Living with Anteaters

Merry Christmas and stuff

2012-12-22T17:45:00.002-08:00

You shall pay for this tonight!

Playing Christmas music does not make getting stuffed in a bag any more festive!

OMG these ants are dry!

They need some BBQ Sauce!

I'll just have a wee bit more

NOT funny! So NOT funny!

In my defense I had the silly idea she would just turn around and come out but she didn't take to the idea quickly enough and stood up instead.

This it humiliating

I'm getting out of here!

Nov 26th

Climbed down the wall and found Aurora on the cat tower. We stood and play battled a bit then she climbed down a level and I got on her back but she didn't let me ride anywhere. After a bit I went back up the wall. She almost followed then turned and went and sat in the playpen blankets instead. Then all of a suddenly she moved quick, practically running, up the tree and wall and to her bowl. Guess the munchies hit her fast.

Had our treats now playing like crazy in the hut.

Nice hammock

Still not as nice as my Princess hammock though

Nov 28

These big tomatoes are kind of hard to open.

Tamandua song
I can't say I agree with all the lyrics though. I really am mighty and sure not lowly, wanna feel my claws dude? At least he calls us noble. That's true.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUJz3N8irEs

Dec 1st

Mom went shopping yesterday and they got back late. She left a bag of tomatoes on the floor tied shut. I tore it open and tore up a few tomatoes, yummy. I normally avoid the floor but my nose tells me when it will be worth coming down. Maybe she'll remember this time but if I'm lucky she'll forget again. i left a couple uncalwed.

Dec 2nd

Oh score, there are ants in this log!

Aurora was restless and grumpy this morning. She got some yogurt then mom gave her some blue cheese laced with some melatonin to help her relax.

Had fun last night, we played a lot and Aurora found her way to my washer. She kept going bang, bang, bang with the lid. Eventually she got in and stayed a bit but went back to the closet early.

Dec 3rd

10:40AM
Aurora just went outside in broad daylight. There was no huffing and puffing either but she did give a couple little growls as mom followed her around, but just a couple. After she did her rounds outside she went and checked the back bedroom too.

It was spur of the moment so no photos. Aurora was heading along the shelves to my washer but mom didn't have the drawers out and Aurora panicked and fell when she saw mom coming to pull them out and once she was on the ground she just continued on outside. Walked around and came back in.

11:40AM
Aurora was relaxed but when she saw mom taking the food bowl away she suddenly remembered the washer sounds are scary so she paced awhile and settled into the hut instead.

Mom was low on fridge space and left the ants out since they are dried. Someone found them and opened the container and pigged out, it may or may not have been me.

Uh-oh, that someone also poked a hole in the container and lid. I must blame Aurora then, though I was just up for a treat and mom says my lack of interest in some of the ants just now is suspicious. No. no it's not cuz' I pigged out on them earlier, I'm just not in the mood.

Dec 4th

We were playing in the hammock and the hook came loose in back and kinda dropped us. Aurora got scared and went to the shelf. Mom said she couldn't fix it till today cuz she has to move the cage. Aurora came back and we tried playing in it a bit longer but then moved into the hut.

Darn her I went to the shelf wanting to nap with her but she's sleeping in the hut. She should sleep where I want her.

Dec 6th

Aurora came down and was active last night. She had some fun bang, bang, banging my washer lid. Seems to still baffle her most of the time. Later she started up the nightstand but mom woke and thought it was me and when mom sat up Aurora dropped back down and ran off to the closet. Mom got up and gave her fresh food and all was well.

This morning I got up for my treat and Aurora got up too and got some blue cheese.

Oh yeah Aurora also pooped on the cat tree and knocked some pee pads and towels down. I was good and only woke mom up once or twice.

Aurora on the cat tree

She was there a long time so I snuck a photo in the dark, then she left.

Aurora's Holiday shot

Aurora on the prowl

Showing off her long tail

Aurora by the window

Tamandua tail

Pua's

Dec 7th

Aurora had fun banging the list to my washer again but she eventually found her way in and is sleeping with me today.

Snuggle Buddies

Sorry you can't see Pua's face but I had to be quick and sneaky to get a pic under the lid and not disturb Aurora.

Ting, ting... ting of claws against metal as we jostle for position in the washer.

Dec 8th

After I got up mom propped the washer lid open a bit so Aurora wouldn't forget how to get out again. I sent most my time sitting in the drawer waiting for her. After awhile she came out and went back to the closet.

I got my washer to myself now. I had some morning ketchup and Aurora had some yogurt. We had morning munchies.

Hey, I'm trying to eat breakfast here!

Tail anchor.

Dec 10th

Aurora does not approve of my playing with the human. But that human is my mom!

Aurora went in her hut but I chose not to follow and got mom to come play instead. Aurora came and sniffed several times and could not figure out why I did not smell of terror. She even accidentally touched mom with her cheek. Aurora paced the shelves a couple of times but kept coming back to look and sniff at this odd sight. Eventually she gave up and hid/waited in the hut.

We are playing in the closet now. Just us anteaters.

Living the Anteater Life

2012-12-11T21:26:00.000-08:00

I have no legit excuses for being behind this time but that's kind of a good thing.

Nov. 11th
Slumber party in the closet. Played with Aurora now we are having snacks. I got ketchup and she got some yogurt.

Passed out at the slumber party

Pua vs Aurora poop

Aurora's is lighter from the yogurt but it's always been huge. Yogurt helps it be softer and more frequent though

I've added a bit of flax to her soup and her poops as a little less broad and darker now. No new photos though.

Nov. 12th

12:46pm: May have partied a bit to hard. Aurora is not even up yet.

12:30pm: I'm in my washer and Aurora in the closet. She got up for a mid day snack. She just went back to her nest but Grampa sneezed so she complained, then he blew his nose so she complained louder, but all is well now.

Pardon me, I'm trying to bath

We just got our new pee pads. Most of them are really large there was one smaller one that was already made into a hammock(maybe not the real purpose) So mom hung it up to see if we will use it. Just too bad it wasn't one of the huge pads.

It was only peed in once so was not loved but the pads are good. And best price around even once shipping was added, was like $2.33 a pad or something like that.

http://desmoines.ebayclassifieds.com/accessories/cedar-bluffs/reclaimed-washable-whelping-wee-wee-pee-pads/?ad=13954995

Nov. 13th

Wrestle time

Are you going to join us?

Aurora's rump makes a nice pillow.

My most viewed photo on a daily basis on flickr is "big poop". People are weird. I mean I do pause a second to sniff raccoon and skunk poop but I don't go searching for it. ~ Pua

11:47pm: I get up go to the closet to see Aurora but Aurora's in my washer. I've tried to give her the hint it's time to go to the closet but she wont get up *huff*

Nov. 14th

4:08am
It was getting late and Aurora had still not left my washer. I started crying about it a lot. Mom came and peeked at Aurora. Aurora peeked out but then saw human and ducked back in.

Mom propped the lid open with a sock turned the lights off and left. After about 10 minutes of seeing me come and go with no human interference Aurora finally came out. I was so thrilled I was climbing on her. I thought something was wrong with her but the poor dear had simply forgotten how to get out.

She was very hungry and went right to the closet for her yogurt and food. 4AM That's a very late breakfast for her.

Is it worth getting up yet

Ketchup in your cup

So relaxing

Nap time

Aurora relaxing

She's peeping at us again

11:55pm: Woke alone, left my washer and found Aurora in the closet and am napping with her. Now that is how my evening is supposed to go. It's nice having a snuggle buddy to sleep but I don't like it interrupting my routine.

Nov. 15th

12:01am: Playtime!

Nov. 16th

10:48am: Went to join Aurora in the closet and she left to pace the shelves. Might have had something to do with me stealing her spot, maybe?

All stretched out

Mom gave her a special blanket after I stole her spot. I wanted the special blanket too.

Since we don't have much to report today I'll tell you about mom's dream. She dreamed that Ori escaped "camp" and made her way all the way back home. It's like a billion miles. Mom Found Ori when walking the dog and brought her back to the house. Homeward Bound the anteater edition. Best part is Ori was still fat.

Here we were talking about people looking at our anteater poop photos and Hyzzie goes and eats some(mom found a couple pieces she had stashed for later).

Dear Hyzzie I know you admire us but eating our poop will not help you to be more queenly.

Nov. 17th

Up at 5pm? Well, it sure felt like midnight. Bit of ketchup and back to bed.

I see you creeping around down there

Belly shot

Nov. 18th

Hyzzie had a barky play session so Aurora and I are both up. I had my ketchup and Aurora her yogurt.

Nov. 20th

Power went out last night. Since it wasn't super cold we stayed in our room but we enjoyed the pitch black quiet and had a party running around making noise all night. Aurora even went down onto the floor so I followed her and found a tomato mom was hiding from me. Blackout parties are fun.

It's our second in just a week or so. First was because a goose flew into the lines. Mom says 2 so soon may not bode well for winter. I don't know what that means since it's fun. I guess it doesn't bode well for the geese.

I'm sleeping in the closet but I got it to myself. Aurora decided to sleep in her hut. First time since her illness when mom had to pull her out for medicating. Glad she feels safe in there again.

1:20pm: Aurora is snoring.

