Well I am the elusive roommate mentioned here and have been asked to give an update since I took the call from the Vet. The Doc said we had some good new as that the abcesses were starting to heal up and close fully. We still have one pocket above his shoulder that is a concern but it seems to be healing as well. The infection isnt gone and they are taking another culture to see if they missed something on the first one. In the morning they may decide on a more aggressive antibiotic depending on how the wound looks in the morning.

Casey is being a trooper and fighting hard for his mama. Our biggest concern now is his weight as well as getting this infection killed. He went from around 100 grams to hovering around 82 to 85 grams in the course of 3 weeks. While he is eating, he just isnt eating as much as he was before this and of course his body is burning the calories trying to fight off this infection. His schedule is off too that I am sure isnt helping since we keep waking him up for meds and wound care. On a plus he has been drinking water and staying hydrated. He is a strong boy and I am being positive that he is gonna pull through this as well as us.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers and hopefully more good news in the morning!

Thank you for the update, elusive roommate Aiden!

Yes, thank you Aiden. Of course Casey is in our thoughts and prayers.

Sending best wishes your guys' way.

Aiden, a few extra mealies
here and there will add a few grams to his weight eventually.

Just don't go overboard like I did with Kai. He's finally getting a little gut on him.

We visited Casey at The UofI clinic today, I was so happy to see his little face! He seemed to be feeling better and the vet said he was eating/acting better, but he probably can't come home for a couple more days...

They have gone back to the open wound treatment with gauze and removed the beads for now. They think the beads may have shifted just from Casey's regular movements and put pressure on the stitches.

Frustratingly, Casey now has one spot under his left arm where the infection has broken through to the other side. He literally has a hole, stuffed with gauze, that goes from the front of his patagium to the back. It would be humorous if it wasn't so heart-breaking, because it looks like Casey decided to go 'biker' and get him self a piercing. I had planned to take video, but forgot in the excitement of seeing/holding him today, I'm so sorry!

The UofI has been keeping picture documentation of the wounds progression, however because the UofI Small animal clinic is also a teaching clinic we've had to deal with several different student assistance's and I don't know how consistent they have been taking pics during the surgery's. Someone may actually end-up doing a paper on this whole experience...

On the bright side, just about everyone in the department at sometime or another has met and become invested in Casey's recovery. He is getting lots of cuddle time with the different vet students and everyone thinks he is the sweetest glider they have ever met. At least one student is now seriously considering going into exotics because of little Casey!

I'll update again, hopefully with good news after his surgery tomorrow. We are trying to stay positive!

That must look like a hoot. Once he is completely healed up, you can post pictures of this hoodlum,huh? Glad he's doing better. He's never far from my thoughts or prayers.

Poor thing, he has been through such an ordeal. He sure is a little fighter! It is nice to hear there are so many people invested in his recovery and it really would be cool if someone wrote a paper regarding the glider-cat interaction/injury. Your posts could also offer a type of "diary" (so to speak) along with the vet's notes, pictures, etc. I am always praying for little Casey!! Thanks so much for all the updates, I am following this topic very closely and praying he will finally be on the mend and can be reunited with his momma and Cody.

Ohh my its been a week or so since i have been able to read all the updates & i must say i look up to you so much, you have gone above and far beyond to help Casey. My thoughts and prayers are with you & little Casey. You both a such troopers!

Poor Sweet Casey! Doesn't he know there are easier ways to get a body-piercing!?

Sending good thoughts to all of you!

What a little trooper! Have you added some Avocado to his diet? It is good for gliders that need to gain weight.

Ok Casey Update!!!

We went to see our little boy again today and spend some time pampering him. He is a little fighter that is for sure and perks up when his mama is near. On to his health.. we are now fighting 2 infections. As of the latest culture he has a staff and strep infection. The 2 types of antibiotics we have him on are supposed to treat both according to the Doc. They have closed up his piercing but still have the main incision open and are doing bandage changes. They are afraid if they miss anything they may close up on the infection and not get the treatment where it will do the most good. They have gone to using a honey treated guaze to draw the infection too.. and the idea of using sugar on a sugar glider to treat a wound has the vet staff smiling.

Today the Doc seemed to display the most optimism I have seen from her so far, which gave us a boost of hope. They said the wound looks really good today but they are still going to take it one day at a time. To be honest all I really want to hear is them telling us the infection is gone once and for all. The stress is hard on him and he is down to 79 to 81 grams. We are bringing him his food and keeping extra on hand at the hospital to help out the staff as well as keep him on the right type of diet. The 2nd boost to our hope was last night, it the first night he ate everything that was given to him as well as his 12 mealies we gave him earlier in the day.

