SH
Member
Posts: 220
|
Post by SH on Apr 24, 2014 15:53:52 GMT -8
Hi Everyone,
Well, since we lost Charcoal back in January - aside from the weather things here have been fairly tranquil and normal and and our furry ones and us humans have been enjoying each others company. But, unfortunately that came to an end last night when we found that Teddy Bear was not acting normal - in fact he was very lethargic. We took him to the vet today and the vet has diagnosed a urinary tract infection - he also found a growth on his abdomen, which as of now is a secondary problem. Teddy Bear has a partial blockage caused be crystals. The vet gave him a dose of Baytrill and we will be returning to the vet tomorrow morning at which time the vet is hoping to figure a way to remove the blockage.
We are very much so hoping that the Baytrill will take care of the infection and there by relieve some of the blockage so Teddy Bear can get rid of at least some of the fluids before his system is overcome.
Well kept you all updated.
|
|
|
Post by Coneja on Apr 24, 2014 16:57:00 GMT -8
Oh, that sounds so scary. Good that you were able to recognize how off he was and get him in quick. Hoping for the best for you and Teddy Bear! Let us know how it goes... Edit: maybe (if you haven't already) putting a warm water bottle in there on one side of the tank could help him stay warm and comfortable... At least, that's what I've heard for respiratory infections so I imagine it couldn't hurt to give him the option of cuddling up to a heat source. Another member could probably confirm this and give more tips on making him as comfortable as possible... Again, good luck!
|
|
|
Post by johanne on Apr 24, 2014 21:21:20 GMT -8
Poor Teddy Bear! Hope he's feeling better soon. A source of extra heat would be a good idea to help with the healing process.
|
|
|
Post by qtoffer on Apr 24, 2014 21:22:28 GMT -8
Hope the Baytril knocks out Teddy Bear's UTI. Hopefully, once the infection is gone, he will be able to flush out the crystals. I had a good outcome with Baytril and a gerbil UTI - the vet injected the antibiotic AND sent me home with several days worth of oral doses.
|
|
SH
Member
Posts: 220
|
Post by SH on Apr 25, 2014 15:03:14 GMT -8
UPDATE:
Well, this morning, before going to the vet we put Teddy Bear into the playpen and just as we hoped he did urinate not once, but three times within a half-hour . We also found a soiled area on one of the pieces of flat cardboard we have in the tank that is a sort of deck. Needless to say, we were very pleased to see that Teddy Bear was able to release some fluid. At the vet, the vet informed us that Teddy Bear was warmer today then he was yesterday and Teddy was not having so much trouble with the light on his eyes as he was yesterday.
So, we are thinking that the dose of Baytrill the vet gave yesterday has already had a positive effect. We will be continuing the Baytrill for at least 2-weeks when we have the next follow-up vet visit. We are also giving Teddy Bear Nutri-Cal oral gel as a supplement, which he loves.
Teddy Bear is exhausted, but he is moving around and while he was in his playpen this morning, although he was moving around a bit slower then normal - he, was doing all is usual stuff.
|
|
|
Post by catnut on Apr 25, 2014 15:18:18 GMT -8
good wishes for Teddy Bear.
|
|
|
Post by Coneja on Apr 25, 2014 23:00:34 GMT -8
That's really good news! Hope he continues to improve! Maybe if you're trying to monitor his urine output in the tank you could put in a little dish of bathing sand and see if he uses it as a bathroom? One of mine uses it as a toilet, although the others just play in it so it depends on the gerb I guess. Just a thought, though it sounds like he's doing much better.
|
|
SH
Member
Posts: 220
|
Post by SH on Apr 26, 2014 19:57:52 GMT -8
UPDATE:
Teddy Bear had a good day today, he took several seeds and also took his dinner from my hand, both of which we were delighted to see him do. He is also stronger, when I go to get him to give him his Bartrill dose, he is now playing hard to get and he is wrestling me when I actually give him the Baytrill.