11:47pm: Was playing with Aurora and she got yogurt on me.

Nov: 21st

Fresh wet rotten chunk of log, YAY!

Nov. 22nd

Happy Thanksgiving. I'm spending the day in the closet with Aurora.

So walking around barefoot it felt like I had a splinter in my foot. I give pulling it out a trying in the dark and come away with a tamandua hair. Ah relief. Weird though, no they are not silky soft but they sure don't have porky quills either. ~ Pua's Madre

Nov. 25th

Playtime in the hut with Aurora

She started loosing fur again after her illness. I did some research and some studies showed biotin and melatonin help resolve skin and coat issues in the majority of cases where no reason was found. She gets 7mg of biotin and 5mg of melatonin per night. It's working. It's taken awhile to see the results though. Started her not long after her illness was resolved.

Nov 6th

Nov 24th

Dec. 9th

She has also been more active and mentally bright, like coming down to explore and sometimes finding her way into Pua's washer, even if she does still forget how to get out.

Time for Walks

2012-11-10T14:02:00.001-08:00

Nov 4th

Sharing my washer with Aurora today. She's hogging the covers, got part of the blanket pulled over her, but that's what I like to do.

Pua & Aurora sleeping in the washer

11PM
I'm up, cuz I think it's midnight. The clock is just wrong. Nature don't do clocks.

11:30PM
In the washer trying to make Aurora wake up and play with me.

Nov 5th

Seriously? It's the middle of the day!

I was accosted and taken out to the woods to have fun against my will. To protest I went to the closet nest to sleep with Aurora after we got back.

Zoom

Checking out the woods

Finding obstacles to climb

She's nakid

She get her foot in the belt part so had to take it off but it was not too cold

More climbing

Lets see if you can keep up

Mushrooms

Was pretty but Pua waits for no one so I only got this one try at a photo

Digging in a hallow tree

Heading back

A slug

So sleepy

She was sniffing her bag deciding if she wanted in

Take me home

Are we there yet?

Good waking Aurora

Checking out fresh wood

Where is my yogurt?

Walking the shelves

Aurora belly

I think she is slowly getting some fur back but I can use this to compare in a few weeks. She's on biotin to help grow it.

No flash please

Posing nicely

Time to relax

Surveying her kingdom

Nov 8th

Aurora had a morning treat of yogurt and then tried to screw up enough courage to go for a walk in the yard but she couldn't get enough to even get out of the room. There were noises in the kitchen. She is happy with a new fresh comforter in her nest though.

Nov 9th

Hyzzie got to go out today

Sniffing

Shaking

Rolling in the grass

Hyzzie in the leaves

Giant maple leaf

Like a Lady

1AM
Playing with Aurora in the hut

Pua and Aurora, enjoying life

2012-11-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

Oct 18th

Pua and Aurora

I think they had been playing but Aurora must have heard me sneaking around so is eying me with suspicion. Pua just doesn't like the flash.

Oct 19th
11PM
Aurora's up so I gave her some yogurt. If I put her food bowl out now it will be warm later then she would not be happy.

11:20PM
Sitting in my washer, peeking out, listening to the rain.

Oct 20th

I opened the fridge door last night and found a row of tomatoes waiting for me. What a nice treat.

Since Aurora got her yogurt bowl early last night, apparently it ran out early, the bowl was found tossed half way across the room. The girl does know how to make a point.

Oct 21st

Play time in the closet

Aurora wont play when I am looking so that's the best you get.

Leaving because pictures were taken

Pua wants to keep playing

Aurora heads back realizing she's in the open.

Oct 22nd

One of Aurora's favorite hobbies is climbing up and down that cat tree. She pooped on the cat tree last night. A lovely poop and she is eating great. Tossed her yogurt bowl when it got empty again and mostly drained her big food bowl.

Me I just pester mom and wake her up for treats and pester Aurora for play time. Happy to be sleeping in my washer. I missed it while playing nurse for Aurora.

Oct 25th

1:30AM
Had a great play season with Aurora. We were playing queen of the mini platform. I wrestled her for it from the hammock, then squeezed on with her and battled, then plopped down into the safety hammock and battled her from there, there was lots of hand poking. Then I moved to the hut roof and battled her from there. She won and I moved to the window shelf and she followed and played a bit more. Then she said she was done with a hiss and started to curl up but mom put out her food so she went and is eating. She already had some of her yogurt prior to play. Mom forced her self not to take a photo cuz' Aurora hates her photo taken and she would have stopped playing.

Aurora was up this morning and complained till mom gave her some yogurt then complained till she got some cold food. She then complained again till mom changed the blanket though she complained for a bit just to complain it wasn't her favorite blanket. Aurora's getting good at telling mom what to do.

Oct 27th

Well mom was low on yogurt and tried making Aurora's food without and still giving her a cup of yogurt on the side. She at all the yogurt and tossed the bowl and wouldn't eat the food. Mom tried top dressing it with yogurt. She ate some of the yogurt off the top somehow but not the food. So mom mixed the yogurt that was left with food and she ate that this morning. Picky, picky girl. New batch of yogurt brewing and mom will mix her soup with yogurt but she wanted to try cutting back on it some so she may get less on the side for her evening treat.

"I shall spit at you"

Well, they can't really but kind of looks like she is about to. She was sniffing the air and hissing complaints at me.

3PM
Aurora is up having a mid day snack of her yogurtized food.

Oct 28th

Pua plays with her wood

Pua stops to pose

Then listens to the sounds coming from my headset

Aurora was feeling brave last night and came down to explore. I think she was following my scent trail around as she started up the end table and peeked over and saw mom there and looked at her for a bit then backed down and went on her way.

I sometimes wonder if Aurora is steam powered. She makes puffy hisses the whole time she explores. Maybe it's a warning signal, "make way, I'm coming through"

Oct 29th

Look what I found this morning! She later tried to come in my washer with me too but couldn't figure out how to open it(she keeps standing on the lid while lifting) so she went to the hammock but wasn't impressed and returned to the closet. Mom said I should have opened it for her but she'll never learn that way. Besides I was busy playing with my toy.

Nov 1st

Aurora chillin' on the shelf

Aurora napping on her hut

Pua in a drawer

Mom and me played and cuddled in there for awhile too

Aurora coming down the cat tree

Aurora going up her tree

Oh yeah the nice curtain is covered because while it looks nice you can see through it from outside at night.

Pua spying

I spy a spy

I later moved to my hammock after my treat and mom went to clean out my washer. There was a surprise in there for her.

Aurora in the washer

Gave mom a shock when she opened the lid planning to clean it and saw someone, ha.

It's possible i had the lid open and slipped in or maybe she figured it out. I'm not telling.

It was nice having a guest till I realized she wasn't going home so i moved to my hammock.

Aurora will return to a scrubbed and fresh paint touched up closet nest tonight. Let's see if she notices...

11:53 PM
I am laying on the tower, looking at my washer, waiting for Aurora to wake up.

Nov 2nd

12:08 AM
Went in my washer and said good waking but Aurora said no waking yet. So I left to the closet on my own. Now what am I to do on my own?

I was worried Aurora forgot how to get out so I kept going in and out to show her. Eventually she woke up and we played inside the washer.

Aurora finally left my washer around 2 am she then went up over the bookshelves to the night stand. Mom lay still and Aurora took a deep breath and continued past mom on the headboard. She slipped off part way on the other pillow and kept going.

She was doing great till she got to the top of the cage and managed to get her claw stuck and mom had to come free her. That was scary but after a couple laps around the shelves to calm down she went and ate. We are both sleeping in the closet nest today.

Sharing soup

We have Aurora on biotin to see if we an get some hair growing back

Excuse me?

Pua is annoyed at the disturbance to their slumber party

Little yawn

In the clean & painted closet

Touched it up some while Aurora slept in the washer, seems I missed a spot

Aurora's turn to complain

Pua went back to sleep but Aurora looked as I cleaned up the meal area.

Nov 3rd

Mom's alarm went off this morning, a rare event, it sent Aurora into a brief panic then she sat and chewed mom out over it. Later she said as long as you're up get me some cold food.

I am back in my washer today and Aurora is in the closet nest. Life has returned to normal.

So when mom went to clean up the feeding area Aurora looked up and was like, "oh you bringing me food!" So mom got her a little yogurt treat and she was happy.

Closet nest

Aurora made a very nice nest out of the comforter today

"Why must you spy on me?"

Because you're so pretty!

Catch up time

2012-10-28T21:15:00.002-07:00

Unfortunately we do have some further sadness. Ori got pregnant while at summer amp but has had a miscarriage. She has been allowed to stay awhile longer to try again after recovery. Then will come home where granny Aurora can help.

A couple days later Jupiter died.

He was a sweet bunny who would groom anyone and Hyzzie thought he was her puppy.

Jupiter's grave site

He was about 8.5 years old.

So back in time we go to try and get caught up again. Back before Aurora's illness. She is doing great by the way.

Sept 11

Pua and Aurora

Aurora is not happy that the teddy comforter is in the wash, the noise and the blanket on the hut is NOT the right blanket. How dare the human upset her world but the washer stopped so she quit running around panicked and moping and is eating now.

Aurora pacing the shelves

Because the washer was running when she woke up

Belly rub time?

