Jasmine's Vet Visit

**thead11** · #1 04-10-2008, 11:58 AM

Well, Jasmine made it through her first vet visit. We still don't really know anything yet. They sent the sample to the lab, and we have to call tomorrow to see if she has any parasites or anything like that. He said that she is too thin, which we knew, and was one of our biggest concerns. So, we have to force feed her a mouse every three days, which I'm nervous about doing. He also cleaned our her nostrils, as there was dirt in them.

So...about the big question: Is she pregnant???

He said most likely not, but if she is, then it is too early to tell. He wasnt able to do an xray on her.

She did really, really well. She never tried to bite or anything, of course for the exception of the rubber spatula that he was using to pry her mouth open.
She never hissed either.

Well, that's all the updates I have on her for now. Hopefully, she'll have no parasites, and will start eating again on her own soon.

**Lucysfriend** · #2 04-10-2008, 12:02 PM

Hopefully she will be on the mend. Keep us posted

BTW~~how in the heck do you forcefeed a mouse??

**venus** · #3 04-10-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucysfriend

BTW~~how in the heck do you forcefeed a mouse??

Its tricky, lol but not hard.

Isnt that almost like powerfeeding. Is that healthy?

**thead11** · #4 04-10-2008, 12:07 PM

He said to use a rubber spatula, and pry her mouth open, then take some feeding tongs and hold the mouse behind its head. Then you put the mouse in the back of her throat, and then push the mous from behind until its going good down her throat. Then you have to "milk" it down, meaning basically make the muscles take it down by rubbing her throat.

**thead11** · #5 04-10-2008, 12:10 PM

Well, she hasnt eating in at least month, and shes really losing weight. You can see her spine, and her ribs if she moves right. And, seeing as she should be eating medium rats, this a couple steps down in food. He said that we should see if shell eat it on her own, and then force feed, if she wont. We have to do this until she starts eating on her own.

**Merlin** · #6 04-10-2008, 12:42 PM

Quote:

So...about the big question: Is she pregnant???
He said most likely not, but if she is, then it is too early to tell. He wasnt able to do an xray on her.

Why not? was the equipment just not avaialble or was there another reason? And what was his explanation for the wide area?

Quote:

He said to use a rubber spatula, and pry her mouth open, then take some feeding tongs and hold the mouse behind its head. Then you put the mouse in the back of her throat, and then push the mous from behind until its going good down her throat. Then you have to "milk" it down, meaning basically make the muscles take it down by rubbing her throat.

I would see if once the mouse is past her throat if she will go ahead and swallow it. If not then do the milking thing.
And watch out for the glottis. That is the breathing hole near the base of the tongue. Make sure that you don't accidently hook this with something as you are pushing.
Putting KY jelly or vegetable oil on the front end of the mouse will make it go down easier. The first time you do it will be a bit awkward. Just be careful and go slowly and don't rush. It will get easier as you go.

**thead11** · #7 04-10-2008, 01:42 PM

Thanks for the advice! I'm not really sure why he couldnt. Maybe something about her being so thin?? Idk. And she doesn't look at big as she did now. She's lost a lot of weight. She weighs about 5 and 3/4 lbs. He said to get the mouse wet before trying, and to drop some water down her throat.

**Merlin** · #8 04-10-2008, 02:07 PM

The wetting will help but the KY will make the mouse slippery and easier to slide down the throat.
This is a procedure I became all too familiar with!

**millerpj** · #9 04-10-2008, 02:11 PM

Good luck, hope she's feeling better soon.

**thead11** · #10 04-10-2008, 02:16 PM

and the ky is safe? but just regualr ky right?

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