Possible leg amputation...

Hi Everyone,
this is my first post and i am so glad I found this forum. I registered last night, just in case, and found out this morning it was a good plan. I recently adopted 3 adorable suggies, a male and 2 females (the male is my dream glider) from a very nice lady in Florida and I am leaving to pick them up in the am. AnywayIi received an e-mail this morning saying that the little boy had escaped during the night and the gliders in the neighboring cage were less than friendly and now his back leg is not working at all and may have to be amputated in a few days if he doesnn't begin to show signs of healing:(. Well I decided that I, of course, still want him. I mean if one of my sons had a leg amputated I would still want him, and he would need me to want him more than ever! Anyway my dad and brother only have one leg so I guess it runs in my family;).

So I was wondering for those of you who have experience with this if the Gliders he will be living with will have a problem with this? I have one soon to be neutered male and like I said I will be getting the 2 girls and my little gimp who I may elect to have neutered in the event of a leg amputation. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum. My first question is about the actual injury. Is there a visible wound? Is the leg "hanging" limply or does he have puposeful movement? Either way, he does need immediate vet attention. Where in Florida is the gal who currently has the gliders? Maybe I know of a vet near her. With a wound, there's the chance of infection as well as pain. With a bone or muscle injury, there will be pain as well. A glider in pain has a much greater chance of self-mutilating. I'm glad you'll still be adopting him, and gliders who have had limbs amputated live very normal lives. There may be some cage modifications necessary, but that can be handled if necessary later. The primary concern is to get this little guy to a vet ASAP.

Yes, vet ASAP.

Please make sure that the little one has x-rays. Not using a leg TODAY does not mean that it must be amputated.

I'm so glad you found this forum as well. I am heading out to work, but would love it if you would give me a call to discuss this little one.

I do want to say right away, though, that gliders with an amputated leg do VERY well - most of the time with no special modifications. They adapt wonderfully.

Please give me a call
cell 806-395-0181
home 806-274-9177

WELCOME to The Sweet Spot!

thanks for the quick response! he actually has seen a vet and they said to give him a few days to see what would happen. i don't know all of the details but i do trust the lady he is with as she is a reputable breeder. i don't have a lot of info yet but i will e-mail and post as soon as possible!

Did the vet give any meds? Is there an open wound? While there are some times when "wait and see" is necessary, pain management is very important. Ask the person who has him to send you a picture of the leg and give you some more details about the injury so that you have a better idea of what the situation is.

thanks! i already spoke to Val over the phone and am awaiting an update on my little guy but as soon as i know you will too!

Welcome to TSS!! I really dont have anything else to offer other than my hugs, thoughts and prayers that your new little man will be just fine! Please do keep us updated. Everyone here is so helpful and there is a ton of experienced owners here that have been through situations involving special needs gliders. Your in great hands!

I would still go with a vet visit when you get home. It just sounds odd that 2 nights before you are leaving to pick him up he escapes & has a leg injury. I don't mean to sound all negative about the breeder but in a situation like this, I would have the leg looked after myself.

What's your dream glider? The FL breeder is USDA licensed? Is that still a requirement for owning gliders in GA?

I think that most of us are remembering Janie's situation with the tail injury and hoping this is not another case like that. From talking with Michelle, it does sound like this glider has actually been to the vet.

Michelle does plan to get him to her own vet once he is home. I'm anxious to hear what x-rays show!!!

(oh, her dream glider is a leu).

yes, thank you Val, i am absolutly going to the vet when he gets here. in fact i have alredy spoken with mine and she is waiting to hear back from me. thank you all for the concern! i still don't have all the details but i do know that there was no x-ray, but he was put on antibiotics and pain meds and that he is eating and drinking well and being kept as still as possible. i am hoping to get him in the morning but i am waiting to hear back. i will let you all know asap! Now i have to go put all my skin kids to bed before i pull my hair out!!!

Welcome!!!! I have a glider who broke her leg 10 weeks ago and she is all healed up with no splint or anything! However there are many different types of breaks! She was sent home with pain meds and antibiotics as well. Wishing good thoughts for you and your soon to be new fur family!!! :)

Welcome fellow floridian. What part of Fl are you in?

Michelle
Did you get the glider? How is he? Did he see the vet?

I'm anxious for an update!

Hi all,
i'm so sorry i took me so long to get back to everyone. my computer suddenly stopped working and then me and one of my kids got the flu.

as it turns out i never ended up getting the little guy. things just didn't work out, but i am sure he is being taken care of. thank you all for being concerned and jumping to help.

i will keep in touch!