to go into everything you and I have already discussed, but I do want to keep reminding you...if you need anything....holler.

Give that baby some glider kisses for me...

By the Way....what IS his name?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />

I haven't named him yet. I'm bad with naming my animals. I can never make up my mind so I just never named any of them. Also, he was for sale and I was going to let the new owner name him. If he pulls through this, I don't know if I'll still offer him for sale or not... depends on a lot of things. He's so sweet and gentile that I hate to sell him, but on the other hand, he might do a world of good at a home where a lonely glider needs a friend... that's more important than me keeping him... we'll see... I call him baby right now... :-)

I was going to post pics of his foot, but I decided against it. However here is a pic of his with the ecollar on. It's very sad so be ready...

sounds like a tough evening. I don't know how I would have handled it, you were probably better than me <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hugs...make sure he stays hydrated and fed..mine refused food and water with the e collar and I have had to force fluids...after almost a week..he is doing better.

Praying for your little guy and hoping he does well!

Thanks. Luckily he's eager to eat and drink. He really seems to like the baby food a lot. He even ate the baby food laced with the Baytril. So that's one less thing I have to worry about...

I hope all is going better for you and your baby <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/offtopic.gif" alt="" />For some reason I can't read the last 2 posts to this thread <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" />

Just FYI my vet sent mehome with IV fluids to give Subcutaneous if needed. This is the same way you give reptiles fluids...

Another FYI if you feel you glider is in pain...then insist on torbugesic...and if you need a vet to consult with your vet...then call or email me and I will put you in touch with Dr Doskey....who is a vet who does a whole bunch of sugar gliders...my number is 985-876-2293 email []eschete344@bellsouth.net[/] and she can give your vet advice....

It's tough to say if he's in pain or not. He's eating fine and fell asleep in my hand earlier when I was petting his head to comfort him. I'm sure there's some pain due to the swelling, but I think it's minimal at this point. His foot is still swollen but I think that will reduce in a few days once the Baytril kicks in. He has a water bottle in his container so at least he'll be hydrated. I'm gonna feed him as much as I can but it probably won't be as much as when he was eating on his own... he's moving around a lot less now so that should mean less food is required.

Words can't describe how stressed I am over this... I have nobody else that can care for him... just me.

Dan, there are those of us who truly understand how you feel. Hang in there and if you need/want to talk or just have questions, you can call me anytime (I don't sleep much anyway) 913 471 4993. That is my home phone. I have dial up so check to see if I'm online first (I'll be on GC if I'm online). If I'm on line, just send me a pm and tell me to get my backside off the computer.

You are not alone in this. You do have a lot of support even if we are not physically there to help.

Yes, there is no doubt that there is support out there. Everyone has been so wonderful coming out to help. It's deeply appreciated... I thought I was the only one out there that would help others with their animals... boy was I wrong! I wish the people in the reptile community were more like this... it's a shame... I really like my reptiles, but the people in the biz are so sleezy... they could learn a thing or two from this group. Right now, I need some sleep. I'm shot. I'm going to be very busy tomorrow and Satuday (rescuing 2 more large burmese pythons on Saturday), but I'll try to give you guys a call this weekend sometime... Thank you so much.

---Dan

We're on the phone with Dan now...sorry for the update delay..I got broadsided yesterday, shoved into oncoming traffic, and then hit from the other side...I am not in good shape right now, so forgive me if updates are late.

Little dude got out of his collar last night, ate some more of his foot off, and the thumb is now hanging by a thread. Most if not all of the foot is going to need to come off, and a painkiller is not optional at this point or he's not going to stop trying to go after it. It's that vicious circle of SM going full force here Pain=chewing=more pain=more chewing, etc. Looks like the collar is staying put for now, and I sent a spare yesterday, and some pouches (one of the ones you sent, Dancing!!-another cage pouch, and a bonding pouch)-what I was doing when I got hit-coming back from the post office. I'll update when I know more and can tolerate being at the computer. Pray for this little guy! He's been through a lot for one so young. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Just got back from the vet and he said the foot looks a LOT better. The little bit of flesh that was left from his opposable thumb had to be removed. It's wasn't much, but there only seems to be live tissue left now. The only concern here is the black patch on the bottom of his foot. The vet said it's not spreading at all and it will most likely peel of in a few days once new skin has replaced it from underneath... kind of like how a callous or scab would come off a human. He said the meds I'm giving him are working. The top of his foot has returned to pink status and blood is flowing well once again. The vet said he truly believes that the foot will recover 100%. I'm going to drop by there again tomorrow morning so he can have another look at it. As long as the collar stays on and the meds are given, I think he's gonna be fine. Keeping fingers crossed...

---Dan

As requested, here are some pics I just took of his foot. The bottom, although dark and red, is still soft and very much alive the vet said.

Here's the top of his foot... looks much better...

[:"green"]Dan,
Thanks for the updates & the pix... It is looking much better than it did the other day.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />

Much better! Now we just have to keep his teeth off of it. Thanks for the new pics, Dan-looks like things are looking up for the little guy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Oh my...I finally got the courage to look again at his foot, and it does look so much better <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />! You have done an amazing job daddy Dan <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/agree.gif" alt="" />. When I saw the very first of this post, I got teary eyed for you both, but things are definately looking up!!!
Karin

His foot looks alot better than yesterdays photos. Sorry I wasn't here earlier when you IM'd me. I was at PT and wasn't home. Keep up the great work <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/agree.gif" alt="" />

Any update's on this baby?

My heart goes out to you Dan, I know first hand how hard it is to have a glider in an ecollar. It is a horrible thing to watch them fight it.

Hope all is well with "Baby".........