Coming down

Coming out

Onto the fridge

Sept 14

Our ants finally arrived! Mom was foolishly excited about the cute packages(they are sold as "herbal" tea.
Top ants is lifting weight and down below are ants pulling wagons.

They are sold as "herbal" tea. Grampa was not impressed the time he put them in the machine instead of coffee.

Pua with hiccups, and then...

... A dog started barking!!!

I think she was gassy, which you can partly blame the belly size on.

Sept 15

Get my good side

She was hiding her cheese face from me

Cheese face

Aurora relaxing after cheese

Aurora on her hut

Sept 16

Hyzzie thinks it's bath time

I had the door open while running water in the tub

You got me a puppy!(not)

I think her name is Bella. Neighbor's dog likes to visit our yard but this time they were not home so she got to visit awhile till someone came back.

Bella and Hyzzie

Hyzzie saying Hi

Sept 17

Words you probably don't want to hear in the middle of the night: "Did you poop on the bunny?"

Lucky for Jupiter it was a false alarm. Mom heard it fall and then the bunny shake. It half landed on his litter box, so half a point I guess. The bunny must be worth at least 50 points though?

Sept 18th

Spilled my vinegar so I can have a little bath

oops the false alarm wasn't. I did poop on the bunny, just a little. Mom tok care of it with spray on soap. Yay, I win in poop bomb game!

Sept 19th

I am a meerkat

Aurora stood like that a long time. I don't know what she was thinking.

Pua pouting

She left Aurora playing in the hut and came here to pout. Maybe Aurora was playing too rough

Mom was feeling a bit stressed so I took her for a walk at the fish hatchery to relax. It was going great till a dragon tried to kill me. Mom called him motorcycle but he sounded pissed so I didn't care what his name was. Mom had to shove me in my carry crate till I calmed down as I was terrified. but I was fine after a little while and finished my walk.

But then I was in a mood and tore a hole in the door vinyl then a couple more and made the one bigger. Mom says I'll probably have to ride in a solid crate on the ride home from now on and she doesn't seem so relaxed either.

Mom took a some video and just this one photo of my looking up a tree trunk

Sept 20

Aurora's been sleeping in the hut again but I found her. We are playing like crazy people.

Sept 21

Other than Aurora pooping last night it was fairly uneventful.

Sept 23

Going for a walk

Pua in the park

Pua in the hallow tree

Passed out in the car

Heading home

Aurora's Mystery illness

2012-10-18T16:56:00.000-07:00

Otherwise known as nearly 4 weeks of hell.

Sept 25th: Aurora has pneumonia. No I have no idea why. Pua is fine. I'm starting to think Aurora may actually be an old lady. We had some chilly nights but don't think my room got below 65 which should have been safe. Obviously the heat is being cranked up. She stopped eating so took her to the vet today. She appears to have pneumonia. She was mouth breathing, high temp, x-rays showed some fluid and inflammation in her lungs. We started her on baytril. Blood work to come back tomorrow. I gave my vet a copy of the blood averages from ISIS from 2002. She has been of her food for about a week at this point and only taking some blue cheese water now and then before stopping that as well.

Aurora at the vet

Aurora at the vet after being examined. Trying to find a place to nap.

Sept 26th: I was sleeping draped over Aurora to keep her warm then mom came with some blue cheese and I was happily eating when Aurora started complaining that mom stabbed her in the butt. We all settled back in again quickly though.

(mom's note I decided not to keep them apart since Pua has been sleeping with Aurora a lot she probably would have got it by now if she were going to.)

Pua has been wrapped around Aurora keeping her warm, though here she stretched out some after falling asleep.

I don't think Pua is at any risk but I'll give her echinacea for a few days to be sure. It works for me when others have flu in the house

Sept 27th: Aurora got up and paced her shelves and tried resting on her hut then the cat tree but went back to the closet. She did have a tinny sip of blue cheese vitamin water(anteater ensure).

:( bad news. Blood work does not confirm pneumonia. Instead it points to possible autoimmune issues but they are odd and my vet is consulting with another who sees more tams and exotics. She has a low red blood cell count and a lot of immature red cells and a raised count on some really weird sounding thing that can sometime mean parasites or autoimmune. The thing is you normally don't see the two autoimmune issues together.

But auto-immune is very common in them. The real question, if that's the issue, is how she lived to however old she is as it normally kills them young.
--
I'm going to try force feeding her this afternoon (or tonight with help if that doesn't work) to get some nutrients and more fluid in her she has been drinking but probably not enough. She's used to getting her fluids in her soup food and not drinking water. Might be like a cat where if they don't eat for too long their body forgets how to be hungry so might also spark her eating if we are lucky.
--
Well, the anteater burrito did not work so we I will have to have my dad hold her while I force some food in her. There was also blood coming from her mouth(not from anything I did). Her lower lip looks odd and poofy. Maybe she has an infected lip owie but no raised white cells so I don't know.

Sept 28th

Aurora was more interested in blue cheese water last night but kept spilling the cups. I will fill her bowl tonight with blue cheese water/infant formula but if that doesn't work we will have to follow through with the force feeding tomorrow. She drank well last night. She started off kind of bad as she fell off the shelf into the safety hammock but she moved around some and looks decent today. Better coordination and a little more ornery about the butt jab. She left the closet to go sleep behind her hut so no one can jab her again.
--
Pua slept in her washer but spent an hour sitting in it peaking out crying. Nothing made her happy. She wants her friend better.
--
The vet called and we will go pick up a couple shots of steroids tomorrow. Hopefully they will help her feel better. The other shot she had to offer lasts 6 weeks so she didn't want to give that. This stuff is shorter lasting. She was happy to hear Aurora drank about a 1/2 cup of water last night.
--
Sept 29th
Double team syringe feeding this morning did not go well. I only got a few cc's in her. Funny I had to force feed Pua when she first came here and was ill and it was kinda easy and did it myself as a one person job. With Aurora it's like trying to force feed a ninja squid.
--
We got her 4 shots of Dexamethasone to be given once a day a bit before "meal time" so in her case around evening wake up time. It's a powerful appetite stimulating steroid, so I am hopeful. It is also used in pneumonia cases and has been shown to help with faster recovery times.
--
Pua tried to get Aurora to play last night but it didn't work. Pua felt better after some mild play and lots of cuddle time with me.
--
Sept 30th
The steroid shot seemed to get Aurora high(not a usual outcome) but she didn't get the munchies like desired. She ate nothing but did drink water.

Still some blood coming from her nose and or mouth.

Aurora a little stoned

She lay there not moving at all even as I did stuff around her

Mouth breathing and blood

--
Currently sewing an anteater straitjacket so I can force feed Aurora. Cut sleeves off one of my old sweaters and stitching them onto one of Quasi's shirts that Velcros up the back, so can tie her arms down to her body.

The back up plan should it fail is a blanket with head sized hole in it.

Making anteater straitjacket while watching Dexter. Yep I'm officially a little nuts.

Drooling and blood, after second dex shot

Stopped Dex after just those two shots as they did not help, made her high, and gave her large bruises.
--
Oct 1st:
The manual feeding(I like that term better) went so so last night. I think the main problem was the syringe and I made the hole larger today so think that will help.

The straitjacket worked okay but she still had some room to squirm and eventually was able to work her arms out the neck hole but making the neck hole smaller is easy enough. The blanket worked surprisingly well until she got really POed and I let her go.

Only got about 20ml into her though it's 20 she'd not have had otherwise and was watered down nutrical. If I can do more in less time with less fight it could be worth trying again. The problem seemed to be the syringe. Though a lot actually went on the blanket(59ml is a 1/4 cup).

Hoping to get metacam from the vet tomorrow and pick up some "Chicken soup for the cat lovers soul" as seems a lot of sickly tams like it

Blood values

Oct 3rd:
Hope I'm not speaking too soon but it looks like we got the bleeding stopped with the vit K shot. Yesterday morning her water bowl was red with blood but this morning was normal and I manually got a few ccs of food into her and no blood from the mouth, though I did it quick up on the shelf so was way less stressful for her.

Tamandua don't recycle their vit K like normal animals they need lots of K in their diet instead, but they stop eating and they stop getting their K. It's like having an animal that's always on rat poison. I'll try and get some oral K into her daily but I have another shot if needed.

She was more active last night but that's a mixed bag, she felt better with the metacam but hasn't eaten yet so don't want her using energy. Looked like she might have taken a couple tastes of the apple sauce.

So I bought a bunch of juices and apple cider and some fruit baby foods. We will find something she will like. In the mean time now that I can do it with minimal stress, I will keep getting a few ccs of food into her now and then by feeding her in bed.

--
Pua: Mom gave me one giant mango, just one. So I found where she had the rest hidden and dug into them. Just saying I'm important too and worth at least 2 giant mangos.
--
Oct 5th: Still all Aurora will take is apple juice. Think she took about a 1/4 cup last night. Maybe can try adding vitamins and slowly wean her onto food again.

Aurora looking blue gray

Mystery illness. We are stuck lobbing grenades into the dark hoping to hit something. Switched to metacam once the dex was out of her system fully as it has helped other tamandua.

The metacam helped the swollen lip and the K shot stopped the bleeding for about a day and a half then she started bleeding from genitals again and got to where she looked all walking corpse zombie gray all over(more than above).