We have been able to check his urin, buy watching for the urin stains on the cardboard landing we made for him in his tank, although we can not measure the actual amount of output - just knowing that he is urinating is enough. We are hoping that all this is a sign the Baytrill is killing off the UTI.
All in all, today Teddy Bear was really acting more like himself. We, however are not going to become complacent as we know all to well that the infection can fool us. One day at a time - and hopefully each passing day will be better and better.
|
|
|
Post by qtoffer on Apr 26, 2014 21:38:52 GMT -8
Great news!
Like I said, I had a good experience treating a UTI with Baytril. Just be sure to give Teddy Bear every dose exactly as the vet prescribed, even if he's looking better.
|
|
SH
Member
Posts: 220
|
Post by SH on Apr 28, 2014 17:23:05 GMT -8
UPDATE:
Teddy Bear is now into the 5th day of Baytrill and we are very happy to see him digging and playing hard to get when it's time for his med. We only hope that Teddy Bear in someway knows that we are trying to help him feel better. He has been eating from his food bowl the last two days and we are continuing to give him his supplement.
Of course once the UTI is cleared up, we will still have the growth on his abdomen to deal with.
|
|
|
Post by Coneja on May 1, 2014 21:16:16 GMT -8
Yay! I'll keep my fingers crossed that he keeps improving and that the lump isn't going to be too serious...
|
|
SH
Member
Posts: 220
|
Post by SH on May 2, 2014 14:48:51 GMT -8
UPDATE:
Today we are celebrating Teddy Bear's 3rd Birthday! What a difference one week and Baytrill makes - last week we really thought we were going to loose him and although he is not yet out of the woods, just seeing him being responsive to us and moving around in his home doing his gerbil stuff is such a great gift.
|
|
|
Post by qtoffer on May 2, 2014 15:40:27 GMT -8
Great to hear! Happy birthday, Teddy Bear! How well did he take the Baytril? My vet gave me 1 ml plastic syringes filled halfway with 500 ul (5 doses). I would hold the gerbil with her back against my palm. I gently held her shoulders between my thumb and forefinger while keeping my pinky wrapped around the base of her tail - her back legs were free. My girl would grasp the syringe with her front paws and slurp up the Baytril as I slowly squeezed out the dose onto her mouth. I had heard that Baytril was bitter and difficult to dose, but my gerbils never seemed to mind it.
|
|
SH
Member
Posts: 220
|
Post by SH on May 2, 2014 17:40:00 GMT -8
Great to hear! Happy birthday, Teddy Bear! How well did he take the Baytril? My vet gave me 1 ml plastic syringes filled halfway with 500 ul (5 doses). I would hold the gerbil with her back against my palm. I gently held her shoulders between my thumb and forefinger while keeping my pinky wrapped around the base of her tail - her back legs were free. My girl would grasp the syringe with her front paws and slurp up the Baytril as I slowly squeezed out the dose onto her mouth. I had heard that Baytril was bitter and difficult to dose, but my gerbils never seemed to mind it. Teddy Bear hardly loves getting the dose each night, but he seems to have learned the routine and we give him a treat as a reward.
The vet gave us a small bottle of Baytrill and several syringes, my wife measures the dose (0.10ml) and I get Teddy Bear from his home - sometimes he is right on top as though he knows it's time so let's just get it over with and other times he leads me in a bit of a chase.
My wife sits next to me with the dose and treat and I hold Teddy Bear on my chest while supporting him in my left hand and doseing him with my right hand, we then let him know how good he is petting him and treating him before we put him back home.
|
|
|
Post by Coneja on May 5, 2014 6:14:15 GMT -8
The vet gave us a small bottle of Baytrill and several syringes, my wife measures the dose (0.10ml) and I get Teddy Bear from his home - sometimes he is right on top as though he knows it's time so let's just get it over with and other times he leads me in a bit of a chase.
This made me laugh. Glad to hear he's improving.
|
|