TheJadeFlower Tail SM

I don't know. Very stressed. Saw vet today. She said tip of tail is dead again and needs more amputation. Another $250 I don't have. What options do I have. I don't want to give her up. I'm not a fair weather animal owner, but I don't want her to suffer because I can't afford ongoing vet bills. Since I couldn't afford another amputation the vet said she would try to research some other options ans call us in a few days. In the mean time it seems we are just hoping infection doesn't set in. She is still in an e-collar. Is there any really point to that since she's getting to her tail with it anyway?

I have never used an e-collar with a tail amputation. You need to realize that they WILL mess with the tail after surgery, and that does not mean they are SMing.

I haven't gone back to read -- did you have x-rays to determine where the damage was the first time? She may still be messing with it because there is a break or fracture further up on the tail.

Will your vet consult with Dr. Walsh? He has a technique he uses when doing a tail amp. that allows the glider some freedom to mess with the tail afterward without doing any real damage.

Why don't you give me a call? My numbers are in the "who to call" section of this forum. I can help you -- been through this many times.

Something_To_Believe_In wrote:

I haven't gone back to read -- did you have x-rays to determine where the damage was the first time?  She may still be messing with it because there is a break or fracture further up on the tail.

Good thinking Val. I had this very thing happen with a glider who's owner tried multiple times with the vet and the glider kept chewing at the incision. She brought him tome, took him in to the vet and found it broken up higher. Amputated it and he never chewed it again.

Something_To_Believe_In wrote:

Will your vet consult with Dr. Walsh?  He has a technique he uses when doing a tail amp. that allows the glider some freedom to mess with the tail afterward without doing any real damage.

Good idea. I don't think I mentioned it before, but my most recent tail amputation was healing fine and so I thought we were all good. We weren't, we ended up needing a second amputation, further up, and it was Dr. Walsh who performed that one (due to the fact that we were hundreds of miles from home and really close to him) and all went great after that!

Thank you Val for not judging and continuing to walk me through this. We have not done an x-ray but as I said in my last post at this point I can't afford to. I work two jobs so I'm trying to pick up some extra hours, but how much do X-rays usually run? I will call my vet tomorrow and pass on doctor walshes number. I know my vet doesn't see many gliders (largely a bird clientele). Val I will call soon. Because of the holiday I'm working more condensed hours this week and I work 12hr shifts. I may have my mother call since she is more available and she helps care for the girls. Her name is Sherry.

Hey guys! Just wanted to give an update. Sorry I've been MIA for a bit. Lots going on. I decided to leave my full time job and spend time focusing on all my babies and myself. It's been such a liberating decision! While money will be tight I've found dealing with Stella's condition is much less stressful now that I have time. Anywho...we left our original vet. She was not good ( should I add her as a NOT recommended vet in MO? I'd really like to warn future people about them). After talking with Val (THANKS VAL!) we tracked down another vet and holy cow. What. A. Difference! After we told him how bad the last vet was he was upset. He has charged us practically nothing and Stella is FINALLY on the road to recovery. X- rays show no issues but she will still eat into her tail without a cone. I'm praying once healed she will stop and it won't end up being a legitimate sm thing. Only time will tell I guess. At this point she's spent practically half her life in a cone. We all look forward to her liberation.

My new joeys join the family on Friday. Can't wait to meet them. I hope Jezabel bonds to them quickly... She's been alone for too long!

Speaking of Jezabel. I don't know where to ask this question so I guess I'll just do it here for now. At night, when cuddle time is over and I place Jezebel in her cage - she freezes. Wherever I place her she just stays there. Completely frozen. For maybe about 15 minutes. Then she will just suddenly snap out of it and go about exploring and being normal. Has anyone seen this before?? It really worries me. I will reach in sometimes and pet her or relocate where she is or offer a treat and she just stands there. Frozen.

I'm so happy to hear your update. Thank you for coming back to post! It sounds like you really are on a good road to recovery.

Jezabel sounds normal. It's not common, but it does happen. She is just making sure it's safe before she gets moving again.

I just thought of something, does Jez get treats during play time?

Glad she is doing better. Thank you for updating.
Have you tried placing her in a large pouch when putting her back. She might feel safer.

Curious about the treat question above.

Too add to the treat question, when she freezes, does she do anything else? Does she shake at all? Does she react to you?

I do give treats often when we are interacting and usually one or two to forage for at night (trying not to spoil dinner). When she freezes she shakes sometimes, but usually just sits perfectly still. It's been her cage for awhile now. Why would she still be fearful? Her sister (even with the cone) is the opposite. She shoots around the cage right away.