So waited till the metacam was out of her system and gave Prednisone. The bleeding once again stopped and her color returned to pink, and she got stronger.

Still the only sustenance she will take is a little bit of apple juice. Trying mixing some nourishment with the apple juice tonight.

Pua and Aurora

Aurora's lip

Oct 6th
I put out a cup of apple juice with vitamins and a cup of apple juice with an egg in it. Aurora took a 1/4 cup of the juice and egg mix. I thought that might be the case as the egg has hardly any flavor raw.

Will still syringe feed her at least once today to get her K into her.

Pua with Aurora

I think that's Aurora's rump. Later I heard them moving about and peeked and Pua was laid out flat and Aurora was sitting on her belly. At least she had a nice soft cushion.

Well, we learned at least one thing. Aurora is a tough old bird. Could be a long road though.

Aurora pooped last night. It's been two weeks since her last poop but she normally poops once a week. Normal isn't quite the right word though since normal anteaters poop every other day.

She didn't eat any apple "food" last night but her appetite is often decreased on poop nights and she didn't have much to start with. Will give her the Sucralfate before bed tonight.(this was added with the metacam for tummy soothing).

Getting pretty good at the manual feeding. Quick hit and runs work best. Already got 10cc of food into her today. Anteater soup food thickened with formula.

Oct 7th
Mom gave Aurora a mild sponge bath of her nether regions. She wants to be sure none of the blood is new. Aurora complained but just sat there since it didn't involve syringing food into her mouth.

She didn't take any food willingly

Oct 8th
Gave Aurora some dandelion and milk thistle today as they are supposed to be good for appetite.(she did not touch the apple egg mix, last night)
--
Pua: Grampa made some orange Julius and mom offered her a tinny bit in a cup, seriously not expecting anything and she liked it!

And she was looking for more! Mom gave her some in a bowl.

She didn't take much more but it's her normal sleep time. She has the bowl and the rest set aside for later.

any signs of appetite are thrilling right now
--

Gave Aurora her evening dose of herbs and meds(sucralfate(kind like pepto)). She was pissed. They taste nasty but they seemed like they may have helped so going with it.

If I could do a tasteless pill I would baby but you're not made that way.

Odd tid bit her genital mound is now flat, guessing due to using up fat stores from everywhere.

I'm guessing dehydration and lose of fat. When well hydrated the skin snaps back into place and it is probably flattened from her laying on it. Looked weird seeing that.

Oct 9th
I kept bugging Aurora offering her things after her morning herbs and of course she kept telling me off. Told her I'd keep bugging her till she takes something. She just took some home made runny yogurt.

PS I added some sage tea today. Supposed to be great for appetite and good for lung and other breathing issues, soothes throat and such.
--
yay she just took another 1/4 cup of yogurt. Guess she needs several small meals during the day for now by hand. Better than forcing food down her.
--
Aurora had some more yogurt but she also spilled some of it so got mad and paced the shelves. So I changed her blanket and she got even more mad, she hates change, and went to mope on the clothes rod. I guess that's kind of a good sign as it's normal behavior.

Today she has taken more "food" (in the form or yogurt) than she has in weeks.

PS, she is NOT nice and plump like the photos looks. She is quite thin though not scrawny in person now. I think it's just an illusion of the rib cage and her saggy belly skin. She's looking much better though, good color and such.

You can see some of her monster bruise here.

Aurora's monster bruise

You can kind of see how this used to be much bigger, the darker pink parts were part of it. It covered that whole area and her thigh and down her tail and even her genitals were black at one point.

Pretty scary to look at but it was from a slow leek from her dex injection sight and once the bleeding was stopped it started to heal fast, as it was just pooled blood and not a real bruise from damage.

She sure looked like a walking corpse for a couple days there with the mega bruise and zombie color skin. Managed to pull her through though. She is finally showing some signs of real improvement. Ate a good amount of yogurt today.

Offered Aurora some more yogurt. She's still moping/napping on the clothes rod. She sniffs and looks at me, "Aren't you leaving"

Sorry there's no where to set it.

"Well, this simply wont work"

Hmm, well what if I don't look at you *closes eyes and turns head*

"Okay that'll do" And she drinks just shy of another 1/4 cup

:)

Will have to add clear fiber tomorrow and try to find some either tasteless or fruity vitamins to start with. Maybe after that adding a few drops of real food soup to it per day will work or up it a couple drops every other day.

Aurora in the play pen

Well kind of half in.

She came down the cat tree and went under the play pen then came up between the play pen and the trunk, where there are blankets and plush toys kept for all.

I think this may have been a bit more looking for a place safe from the mean nurse who gave her, her evening herbs than for fun but she seemed pretty relaxed.

Oh yeah when she came up she was under the blankets so had to burrow her way through them. Enough exercise for one night. She is resting on the hut roof now.

What's behind the curtain?

Oct 10th
Aurora took a 1/4 of the yogurt left out last night but surprisingly she also took almost a 1/4 of orange flavored real food soup too. Thanks to the appetite stimulating effects of sage, dandelion and milk thistle. Will keep her on them for a week and till we get her taking more real food then see if she still eats if we wean her down off them.

Pua: I was sleeping with Aurora but then mom came and gave her morning herbs and there was lots of growling and squirming. I tried telling mom Aurora didn't want it but she didn't listen. I was worried mom was going to be force feeding her all day again so I went back to my quiet washer. Mom said she wouldn't but I don't trust her. She's been weird lately.

Pua: Okay I got back up and returned to the closet but I don't want to see any force feeding going on.

Pua: Mom offered some more yogurt but I wanted it and started eating. Aurora looked annoyed so mom sat the cup down and backed off and she started eating too. There might have been a bit of a disagreement over who's yogurt it was and it got spilled. Aurora said a few choice words and moved to the back of the shelf. Aw, come on, she can't hog all the treats for herself. Maybe mom will have to use a bowl next time.

Pua: I let her have it at the next feeding as I wanted to keep sleeping.

Oct 11th
Pua: Nearly a half cup of Aurora soup food was gone this morning and the whole cup of yogurt. I have no interest in her soup food but I'm not telling about the yogurt. I didn't show any interest in it before bed though, I had plenty during the day. I am currently sleeping on top of her. Herb time should bring lots of complaints.

Pua: Herb giving went pretty smoothly actually. Mom says I have a calming effect on Aurora. PS. Aurora pooped a small poop last night, that's just 4 days since the last time.

Pua: Some one was whimpering/squeaking in the closet. So mom came to investigate. We were both sleeping. I might have had a bad dream or something. Aurora was like, um no food? A new batch of yogurt is in the works so mom mixed some real food with the little bit of yogurt left in the bowl and Aurora is happily eating it. I will just keep sleeping.

Came back from dinner and Aurora was sniffing around her bowl so put some more food/yogurt mix in for her and she's happily eating. :)

Pua:
Mom came up and was grabbing at Aurora. Well, I knew what she wanted... She wanted to play! So I grabbed her hand and said Aurora doesn't want to play but I will.

Aurora watched us play in confusion for a bit. Then she decided she'd try and sneak off while I had mom distracted but mom got the herbs in her quick then and she went to lay on the blue shelf.

Aurora thinks she doesn't need those icky things any more since she is eating but mom says they gave her, her appetite so she needs to stay on them for awhile still.

Aurora hardly even protested other than pushing mom's hands away. Now that the syringing has been worked out mom quit wearing gloves so it's less scary for Aurora. She's just annoyed by the nasty tasting herbs and human interference.

---

Oct 12th
Aurora and Pua sleeping

Aurora ate nearly 2 whole cups of food last night so I let her sleep all day with no herbs or meals as that is normal as long as she eats enough at night but I will still give her appetite herbs late tonight.

Pua: I went back and forth a lot this morning but have settled in my washer for the day.

Pua: So part way through the day I moved to my hammock and mom has hosed my washer out. Aurora is still sleeping. I bet she'll feel better having a solid days sleep.

Aurora was very argumentative about her herbs tonight. Guess she thought they were done since morning ones were skipped.

Oct 13th
Aurora ate a bit over a whole cup of food last night and a little of the yogurt too. I'm sleeping with her today. The washer needs some time to get it's homey smell back.

Oct 14th
Aurora ate 1 whole cup of food and 3/4 cups of yogurt. So that's nearly 2 cups of food in some form which is good. So I wont need to add the morning herbs and day feedings back. Can try weaning back on her evening herbs in a day or two. Maybe take the milk thistle out first as it tastes worst.

She pooped last night too(3 days since last). Hoping that's due to the yogurt. It wont hurt to keep some in her diet to keep her pooping more often.

Pua and Aurora napping

Pua hugging on my knee

Pua: Oh mom found an inchworm hanging from a tree, guess it was getting ready to make a cocoon. It was yummy but would have liked more.

Pua: Herb giving went fairly smooth since I was there to keep Aurora calm.

Oct 15th
Aurora ate a cup and a half of food and about a half up of yogurt. So still about 2 cups of food. I'm sleeping with her again today.

Pua: Aurora did not want her herbs so I helped by trying to block mom's way. Mom kept trying and Aurora kept refusing so I threw myself over her body to protect her.