So we are hopeful and stressed and trying to be just as strong as him. One thing I am so thankful for is the staff have taken such a intrest in him and his recovery. There are just tons of good vibes and love around him that I am sure he can feel. We have so many people coming up and talking to us because they know our story or know Casey and half the time they just start up a conversation with us about him and how he is the greatest. Most of the time I have no clue who they are, let alone if they are staff or just a random person in the hospital.

Since Casey is staying at the hospital my new job has been Cody. Instead of night shifts watching and treating Casey, I am on fun happy play time with Cody. We are trying to keep him active and entertained to make sure he doesnt get too depressed. Easter came early to him as his mama gave him easter eggs filled with mealies and yougies.

So in short we have improvement but still have a long way to go...(sorry for the wall of text)

thank you for that wall of text!! believe me, everyone on here is clinging to your every word about Casey!! Glad it's getting better and better!!

What a trooper my Prayers are still with you guys and Casey

I want to just cry because this makes my heasrt swell with joy. I think the words you are looking for are cautiously optimistic? How can he not be okay with the amount of prayers being sent his way? Go Casey, go!

Thank you for the update!
My prayers are with you guys and casey!
He is a little fighter!

~Erica~

Today has been craptacular with horrible news from several sources today.

Reading this update has been the highlight of my day, and I'm crying happy tears for you all.

Best to the four of you!
Alden

quote:

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Originally posted by valkyriemome

Today has been craptacular with horrible news from several sources today.

Reading this update has been the highlight of my day, and I'm crying happy tears for you all.

Best to the four of you!
Alden

---

Oh no! I hope things get better for you. If you'd like another smile here is Cody with his easter eggs...it's too cute, if a little long. I'm loving the fact that these are see-through and have little 'smelling' holes on the ends so he can see and smell the treat...and carry them around!

OMG! When he's looking at you through the egg - and then licking the inside of the egg! CUTE!

lol that is funny and cute I need to get Easter eggs and fill with mealies inside it look fun for the gliders

Oh mam I love that!

Haha, sooo cute.

CUTE!!!:)

~Erica~

CUTE!!!:)

~Erica~

Keep up the fight little guy!

quote:

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Originally posted by LuckyGlider

Keep up the fight little guy!

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Heh heh, wanna be a glider godfather?

Casey is continuing to take baby steps in the right direction, but he is still going through daily surgery's to change the bandages and check the abscess area. Today they said the pocket areas look to be shrinking and some nice granular tissue is developing, but the infection is still an issue. We will not get new culture results until Monday.

It's draining to go see him and then have to leave without him...not to mention that my credit card has burned up in a fiery explosion of shock...but I guess that's what credit cards are for...and tax returns!

We have lost count of the number of surgery's but I believe we've hit or just about hit 20. I can't imagine the toll daily anesthesia is having on his little body, but he is still active, even eating a little better. He is certainly excited to see me when we visit, immediately scrambling for my shirt and after a treat (or 10) he passes out and makes happy little 'popping' noises that I love dearly. It's soul wrenching to have to leave him, but we know at the UofI Clinic he is receiving excellent care and 24-hour monitoring. Keep fingers crossed that he continues his baby-steps forward!
In hope,
Chris

so glad to hear that he is getting better. go Casey!!

Glad to hear he is doing better! :)

~Erica~

Baby steps today, learning to run tomorrow. I doubt any other glider has gotten so much support. Well, maybe one other but that's because we are glider people.

Update:

We just got back from seeing Casey. They ran a new culture last week and we finally got the results...not real good. He has strep, staph that has become MIRSA and one other that my tired brain can not think of atm. He will need to continue his stay for daily medication and bandage changes, it's draining.

I'm just so tired and frustrated...and upset and everything you can imagine.

Ed, I mentioned you as a reference and they said they know of you. They may contact you at some point and I hope that is alright? They are trying a new antibiotic (I just can't remember it right now) and they were unsure of dosage and such.

With the vet costs continuing to increase (and no real end in sight) I was thinking of using one of my hobbies to help off-set some of the cost. I do jewelry designs using many different materials and have been thinking about creating several glider themed pieces. If anyone thinks they might be interested it would be motivation to get my butt in gear and I can share some pics of the results...and if their is interest maybe finally get my etsy site up and running.

As always in hope...