Abscess on the side of the face? "Lumpy Jaw"?

[Burnett09]

Hey people,


Our male glider has developed a lump on the left side of his face. It isn't bothering him we don't think and he seems himself but we are obviously worried about it.

Along with his partner they diet on Papaya, Blackberries and Apple along with meal worms and Go-Cat along with Glider booster and Glider Cal. With the occasional chicken or yogurt to keep them happy. Has anyone else here had the same issues? Is there a way to resolve it? We're going to book him an appointment at our vets, and wondered if anyone that's down south has any other vet recommendations just in case ours is clueless. We know of one about 40 minutes away that has treated gliders before so will be giving them a call too.

Hes let me prod and poke at it while hes sat on me so is definitely not causing him any pain though obviously could do in the long run and possibly end up with both of them having it (Hence the worry!) I read the thread on "Lumpy Jaw" and it seems to dismiss that hard food could be the cause. How many cat biscuits are too much per meal a day just in case?

Any advice will be definitely appreciated.


Thanks a lot.  


Luke.

[Rhianna]

Cat biscuits do not cause lumpy jaw. that is a terrible USA myth. But i woulod get your glider off the Go-Cat biscuits. they are not really suitable for gliders. Iams or James Wellbeloved is alot better. Basically higher quality cat biscuits.

I feed my gliders about 6 biscuits each in their meals but they get the odd few during the day as treats. But alot of people on here put a bowl of cat biscuits in their gliders cages for meal times without them soaking in fruit juices and they are fine, so cat biscuits is not the cause.

Go to your vet and get your vet to check the eye first and then a dental exam. My Onion gets a swelling on her face (as of yet the cause is undetermined) and the first things we check for was an eye infection or a tooth problem causing an absess.

Can you put any pictures up so i can see if its the same as my Onions or not? x

[Burnett09]

Thanks a lot! Puts our minds at rest a little and we'll upgrade on the cat biscuits 

Ill try and get a picture and put it up. Luckily he'll quite happily sit still for 5 minutes so I can take it! 

[Burnett09]

Okay,

Heres the best I can do, I highlighted the area where the lump is. It doesn't show up much in the photos.









 

[Amalthea]

What a handsome glider!!!

As for the lump, you have caught it very early, so take him into the vet and have an x-ray done to see if he's got a problem with his tooth or eye.

[Marie]

A simple course of anti biotics should clear up the lump - not that I can even see the lump!  Lol!  I second Rhi's advise to change the cat biscuits.

[Rhianna]

yeah that is a very early lump! its slightly lower down then my Onions but deffo go to the vets. He will probs give you Baytril which is great fun to give to a glider! lol

it looks like it may be something to do with one of his bottom teeth or maybe a swollen gland? get your vet to check it out and then let us know. x

[Burnett09]

Yeah will take him for a check up and change the biscuits. The lump feels about the size of a peanut. Shame it didnt show up as much. 

[Amalthea]

I would request synulox instead of baytril.  Not only is it nice tasting (quite sweet), but it's better at getting rid of abscesses.

[Rakuen]

I think everyone else has answered your questions, but I just wanted to say, what a gorgeous glider!! wub

[loulou]

*echos what Bert said*

[Burnett09]

Just a little update,

Went to the vets and luckily they a locum Exotics vet there. She said the lump was very small and that she couldn't diagnose it enough to define the exact issue.

We have to go back in a week if the lump increases and they will take Xrays and samples. So we just have to monitor him for the week 

[Gary and Rachael]

How is your suggie doing? We went to go to bed last night, and said good night to our gliders, and noticed one had a small lump on its jaw! So came on here, and read this! We took her to the vet and they said it was an abscess, and we got Baytril aswell!!
its not been our month with these girls!
Hope your :sg: is ok.

[Burnett09]

Believe it or not its gone. Fingers crossed it wont come back either. Like I said up there a bit, It was around the size of a peanut and after paying the 25 quid at the vets the next day it starts to go down and now 4 or 5 days on its not there at all  

He seems fine and was fine when he had it. The vet didn't give us anything to treat it with as we had to monitor him for a week as she said it was too early to tell. It makes me want to know more what it was now because its gone!  :-S

I hope you little critter is okay. Let us know how you get on 

[Gary and Rachael]

So gald your  :sg: lump has gone, ours has aswell! It got big very quick! But nothing now! So pleased!