Mom decided to not stress us and see if Aurora will eat tonight without the herbs though she will be a bit stressed herself as she'd rather wean them down but they are not super serious herbs where that's necessary. She'd just feel better doing it.

Also mom saw an obvious scar now under her jaw a bit past her "lip" area. So maybe this WAS all caused by a mouth wound and everyone missed the obvious. The vet did say it's possible the lungs were incidental as sometimes in old domestics they just have funky looking lungs sometimes and nothing really wrong. Or maybe as someone else theorized she did have pneumonia but from inhaling saliva and blood. We would only know with another x-ray to see if her lungs are now clear but that would be a lot of stress for no benefit.
---
Never saw a wound and don't think I missed it, just the swollen lip/jaw. So Spider bite? Maybe black widow, we have those, or something else seemingly not bad but anteaters react to it, hmm. Could be Pua accidentally clawed her but don't think so, think that would have been more obvious. Think spider bite is the most likely, venom could do all kinds of things to a delicate anteater's system. It's just a round scar, smaller than a dime bit bigger than a pee(though flat). It's white with a darker center. Oh, maybe a wolf spider bite. We have hobo spiders but would expect the wound to have been worse

Pua: Aurora ate and now she's playing with me! YAY!

Oct 16th
Aurora ate a cup and a half of food and a half cup of yogurt so all is well and I am sleeping in my washer.

Pua and Aurora

We found a great K supplement just to be used in times of stress, illness or not eating. We normally get enough K naturally from our food. Only need 1/8tsp(17.85mg of K) for a 15 pound tamandua. If the situation is not dire you could give half(1/16tsp). Figured out based on the dose we gave Aurora and double checked with the vet to make sue no mistakes. Oh and it's apple flavored. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043BMPG4
Good to talk to a vet first or at least know the proper dose and be decent at math. This was originally made for horses and relabeled here for dogs but same stuff, apple flavor and all and just says 1/4tsp as dose per dog. That might OD a chihuahua but not be enough for a Saint Bernard. We gave Aurora a middle of the road dose of IM K shot 2.5mg/KG Aurora being 6.8KG that's 17mg of K so the 17.85 is still well within the dose ranges used that are safe.

So that's nice and long and confusing and a bit disjointed but so was the ride Aurora took us on.
--
Oct 18th
Aurora has been eating well each night and playing some. Last night after playing with Pua she sat and moped on the shelf till I finally got the hint and went and changed the blanket then soon as I left the closet she went and settled in. Maybe she heard me when I said I needed her out of there in order to change it. She also was complaining this morning till I gave her some fresh cold soup. She ate nearly the whole cup of yogurt and over a cup of soup food.

This we learned
Dexamethasone: Apparently not good for tamandua
Metacam: great anti-inflammatory for tamandua, said to be great for pain. Didn't seem to help Aurora eat.
Prednisone: seemed to really help in that it made her look better and stopped the vaginal bleeding but still didn't seem to help appetite, maybe even hurt it a little.
Sage tea: Awesome appetite stimulant
Dandelion and milk thistle: also good stimulants.
Aurora is a tough old bird, emphasizing the old and tough
An ill tamandua is always going to be a wild and scary ride
Watch out for spiders!

Active Anteaters

2012-09-19T13:12:00.002-07:00

Aug 26th

Lots of happy play with Aurora in the hut.

Aurora relaxing

Baby snake on the drive way

He was smaller than a pencil. Kind of flighty. If I got to close with the camera he'd flail around trying to flee but not get hardly anywhere like the driveway was slipper. Maybe a newborn and didn't know how to move well yet.

Pua and Aurora on the cat tree

Sept 2nd
Washer still broken. Mom had to go to the laundry mat. Some people mentioned the place smelling like marijuana and they opened the doors to air it out. Um, that's my pee, lol. This odd comparison has been made before when Stewie peed in his crate on set. Mom said nothing though, the sign says no pet blankets but I'm a queen not a pet, right..

Sept 3rd
Slept in the closet with Aurora yesterday so mom scrubbed out my washer. I'm sleeping with Aurora again today. She's lots of fun now that she plays with me more.

I'll just lay here and watch you sleep

Resting her head

Checking out the cubby hole

Checking down below

Going back up

Heading for the sink

Aurora and Pua playing in the playpen

They started up above, came down the cat tree, wrestled awhile in the pen then went back up and played in the hut again.

Yea buggy wood

Sleeping in the closet nest

Jupiter in his nest of tiny corn plants

I also checked it myself for earwigs ~ Pua

Sept 4th
Got up tonight, had a snack, clawed at the wood, then went in my washer. I missed you, washer.

Sept 6th

Mom put a nice fluffy blanket in the closet nest and it was too inviting so I'm sleeping there but Aurora doesn't like change so she is sleeping behind the hut.

Sept 7th
Our worm poop has arrived. I tried some but first time it all fell out of the cup when I tipped it. Second time I ate some before realizing there were no bugs in it and went back to bed. Some has been mixed with my food already. Good for anteater probiotics and trace minerals.

Sept 9th

I slept on the shelf last night and showed Aurora how to snuggle down inside the blanket. She and mom weren't quite sure how to get her out but the opening was found eventually and she got her treat then curled up back inside.

I was sleeping in the washer but then when I got up for my snack I went to the closet to keep Aurora company. She needs a snuggle buddy but I don't want my washer to get lonely either.

I was worried mom might be bored so I pulled the drain plug for the washer out last night. Mom did laundry tonight and it started spraying the wall. Should have been plenty exciting but I heard a "Oh Poop" and "You brat" I'm guessing the dog pooped on the floor.

Pua and Aurora Walks

2012-09-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

Aug 18th
It rained last night so I had a nice long hike and explore through the woods today. I would have done the second trail too but someone pulled up with a dog mom said was eying me so we didn't take the chance and went back the way we came. Mom was complaining about it being muggy. Silly human, humidity is good for you.

Out in the woods

Checking out a log

I heard something

Going 'round a tree

Sitting on a log

I can see the whole forest

Exploring

In a log

Digging

Tired now

Nap time

Wake me at midnight, okay

Aug 19th
The new washer is broken. I tried to warn them that thing is no good. Now they got to call the repair man Monday. It's been turning it's self on and wont do anything but agitate. Not so funny in the middle of the night.(Ps no I don't use that one I got my old one. I never liked that one so don't go in it but it's unplugged now. Modern tech isn't all it's cracked up to be. My simple old washer is very nice.)

So I left the fridge door open and mom got up to close it in the middle of the night. She walked by the cat tree on the way and Aurora panicked and made a ruckus trying to bolt. That's okay Aurora I think you made mom jump half out of her skin too.

I like to rip open the mango seed and claw up and eat the softer inside. Don't worry they are safe. If you have a bunch of seeds laying around you can make mango seed flour.(unlike avocado seeds. Mom takes those away)

We got a fan letter awhile back while we were dealing with Quasi being ill. Mom went to find it now to answer but she can't find it. This is especially bad since it was from a 12yr old. If you're out there maybe you could resend it, or email. thanks.

Aug 21st
Poor Aurora doesn't understand clawing at the treat cup wont produce more ants, like a log will. Mom did take pity and give her a refill once. At least it gives her something to do. --- Oh good she's moved on to her food bowl now.

Aurora and I were playing in the hut and I guess we must have rolled too far and BOoM! We were on the blankets by the cage. We looked around then headed back up the cat tree and wall. We're now back in the hut playing wildly.

Aurora got brave and came down and went to the door then came back but then an hour or so later she got real brave and left the room and explored the yard.

Pua sprawled out

Aurora on the cat tree

Aurora

You want your pants out the basket? HaHaHa

Sisters forever

Our fish

Aurora up and about

Aurora heading for the door

Aurora turning around

She chickened out at the door and went back

Making faces at me

Aurora coming down from the play pen

By the green house

By the garden

Looking good

Aurora behind the house

with some nervous eye leakage

Aurora exploring

at the stump

Digging

Aurora looking good

Checking out a log

If you didn't already know this was Aurora you'd not be sure, right?

Aug 24th

12AM : Playin' like crazy with Aurora in the hammock, on the cage, now headin' for the closet.

Some more Pua and Aurora

2012-09-10T13:37:00.000-07:00

July 22nd
Woke mom up this morning and she got up to get me a treat so I peed on the bed. That's for leaving me alone. Mom started muttering something about hormones again.

Aurora

Dreaming of a full bowl

I love this

soft fluffy towel

Bath in the sink

Someone left their clothes in our wood pile

Kind of amazing he got it all off in basically one piece.

12:03PM : I'm so restless today. Darn insomnia. I tried moving to the hammock but the evil washer is running and so it's noisy and I just moved back to my washer. I've been in and out all day. Hmm I don't drink milk, what can I try, hot BBQ sauce?

July 23rd
Was a bit restless this morning. I sniffed the window begged for treats, went to the closet to beg for treats, didn't get any so went back to the washer, later went back to the closet and got a treat so settled in the closet nest.

July 24th
Played with Aurora last night. Bugged mom till she put a blanket in my washer, how could she forget, was up a couple times this morning but not as restless.

11:38PM : Woke early and went out poking in the yard. I found ants. It made me Hyper. HYPER! Ate a bunch of mom's ants, now taking a vinegar bath. Mom thinks it might calm me down.

