Onion

[Rhianna]

Lately, Onion has been going downhill.

Her fur has gone pretty horrific if im being honest, she is constantly straining and making the constipated popping noise and has a wet bottom. She also slides her back end on the ground, like a dog scooting, although runs pretty normally and uses her back legs fine (hangs upside down from her cage still and furiously scratches and grooms with her back legs). i was getting worried about HLP, but she gets the same diet as my boys with all the vits and calcium supplements and no one else is going downhill, if anything, the boys appear to be getting bigger.

Ive fed her a little bit of OJ and cut her back nails. But ive also noticed she is puffing out alot (she is a very skinny glider and appears to be making herself look bigger). Her breathing seems quite deep and she is "popping" quite alot now. Ive also caught quite a few sneezing fits.

Im aware she is very old and may well be approaching the time to go, but is there anything else you's can suggest as to whats wrong? Her nose is still nice and pink so i dont think its due to the cold or anything like that, but im getting a little worried incase the boys kick her out the nest soon if they detect she is ill?

[Marie]

She could have a urinary tract infection. 

What are her poops like?  Are they moist? Small? Dry?  Does she poop easily?

[Rhianna]

small, moistish. same texture and colour  as everyone elses but very small ball shaped. She appeared to have constipation, as she was straining quite alot, hence the OJ.

Also, she is shaking/quivering alittle bit and her hands are sometimes curled. as said i did just cut her nails so am keeping an eye incase it was just long nails, but ive just read on arthritis?

Might be worth saying her actual behaviour hasnt changed. she is still the boss, very territiorial over food still, ears (or whats left of them shall i say! lol) alert and eyes still nice and bright, doesnt look the the typical sick glider, but we all know how quickly they can go downhill.

[Marie]

Dinx's poops were dark, dry and hard to pass, but on this new diet they became normal again.  She also did the same hissy noises.

Do you give her probiotic yogurt at all?  Sounds like she could do with a bit more of both types of fibre in her diet.  As they get older things slow down and become less efficient. 

Does she hiss while urinating too?

[Rhianna]

i dont no. il get some tomorrow for her. il start doing the new diet aswell. i was waiting until my pay comes through so i can use cash rather then card, but i get paid tomorrow anyways.

not from what ive seen but she peed on the computer desk earlier and there was alot less of it if thats any help?

[Usha77]

Oh, I hope she gets better soon.  *hugs*  I hope it's something that can be helped with the change in diet.

[Emma9383]

fingers crossed she'll get better hun. How old is she by the way?

[Marie]

You might want to pop her too the vets for a poop and wee sample, just to check everything is ok 'down there'.

[Rhianna]

yeah il see if they can squeeze her in next week. Better safe then sorry i guess. I hate the thort of taking her out in this weather like.

[Nell]

This sounds very similar to what Oliver had, he blew up and was hissing all the time. Vet diagnosed it as a UTI and treatment was antibiotics, both injected and orally. The vet also showed me how to "milk" him by gently putting pressure where the bladder is to help him pass urine. Sadly he died a few days later, however he had been treated horribly previously and was severely underweight 

[Rhianna]

oh dear. off to vets on monday i go.

[Rhianna]

Just thought you's would all like an update on Onion. Samples came back all clear. There is apparantly, nothing wrong with her plumbing. Thank God! lol ive had a UTI and they HURT!

Her fur is getting better too and she is passing her poops alot better now. she has been getting a tiny bit of OJ in with her mix and extra calcium powder (to help with her old bones) and extra acacia gum. Her fur is defiantly alot better and her bum is nice and clean. She has a healthy hoop basically.

Im gonna weigh her next week and see if she has gained any weight! She deffo looks bulkier but we shall see...

[Amalthea]

Great news!!!

[Emma9383]

'healthy hoop' lol. Ew, but lol. Pleased she's on the mend bless

[Nell]

SO glad to here this Rhi! I was really worried for you as it sounded so similar to Ollie xx