| The Sweet Spot INFORMATION concerning sugar glider health and husbandry matters |
| | Advice Please for Anal Gland Issue | |
| | Author | Message |
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SuggieG
Posts : 22 Join date : 2011-08-02
| Subject: Advice Please for Anal Gland Issue Thu Nov 22, 2012 1:41 am | |
| Hi Everyone,
I took one of my gliders to the vet with wet fur around her cloaca. I have had Sweet Pea for 8 years and she has never had any health issues before.
After the vet examined her, he came back and told me that her anal glands were swollen and that he had expressed them. Without asking me! I told him that I had read that expressing should never be done because of possibility of infection complications and he just talked over me. He even went on to tell me that I should try to express them myself at home over the next few days. He has given me Metacam for her. Five days straight, then switch to every other day for ten days.
I'm not happy with the treatment and unsure about the prolonged use of Metacam. I am with her every night and she is eating normally but her stool output has been significantly decreased. I have checked her back end and nothing feels swollen and it looks ok. But I am worried that something is not right.
Can anyone give me any guidance of what to do over the holiday weekend?
Thank you, Renee | |
| | | Something_To_Believe_In Associate
Posts : 4565 Join date : 2009-12-10 Age : 51 Location : Texas
| Subject: Re: Advice Please for Anal Gland Issue Thu Nov 22, 2012 9:12 am | |
| For the holiday weekend, feed her soft, watery foods and decrease her protein intake just a bit. This will help the stools move a bit easier. If you let us know what your diet consists of, I can help you with foods if you need.
You are right in that the anal glands should never be expressed. If needed, they can be aspirated with a needle. If her anal glands are impacted or swollen, that would indicate an infection. Therefore, and antibiotic is necessary to treat. Metacam is not an antibiotic. So, I would get myself to the nearest emergency vet and request an antibiotic. Bacterial infections must be treated with antibiotics. | |
| | | Usha77 MENTOR
Posts : 1808 Join date : 2009-12-13 Age : 47 Location : Greeley, CO
| Subject: Re: Advice Please for Anal Gland Issue Fri Nov 23, 2012 8:28 am | |
| Val gave you some very good advice. I hope you are able to get antibiotics for your little one. Please let us know how it goes. Good luck! | |
| | | MatracaD
Posts : 1 Join date : 2014-01-15
| Subject: Re: Advice Please for Anal Gland Issue Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:25 am | |
| I have 2 gliders and my males anal glands swell sometimes well this last time it lasted longer so I took him to the vet and they poked a hole and drained it and they sent a urine sample to an exotic vet they also told me that it his stomach as somehow moved down to his butt area. The results just came back and they said his pacific gravity is low and they want another urine sample but they want it early morning before he eats or drinks anything. what's going on with my baby I've had him for a year i don't know what's happening to him or what to do the vet said they may have to do surgery to move his stomach back up? What should I do? Anyone ever heard of this happening? :( | |
| | | GliderguyKev
Posts : 126 Join date : 2011-05-06 Location : Vancouver, WA
| Subject: Re: Advice Please for Anal Gland Issue Sat Jan 18, 2014 9:06 am | |
| Swollen anal glands may be caused by infection. Did the vet culture the fluid that was drained? Did they prescribe any medications? Low specific gravity of the urine merely indicates the urine is diluted and that is why they want a second sample. Honestly, I would seek out an exotic vet who has experience treating sugar gliders before you consider further treatment. | |
| | | Usha77 MENTOR
Posts : 1808 Join date : 2009-12-13 Age : 47 Location : Greeley, CO
| Subject: Re: Advice Please for Anal Gland Issue Sat Jan 18, 2014 9:49 am | |
| If nothing else, I would have your vet consult with a vet who has more experience with gliders, like Dr. Walsh. | |
| | | Something_To_Believe_In Associate
Posts : 4565 Join date : 2009-12-10 Age : 51 Location : Texas
| Subject: Re: Advice Please for Anal Gland Issue Sat Jan 18, 2014 11:40 am | |
| What testing did your vet do to come to this conclusion about the stomach? Absolutely do not have surgery as described without a lot more information and a second opinion. Contact me if you need to. | |
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