Oh I rubbed on a bunch of old logs too. I found something that perplexed me. A tree trunk where none was before. I got some earwigs out of it. Stood and starred at it turning my head. Tried sniffing and standing a few more times. I still didn't get it. Mom said something about grampa using it to cut firewood.

Aurora having cheese

Pua on the house

July 25th
The lights went out early so Aurora and I got up. Then mom came back from bathing and the lights came back on. I'm in the washer and Aurora went back behind her hut but we did score some cheese first.

Wait, who's leading again?

Pua and Aurora playing.
Looky, Aurora's sprouting chest hair!

Backed into a corner

Pua and Aurora playing. Managed to sneak a pic before Aurora noticed me, then they went into the hut to play in private.

July 31st
I went to the back window but there was a cat already in it. I deemed the world too scary tonight and returned to my room. I'll go bug Aurora instead.

Yummy tomato

Wanted a morning snack before bed, even though she'd had a mango already.

Don't disrupt our play

The washer guru knows all

But she's not telling

Aug 4th
Aurora has been snoring like a wombat all day but it's just too noisy right now to try recording her.

Aug 7th
I opened the drawer mom had the mangos and avocados stashed in last night and tasted all the mangos and some of the avocados. I thought they might be better than what she gave me.

Aug 8th
Upset tummy tonight. Drank a ton of vinegar. That'll kill those tummy gremlins.

Aurora on the hut roof

Pua's new vinegar cup

Drinking my vinegar from my new vinegar cup. Grampa said it's a saki cup, um, maybe the saki drinking version of a wino's cup but I think it was a miso soup bowl or maybe just a tea cup sans handle. Well, it's my vinegar cup now.

Sipping her vinegar

Tamandua do not have stomach acid and rely on the acid in the ants and termites so I get my acid from vinegar. It's mixed in my food and I have a cup to drink when I want. I had a tummy ache the other night and chugged a bunch of it then felt better after a nap.

Napping in her hammock

Sleepy girls

Aurora's new fur is so light. Maybe she was jealous of Pua's blond

Pua's like "hey we were sleeping here"

Aug 12
Woke up once and had treats then went to bed woke up again a bit ago and moved to my hammock. It's a bit warm today.

Aug 13th
Aurora is restless. She may be looking for a man.

Aug 17th
There are ants inside and mom says I'm not doing my job. Sorry, but I do not hunt my food. I'm given a cup of non-moving ants or find and raid a whole nest.

Laying in my hammock

Trying to get more comfy

Comfy achieved

No need for a pillow, just hold my head where needed with my nose

Doggy bed: Using it wrong

Napping in a drawer

Now I lay me down to sleep

Aurora's belly fur growing in

She has per period too

Napping on the roof

Some anteater activities

2012-09-09T17:55:00.001-07:00

July 9th
Mom woke up to the sound of Aurora making soft beepy sounds. Maybe she was lonely and calling me, so I move to the closet to sleep. So what does Aurora do? She's sleeping on top of the hut. I just don't get her.

12:50PM : The phone ringing disturbed her so Aurora moved to the blue closet shelf, still not in the nest with me.

1:11PM : I got up and demanded a snack and after that Aurora moved back to sleeping on to hut roof.

Aurora on her hut

Aurora in the closet

Pua sleeping in the closet

Aurora sleeping on the hut

Excuse me I was trying to nap. Only bug me if You have treats.

July 10th
Aurora is sleeping on the hut again. I walked around and begged a lot and tried climbing on mom's head and pulling her hair while she was working. I just finally quit and went in the washer. Mom says I need a man. Nah, I just want to climb on your head and pig out, what's wrong with that?

July 11th
1AM : Playing with Aurora in the hammock!

11:49AM : I enjoyed playing with Aurora last night so much I slept in the closet but Aurora still slept on top of her hut instead. Mom went to give her a treat and got growled at, she must have known mom had her mite treatment in the other hand. Mom will just get her tonight. She's back out of reach and it's not worth the drama. She did eat her treat though.

I be watching you while you sleep

July 12th
Played with Aurora in the hut, hammock and the nest last night and I followed her down onto the cat tree and tried to ride her some. She still chose to sleep on her hut while I am in the closet nest today.

5:16PM : Aurora just sneezed then she hissed, how dare her nose do that to her!

Day dreaming tamandua

July 13th
12AM : Aurora got up, groomed, checked out the log, then went into the hut. After a short rest she came to the closet and demanded cheese. I was all sprawled out but came to share.

12:40AM : Playing with Aurora in the closet. Mom peeked and I was on my back poking her hand. Aurora quits when she sees mom looking though.

2AM : Felt lonely when Aurora decided to eat so spent some time playing with mom in the drawer.

11AM : My persistence paid off. Aurora is sleeping with me in the closet nest.

Aurora pooped on her feeding station last night. I guess she was unimpressed with the soup.

Spread out on a hot day

Fur sprouting on Aurora's belly

Oh and her belly was big from needing to poop. She only poops once a week (average for normal anteaters is every other day). She may have a bit for a hormonal imbalance.

July 14th
Woke and played with Aurora. Had a treat. Was coming down but heard something. I think I'll stick in the closet awhile longer.

I got you're tail

Pua with Aurora's tail. They were playing a lot but Aurora wont play with me watching

July 18th
I slept in the washer so mom took me for a walk. I had fun but turned back early. I then went to the closet to sleep with Aurora instead.

Time for a walk

Checking out a log

In the bushes

Pua enjoying the woods

This red coat should keep bears away

There was a "bear Country" warning at the trail head today.

Pua in red

Checking things out

Under the long moss

Doing her own thing

Time to go home

July 19th
I'm in my washer after having breakfast. Aurora was sleeping on the blue shelf so mom changed the closet nest blanket. This disturbance was not acceptable to Aurora. Then some neighbor weed whacking was just too much and she went to the hut.

Just noticed Aurora pushed the hut forward and is sleeping behind it.

July 20th
playing with Aurora in the hut

Aurora pooped on the cat tower last night. I am in the washer but was up for a snack briefly.

July 21st
So I went to get in my hammock last night and a corner pulled out of the ceiling. I climbed inside anyway. Mom came to the rescue and lifted it back onto the hook with me in it. I rewarded her with hugs and play, mostly hugging her arm and a few pinches.

I moved to my washer this morning, came out for treats, went to the closet to beg for more treats then returned to my washer.

Aurora is behind her hut again.

Catching up and my Birthday

2012-08-26T14:35:00.001-07:00

Wow we're a whole 2 months behind! I don't think that's ever happened before. I'll try and remedy that so for those that read solely on the blog check back often but I'm not promising for sure as the next month or so I need to work very hard as i need to replenish my savings for something special. No more hints I don't want to jinx anything.

I'm very grateful for all the kind words on Quasi's passing even though I didn't reply to each. We have his ashes back and need to find a calm day to take him to the lake and have a picnic too.

Ori is doing well. the plan is to bring her home end of September or maybe early October. I've worked on some diet adjustments so the food will be a bit more low call for all the girls and will implement that soon.

Aurora's fur has grown back well. She was given 3 small dog doses of Reveolution(selamectin) every 2 weeks, to be more clear one does every two weeks for a total of 3. Selamectin is a safer but more effective(for topical) form of ivermectin. You wont see the progress in photos though for awhile since we are so far behind.

I also put Aurora on MSM which controls her tremors(shaky arms) and an herbal supplement. she is now becoming more active and a little less fearful.

June 20th

You must know the password to enter the secret fort

A bit tried for a walk

Can't keep eyes open

So sleepy

Listening for trouble

A rotten log

I'm gonna go check this out

Getting sleepy

Wake me when it's night

I was just too tired to enjoy my walk. I got carried a lot and am back to sleep now.

June 21st

Morning Pua

Morning Aurora

June 22nd

Found Aurora in the hut

June 23rd

12:13 AM - Still sleeping but I plan to get up soon as mom turns off the lights
Yes I did get up once the light was off.
I know that means mom's settling in for the night so it's time to get up and get her busy again.

12:39 AM - Fresh wet log, yay!

June 26th

6AM - Aurora was sitting around complaining so mom put her out some fresh cold soup. I'm drinking it.
(Aurora will only eat cold liquid so mom takes my food and soaks it in vinegar to soften the meat fibers then blends it with water.)

Hey there, Want to come snuggle with us?

Your gross for the evening, Aurora eating her placenta.

Because we did take this photo and share it we were contacted to participate in a survey study on placenta eating habits of wild and rare species.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamanduagirl/5385542280/ (old photo from when she had Ori)

June 27th
I woke up in my washer this morning then went to the closet to sleep but Aurora is sleeping in the hut so I'm alone.

June 30th
Since it was hot today instead of sleeping under her pillow, Aurora wadded it up to barricade the entrance to her hut. When she woke this evening she mashed it down again to lay on for awhile.

Me I had some treats, played with mom, had a vinegar bath, oh and listened to Jake playing and enjoyed the breeze from the window till it was closed.

Pua didn't like the dragon fruit

This is no mango - I am not impressed

How to enjoy a hot muggy night

Drawer wrestling

Aurora chillin' in her hut

I got my eye on you

And July 1st was my birthday!

