Gandalf is home from the vets!
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| Wed, 10-27-2004 - 9:42pm |
I just got
home from the vets. It was a wonderful clinic and made a great impression. The
owner/vet we saw took her time and first she got rid of some tufted fur that
must have gotten something sticky on it when he had surgery. She had to clip
& then comb it loose (ouch! Poor baby's skin was red after that). Then she
looked at his teeth and said the vet at the other place we'd gone to last weekend
had done a good job grinding his teeth down so they were even. Gandalf hopped
around & looked real good to her while he was there. She consulted with
another vet at the clinic while we waited to see what she'd learned at a recent
conference on small animals. She gave us a printout on things to feed Gandalf
to make sure he chews (like lots of hay) and some veggies. She said if he chews
enough he may keep his teeth in good shape. She couldn't determine if this was
a genetic problem at this stage. She said it could just be an eating problem.
She said to feed him less pellets so he'll hopefully eat more hay. She said
she knew of vets who had, in severe cases, pulled chin teeth totally so the
roots wouldn't cause them any problems. She said it was even possible to pull
all their teeth if ever needed and to feed him a soft diet. She said
we could be cautiously optimistic and that we should not give up on him yet.
(As if I would. LOL!) She did not do any x-ray because she said it is better
done while they are "under". I wish the vet last weekend would have
x-rayed him while he had his surgery under anesthesia. We will see how he does
over the next 4-6 weeks and then we will take him back to be checked to see
if his teeth have grown back in any harmful way. If he gets another tooth grinding
surgery, we will insist they do an x-ray at that point. Since the surgery his
right eye is a bit irritated but hopefully it'll clear up. I am still unsure
as to how much longer he will live if this condition persists. The vet couldn't
say. As long as he's happy & playful & not in lots of pain I will do
everything possible to extend his life. I think he will let me know when it's
finally time to go to rainbow bridge. If he does well after the next month I
may consider having him neutered so he can live with his beloved Cocoa again
in the same cage. I know he misses cuddling with her! I simply can't allow her
to become pregnant with him knowing this could be a genetic problem. I wouldn't
want the babies to inherit it and die way too young like their daddy might.
The vet agreed.
Thank you
all so much for your prayers & kind words for
my Gandalf! I am not sure which vet to return to in a month for his check up.
Dh says if the first vet did such a good job with grinding his teeth we should
maybe go back to her? I just don't know. Both places obviously know about exotic
animals so they're both probably fine. I guess I can stop feeding him baby food
now (though he did love it. LOL!). I will try some real green beans and some
fresh hay tonight. We'll see.....
Thanks for
listening! Lots of chin rubs from my Gandalf.....and Hugs from me!



^Dusty^,^Tiger^ ,Scooby and Ellie’s Mom
Rachael and Jordan‘s Mom
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I just love my little guy so
That's wonderful news Suzy.
Thanks Cat!
^Dusty^,^Tiger^ ,Scooby and Ellie’s Mom
Rachael and Jordan‘s Mom
Visit Our Website!
Email Me!
Thank you Leslie!