Gandalf is home from the vets!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-23-2002
Gandalf is home from the vets!
12
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 9:52pm

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. (It was from an Oxbow
site Sara! The vet agreed with you that they are a good company.) 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!

SuzyPenguin Logo


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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Sun, 10-31-2004 - 12:49pm

What great news Suzy! I'm happy that it sounds positive. Thanks for the update. Keep your hopes high!


Love,


Tricia

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-23-2002
Sun, 10-31-2004 - 2:44pm

Thank you so much Tricia!
I don't know what I'd do without my furbabies. They make my life worth living.
If I am not lucky enough to have human children then I am still grateful to
God to have furbabies to care for. I guess I'm just a nurturer! LOL


((((Hugs))))


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