Pua's birthday goodies

My birthday goodies. ants, blue cheese, BBQ sauce, spray cheese, ketchup, yogurt, sparkling juice, mango and avocado. I got a new jogging outfit and a dressy red coat, The hoody looks like it's made a for a little boy. It must have been a mistake. I'm not little or a boy. That's okay I got lots of good stuff.

July 2nd
Was up, had a treat and breakfast. Couldn't talk myself into more treats so back to bed I go, in my washer.

Pua knows how to tuck herself in

Checking on Aurora

Aurora relaxing

Aurora

The fur she has left on her back looks healthier was still waiting on it growing back everywhere else at this point.

July 4th

Hyzzie was hiding under the bed in terror already so mom put the anteater hut on the floor(Aurora chose to sleep in the closet today) so now Hyzzie is hiding in there instead.

Some big booms and Hyzzie is back under the bed. It's much safer there you know.

July 5th
Aurora has her period and is moody so I slept with Aurora in the closet. Got up for a snack this morning and she paced the shelves till I was done now we're both back in the closet nest.

Someone questioned that on this so here:
I think great apes are the only ones that have full menstruation where the whole lining comes out though others do have blood spotting. It's similar though. We leak blood and mucus just not as much, the rest is absorbed. Aurora has heavier spotting than me. I'm usually fairly light but it varies.

I often will lay around mostly for a day or two. Aurora gets moody and more easily startled.

For sure no tampons. Some tamandua have been put in diapers before but I'm too sophisticated for that. When I have been heavy and running around the house mom just has had a cloth handy to wipe any off before I wipe it onto something. Most times I'm not very heavy like that though, for me it also varies some by the seasons on how heavy but haven't noticed that with Aurora. Aurora tends to keep to her own palace area so there's no real problem with mess but it gets smeared onto the pads and blankets but she pees on those anyway. Oh and sometimes me and Ori when she plays with us, we look like we've been fighting. Hers seems heavier on the blood than mucus as well.

It's probably similar to a dog's spotting who aren't spayed. I also have a shorter cycle than Aurora. Average tamandua cycle is around 40 days. I'm about a month. Mom is uncertain of my fertility since I'm shorter cycle and have had less regular spotting. Though she read a study on a female tamandua who has had many kids and her's weren't all that regular either so I'm probably okay.

One difference though with dogs they have spotting while "in heat" so it's not really like a period(plus the fact it's seasonal and just twice a year). We spot some time before and regularly which is much more period like.

July 6th
I was sleeping in the washer but woke around 10AM and went to the closet to keep Aurora company.

July 7th
Aphids and earwigs. Yummy mid day snack. I think the garden is a success.

Goodbye Quasimoto

2012-08-08T20:21:00.002-07:00

You may have notice we have not posted in an excessively long time. We have been dealing with Quasi having congestive heart failure due to a heart murmur(bad valve). We will be back to normal soon.

Today Quasi went and lay in the bed by the window for awhile, relaxing looking out, saying goodbye to the world. He later returned to my room where he began the dying process and died with me holding him on the way to the vet.

He will be cremated and we will spread his ashes in the lake as one of his happiest days ever was the day he went for a speed boat ride.

Goodbye little man. May your afterlife be as dignified and pampered as you deserve.

His last photos

Quasi loved to sleep in the play pen but that finally was too broken

The temporary play pen

We got a new one shortly after

Quasi without flash

Surprised it came out this good

Quasi with flash

Quasi relaxing

Quasi bugging Hyzzie by eating in front of her once hers is gone

Quasi on the cat tree, looking for goodies

Quasi sitting pretty

Blankets from the drier

Just a little over 2 weeks ago he had his last trip to the park

Quasi sniffing

Hyzzie tricking Quasi into rolling

He only liked to roll in smells

Quasi rubbing on the grass

Checking out the spot

Quasi rubbing on the grass

Quasi done peeing on a tree

Pua is concerned for Quasi

Quasi has a heart condition and he'd just had an episode that made him whimper(fainting spells). Pua came out to show her concern sitting here near him for quite awhile.

Quasi in the new sweater

Quasi and Hyzzie on a good night

Quasi's last photo

Quasi was thought to be 15

Love you boy

Made by a friend

Anteater family snapshots

2012-06-27T00:35:00.000-07:00

Quit bugging me

June 9th
Yummy roses. Then to the closet to see Aurora.

Anteater saliva

Sometimes the vinegar is so good a film of foamy drool gets left on top
When it's fresh it's like runny slug slime as it dries it gets to be kind of like rubber cement, once it is totally dry it is flaky.

Pretending to be an anteater

Quasi loves to make faces for the camera

Hyzzie passed out

Aurora napping on the cat tree

Aurora fur

She has started loosing it now that she's been off the treatment for awhile so she is back on for a fresh round with a stronger dose.

Excuse me, Pua. I was sleeping there.

I also started her on MSM and her tremors stopped(shaking hands/arms) took her off it a couple days and she started having shaking hands again so back on the MSM.

I got a pillow

Ear cleaning time

Aurora: Nooo

Play with me

Aurora in the afternoon

June 10th
10:30 AM
Peeking from my washer. Just not sleeping well today.

11:50AM
Sleeping peacefully now

Jake was laying there all nice and quiet till I got the camera then he went wild.

Kitty yoga. He looks broken.

Jake stretching

I got it, now I will kill it

June 11th
Got up an tried to wake Aurora but she wasn't budging so I peed next to her in the nest and I'm off to try and find something to do.

Yea new log!

LETTER FROM ORI: I got soooo FILTHY DIRTY today, and I got a scratch on my nose, and bloodied my big knuckle and I had sooooooo much FUN! "The Compound" rules. I climbed a tree and sun-bathed cat-napped on a cat-walk. Summer Camp ROCKS. (Camp Counselor is so lame and forgot her Ipad to take photos, as ALWAYS) Love ~~ Ori

June 12th
Mom says bathing Aurora is a little scary because she roars like a dinosaur about to eat Tokyo. Thankfully it's all bluff and she never pinches or takes a wing. Now me I never said a word but I do pinch a little. Mom should know better than to be so rude to me.

June 16th
Aurora didn't want to get up yet so I curled up on top of her.

Played with mom some and now I got a tomato, yea!

June 17th
I have been sleeping with Aurora in the closet today. Mom decided to hose out my washer but it didn't drain. Grampa helped take it apart and found a Halloween pet collar in there and fished it out. So we know what retired it in the first place.

Then aurora decided to run back and forth on the shelf in a panic during the hosing and wound up staying in the hut. She doesn't like water sounds. Hosing out might be just as scary next time but should be a lot easier. (note mom has been cleaning it but she can't get between the drum thingys so the hosing today.

Aurora on the shelf

Aurora in the hut

Real women don't need a man to make them happy

Is someone there?

This morning I started out sleeping in my washer then moved to the closet to be with Aurora.

Pop quiz, who is who?

June 19th
Sleeping with Aurora again. I have been in and out of my washer but I think she needs the company and I maybe do miss the musty smell the washer had before the hosing. Just needs more pee maybe.

Pua walk and Ori updates

2012-06-21T16:46:00.001-07:00

June 1st
Frozen in place listening to the neighbors. Guess I'll just lay here then... Oh my! Barking dog! Too many creepy noises, back in the washer for a bit

Pua is nervous

Going to hide

Aurora is sleeping in her hut today. I tried my hammock for awhile but went back into my washer.

OMG awesome. Reminds me of Stewie. Think I'd make a nice first lady. There's a part 2 behind the scenes as well. The most shocking thing was the bath. I Mean he actually liked it!

Anteater announces Presidential Campaign

Tamandua Noche Cuervo is announcing his Presidential Campaign

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/15fbbf7bcd/anteater-announces-presidential-campaign

June 3rd
Hanging out with Aurora in the hut

I'm just sleeping in my washer now. I had my treats and spent time with Aurora as usual and pooped in the bunny pen last night.
I like to let them drop from up high and the bunny pen is connected to the anteater cage, he uses it as we mostly just use the outside and roof so it's a nice high place to drop them from.

By request, Pua's Tail is 21.25 inches on the underside of her tail, measured from the dimple at the base of her tail. Aurora's tail is 22" long
"Long-tailed Tamandua (Tamandua longicaudata)[...] differs markedly from the others in coloration and in the structure of the nasals, but not in the length of the tail, as the name erroneously implies. It is nearly uniform straw-color," http://tinyurl.com/7zdla3m

Hanging out with Aurora in the hut

My queenly feet should never touch the floor http://youtu.be/v47O32JdU2Y

Chasing Tail LETTER HOME FROM ORI: Summer camp is "interesting." They keep crazy hours, but I stick steady-fast to my late night routine. I got to met a "boy" for a few hours. He is OK, nothing special, so I can't see what all the fuss is about. If anything he is really annoying, always wanting to play and I don't want to, so he goes and plays with Ta'Ma. Ta'Ma is really nice, I like her alot. The boy IS good for cuddling and taking naps with when he finally settles down. I think I am loosing weight -- I think my belly isn't as "round" as it was, but I haven't weighed myself either. These humans have been MAKING me go outside for a little bit, but all I want to do is go back inside and sleep. They also make me climb the ladder to get back inside after they carry me outside. How simply rude! They say it's for my own good, but I don't see how. I have not gotten to meet any new humans since I went to school, but that's fine with me as it was during the daytime and I'm not much of a day-girl. Well, snorts and grunts ~~Ori

June 6th
Played with Aurora awhile last night and was up early begging for treats this morning.

