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Post by steffholmes on Oct 22, 2012 1:35:49 GMT -8
thanks, he's still very lively, i just cant see how deep the wound is, and his fur keeps getting trapped in it managed to give it a good wash though, hopefully the vets will be able to either get the pus out, or give me some more antibiotics or both
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Post by sofluffy on Oct 22, 2012 1:56:05 GMT -8
I do hope you get something for him, poor little miter
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Post by steffholmes on Oct 22, 2012 8:44:40 GMT -8
well nikolai is down to a 50/50 chance of surviving again the skin around his wounds has died an turned black (which i thought were either dried blood or scabs) and this has pulled the skin so much is split, the vet said he could have an op (up to £80) to remove the dead skin and try to patch it up with his own, which might not work because of the large area affected, either that or have him put to sleep however she said because he seems to be fairly healthy and lively then its possible that the skin will drop off itself and new skin will grow, i will just have to keep the area clean, and bathe it 3 times a day. she also said to stop with his antibiotics as they can cause internal problems, but to keep giving him his metacam to help with the pain and also because it has anti-toxins in which should help I am to expect lots of smelly discharge now that he has an open wound, but this is normal, and to cut off any dead skin that starts to peel away
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Post by catnut on Oct 22, 2012 15:30:45 GMT -8
sorry to hear about Nikolai,i would try what the vet says about cleaning him up and see how he is each day. Good wishes for Nikolai. I know it is hard when your pet is injured,i've had afew over many years and just had to look after two older gerbils who passed away from their illnesses.
Thinking of you,
Tammy
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Post by steffholmes on Oct 23, 2012 0:08:17 GMT -8
thanks tammy, it is hard when you are trying so much to make them better, I just hope he can pull through this, as he does seem to be in high spirits as opposed to when he first got bitten, now he is very active but i have had to separate him from his brother so they don't aggravate the wound further, which i am sad about as he most likely will not be able to rejoin them when he is better
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Post by sofluffy on Oct 23, 2012 2:13:12 GMT -8
Why not? Have you read in to split cages?
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Post by steffholmes on Oct 23, 2012 4:36:23 GMT -8
i havn't, but i use the rotastak cages so im not sure if they would work? i am going to research more into introducing gerbils though, as i don't him to suffer
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Post by sofluffy on Oct 23, 2012 4:50:10 GMT -8
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Post by catnut on Oct 23, 2012 15:43:23 GMT -8
that is good to hear he is active,i'd take that as a good sign as he is feeling okay.
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Post by sofluffy on Oct 23, 2012 15:51:49 GMT -8
I hope he is ok xx
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Post by steffholmes on Oct 27, 2012 9:36:42 GMT -8
just thought i'd give another update
so over the past few days ive been cleaning nikolai with hot water an milk (no the vets didnt tell me to do this but i've always treated animal wounds with it an its always worked wonders), and the dead skin is starting to separate a lot from him now, i was worried he wasnt growing new skin but i managed to remove some dried pus today and it showed nice pink skin underneath, so hopefully he should continue to heal up nicely, also, contrary to what many people have told me, i am not putting him down until i have just cause, as he is very active, and seems only slightly less normal in his behaviour (he sometimes just sits and does nothing, but then will eat a lot, run in his wheel, drink and burrow. i also continue to 'flush' out each wound with the liquid they gave me, and put savlon on. He is very smelly due to the discharge but that was expected so im not to bothered right now.
so there ya go, if people want pictures to see what the 'dead' skin looks like then i will take some and post, as this is not something i had ever heard of before now.
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Post by catnut on Oct 27, 2012 15:22:10 GMT -8
glad Nikolai seems to be healing,you are a good gerbil mom. Take care,Tammy
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Post by steffholmes on Oct 28, 2012 2:13:32 GMT -8
thank you tammy, my dad thinks im an idiot for spending so much money and time on him but he doesnt understand how an animal can become family
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Post by sofluffy on Oct 28, 2012 6:41:27 GMT -8
Oh certainly. one of my pups at 3 weeks old was incredibly ill, and I had to feed him antibiotics every 12 hours and milk every 1/2 hours. It makes you bond with an animal even more, though, after you have nursed them I think.
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Post by steffholmes on Oct 28, 2012 7:46:38 GMT -8
well i wish that was true, but nikolai is not the bonding type haha, although i think he is becoming a bit depressed as I've had to separate him from his brothers whilst his skin heals, any tips for keeping him happy until i can reunite them??
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