sneezing, overgrooming, scared suggie mamma

So, I'm really concerned about Cocoa right now. I've posted before about her sneezing (which she does even when she isn't grooming) it's become much more excessive lately. I took a video of her making these noises earlier and got it uploaded. However, I took her out of the cage to check on her, she was sneezing again/still and when I looked at her on my chest, I noticed bald ears. I took a picture to add to the video so maybe someone can help me figure out what is going on with my Fattie McFats-a-lot. I know that gliders show illness once it's really bad and usually too late, hence my worry. Thanks in advance for ANY suggestions or help. If someone wants to call and see if they can hear her over the phone, I have an iphone 4s, so I can facetime or skype or talk to anyone over the phone. I just want to figure out what's going on with my big girl.

Please turn the volume up on your speakers.

I don't see the overgrooming? Not sure why she makes that noise so frequently. Maybe a new scent or something is tickling her nose? If you are worried, I'd bring her to the vet to be on the safe side?

Been on the phone with 2 different vets. I have had my gliders to BOTH offices before, and because the exotic vet isn't in, they won't call in something for her. :( I might just have to make the 2 hour drive one way. She's still sneezing while in my shirt, too.

I feel if you think she is not well then you should take the drive and have her seen. It will ease your mind and also if there is anything it may get worst and you might not be able to get her seen until Monday.

Please let us know what they say.

She could have a sinus or respiratory infection. I would make sure, sure some testing was done before I left the vet. A simple urinalysis might alert you to infection and an x-ray would rule out a respiratory issue.

As for the overgrooming --- it is very hard to see. When we see the words "bald" we expect to see bald. LOL. Always, always, when there is overgrooming, we say to first rule out illness.

I'd like to continue this thread as I'm not sure if the sneezing is or isn't related to Cocoa's current condition. I got some advice that Cocoa might be sneezing due to some new perfume or soap I was using, and I changed, and within 2 days, she quit sneezing.... Then on Thursday (Dec 13) I took Cocoa to the vet because she wasn't using one of her hind legs right.. she was limping and carrying it a little bit. Took her straight to the vet, got a good x-ray of her whole body and the vet looked over her and said it must be a sprain or pulled muscle. Her bones in the x-ray look perfect and the bone density looked great as well. So, we got some metacam and before leaving I said "Does her face look a bit swollen on one side to you?" ... the vet looked and felt, said that she couldn't "Feel" anything, but it did look a little odd, maybe it was just the way the fur was standing up from being messed with during the appointment........ the very next day (Friday) I took her back to the vet because her face was more swollen- on the nose and her cheek like she had a rub of snuff in or something. The vet looked at the x-ray from the day before and had a clear look of her face and saw nothing abnormal on there. She could feel that Cocoa's face was puffy this time. It was ruled that Cocoa had a sinus infection because there was no apparent sign of infection anywhere and the vet got a good look in Cocoa's mouth and didn't see anything wrong with her teeth or mouth. 3 days later, and after being on metacam and baytril, no improvement in the facial swelling. I called the vet and spoke with her over the phone and she said that over the weekend she did a lot of research and found that anything that was ever mentioned online about facial swelling on a sugar glider, it was always an abscess. So, she would prescribe another antibiotic that was commonly used for treating abscesses. Fast forward to TODAY, Cocoa now has these two little nicks on her face. Anyone have any clue what is going on with my girl?

This is Cocoa - showing the facial swelling



And this is Cocoa with the two little nicks on her face that I found earlier today.

It is not unusual for gliders with infections to pick at them and to open the skin in hopes of draining an infection. Baytril is not a great antibiotic for abscesses. If you have switched antibiotics, then you are in great shape. Continue the course of treatment and she should be fine.

I was thinking it could have been her picking at where it was bugging her.

Ok, we have had Cocoa on Baytril AND Clendamayasin (sp?) Good thing: the swelling is going down. bad thing: the other side of her face is swelling now. I talked to the vet and she is baffled. She said she is going to talk to some other vets and I told her that I would talk to some people I know that have experience. Anyone have a clue what might be going on?Thanks

after Cocoa's abscess lancing, the abscess has gotten bigger as you can see below...



That was yesterday or the day before, it might be a little bigger now. I called the vet and I'm waiting on a call back.

ALSO, she's limping/dragging her leg again. Hubby said he thinks it even feels like that particular foot is a little cooler than the rest of her feet. And when she tries to groom with that foot, she thinks she's shaking it... but it's not doing anything..

PLEASE!!!!! Does ANYONE have any clue what's going on with my baby girl??? ALL x-rays of both face and body and leg show perfect teeth, gums, bone density is great, and no breaks or fractures.

I really hope Cocoa gets better quick and you can get some ideas about what's going on with her leg. :(