Chasing Tail LETTER HOME FROM ORI:
"I know, I know, two letters in one week. The head camp counselor human is getting sneaky. She thought she caught the boy and I playing one morning, so she started tip-toeing up the stairs to spy on us. Sure enough, she has caught us hand-squeezing and playing chase. My secret is out, but in my defense, he is a very persistent little boy! Ta'Ma is having what they call "conjugal visits" with one of her husbands. He is older than us and more stoic. The boy and I just avoid the old man and go play on the platform way up high in the corner. I must admit, the boy and I have been being naughty and started picking at the wall way up there, nothing "bad" mind you. I couldn't believe the old-lady camp counselor could climb way up here! She is a really sly human. Camp counselor says she is taking me on a field trip this week to go play in what they call "the compound" for an hour. It's a large piece of forest and brush that was going to be for a Siberian Lynx, but never got used. They say it has lots and lots of brush, and logs, and stumps, and trees and "cat-platforms." It is all fenced in with no-climb tree guards so I cannot climb too high up a tree and fall. A human has to stay with me the whole time but I get to go free. The said there is going to be lots of noises and smells out there because there are wolves and siberian Lynx in another part of "the compound." Camp counselor says she will try and remember her Ipad so I can send home a photo of my field trip. I really really like summer-camp. Well, that's all love ~~Ori

Now back to me: Nice day for a run in the woods

2:45PM
I decided to take stroll in the woods instead of my usual run. Got lots of grooming to do now.

2:58PM
Still grooming so mom gave me some vinegar in the sink. Oh yeah vinegar bath, that's the ticket.

3:15
All done grooming and back in the washer

Treat in the washer

I woke her up for something so she got a treat too

Aurora stretch

Pua sniffs hello

Doing the splits

Could you scoot that way a bit

I think we need a wider shelf

Pua settles back in

She looks to be plotting my demise

Pua holding her tail

She is frowning

Time for a walk

Crossing the bridge

Checking out a brook

Nature wants peace

Quick girl

Heading home

Taken without flash

Are we there yet?

Combing her hair

The mess left after walk vinegar bath http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamanduagirl/7347541216/

Pua relaxing

June 7th
Aurora slept in the closet nest. Guess she likes that blanket so now her hut has been all freshened up for tonight.

Pua and Aurora at home

2012-06-16T22:06:00.003-07:00

May 14th
My poop off the cage landed right in the bunny food dish last night. Score another 10 points in the poop bomb game.

May 15th
Aurora pooped by her soup bowl. Maybe she was aiming for it and missed.

Aurora has slept in the hut today.

Ketchup joint supplement concoction is a win. Mango bribe after, okay I forgive you for taking me to the vet.

May 16th

No Aurora in the closet to greet me. Was going to go look for her but got distracted. The ceiling molding makes a nice back scratcher. Oh well, back to my castle. I'm sure I'll find her later.

Aurora is sleeping in the hut again today. Guess she likes to change things up now and then.

May 17th
I'm up for some breakfast. Aurora is sleeping in the closet. All these morning sounds are a bit creepy though.

Took a long run in the woods. Feel that burn humans. I'll get you in shape.

May 18th
Aurora was in the closet when I got there but then left for the hut. Turned out okay. Mom came to play with me in the closet.

Playing with mom in the closet nest

Put the camera down, Play requires both hands

I'm gonna get you

The spots are dried sweat from her walk. They sweat orange.

I got you now I'm gonna poke you

Is anyone else coming?

Aurora grooming

A little more grooming

Peeking at me

Yay cheese

Peeking at her sore

Just showed up there. Maybe a bug bite

Aurora is to busy eating to play with me *crying*

Pua thought she would make Aurora feel better about Ori being gone by acting like her

Pua annoying Aurora

Licking food onto her face

Shoving match

My birthday is July first therefore my Christmas wishlist has been updated ;)
Pua's Birthday & Holiday Wish list - https://www.facebook.com/notes/pua-tamandua/puas-birthday-holiday-wish-list/245814662147004

Aurora climbing

May 24th
Got tired of being by myself when I wake up because Aurora has not slept in the closet, so I gave in and have joined her in the hut.

Aurora in the hut

You can't see me, right?

Is it worth getting up?

Hyzzie on the new dog bed

Oh look we have company

Pua is not amused, Aurora is hoping for blue cheese

Pua: "Aurora likes sleeping under her pink pillow. I join her till morning, with a few breaks for bugging mom about treats. I was laying my head on the pillow waiting till Aurora woke up. You can see I'm giving mom a dirty look. I already played and snuggled with her in the closet earlier. Aurora seemed hopeful blue cheese was coming."

They are getting suspicious

Play time

I lick you, that makes you mine

Lets see if blue cheese makes for a nice hair gel

I slept with Aurora in the hut part of the night when I wasn't eating or bugging mom. I moved back to my washer in the mourning. Aurora should try joining me in the washer.

Forgot to mention silly Aurora is sleeping under her pink pillow in the hut.

Chasing Tail shared a status.May 25: Ori's first day at school :-) Peed right out of the gate (thank goodness it was a hard surface floor) and then pooped for the 1st and 3rd grades group (thank goodness she was in her crate ;-) all in all, Ori was AWESOME and ACTIVE.

May 27th
Mom changed the pillow in the hut so Aurora soaked it. Mom put the cleaned pillow and fresh blanket up for the hut. Aurora is upset by this and is sitting on the clothes rod pouting.

Aurora moping on the rod

I woke mom up at 6am so she could be more productive by giving me treats and playing with me. Aurora slept in the closet shelf since mom ruined her hut.

May 28th
Aurora went to the hut. She saw mom put the teddy comforter back around it so she went in. I followed her and just as went n she left. What's up with that. I started to follow her back but she sounds moody. I paused on the window shelf then crept up to her slowly. Yep kind of moody. I'll clean her ears.

After cleaning Aurora's ears, I pried her head up and sniffed her nose then checked the other areas. I deemed her okay and left her to her moody self. She later took a huge poop. Guess that was the problem. She needs to learn to poop more often.

Silly Aurora tried to squeeze into the hut on the supports under the comforter wrap. It didn't work so she went back to the closet.

May 30th
Aurora paced back and forth between the hut and the closet nest this morning but eventually settled in the nest.

Anteater poop in the bunny pen? Was there a witness, did you DNA test? No? Then I deny being involved.

So I heard rumors of a vet visit and got up. Mom gave me ketchup and left me behind instead. It was the dogs' turn. She saw her favorite DR and she said Quasi is not so bad and we can give reducing his one med a shot. Hyzzie is just getting old but in generally good health for a fatty but mom's working on that. She's tryin' a whip everyone into shape.

May 31st
Jake had an alligator lizard. He was just layin' there watching it. Mom donned gloves(those things bite) and picked him up. He was in tact and she says a cutie with his little bad self showing his jaws at her. She took him over to the abandoned house. Lots of plants and some sunning rocks for him.

Walk, vet and a walk

2012-06-12T00:04:00.000-07:00

May 7th
I mostly ran on my "walk" today

Pua in the woods

No time for this thing today

Scratching

Digging for bugs

Hello tree

Swimming, hmm, you go first, I think it may be cold

Heading for the car

Pua and Aurora

Sharing the princess hammock after play time.

Mom wanted to be nice. She knows Aurora gets scared of the running faucet so she filled my drink cup from another vessel. The water still made some noise and Aurora got scared anyway. Love ya Aurora but you got some serious issues, girl.

Aurora's mother's Day present

She got the black mattress. It's pee proof.

One Pua's walk she went tripod a few times. Maybe it was the gravel path that we were on but she has always run a little funny in back so I took her to the vet for an X-ray. She tends to curl her tail tip more than she used to so wanted to rule out spinal issues(common in the species if diet is wrong)

Vet gave Pua a clean bill of health. No calcium deposits in her spine.

Pua: "Vet says my spine looks lovely. To get a hip xray would mean somehow getting me to lay on my back still for a few seconds, yeah in your wildest dreams. Didn't xray my tail but that would have been easy. Side view took mom, vet and a tech to hold me and it only happened because I took a breather and stopped squirming for a second. So I'll be trying a joint supplement for my hip and no need to cut back on cheese treats or anything drastic."

I watched her in slow motion video running from behind and what she does is her left back leg takes long smooth stride and her right take short quick ones and bounces her way up. The joint supplement does seem to help.

Pua was clawing at the crate on the ride there and shed her claws

Tired girl

Wanting to sleep through her health check

New harness

She wasn't liking it

Aurora on the anteater hut

Impersonating snoopy with anteater style

Classic ball sleeping position

Heading for the princess hammock

May 17th 11Am
I'm up for some breakfast. Aurora is sleeping in the closet. All these morning sounds are a bit creepy though.
Back to bed

Time for a walk

Looking for bugs

In motion

Sniffing

By a big rotten log

Checking out a tree

Oregon grape growing on a tree

Are we home yet?

Hurry open the door

Got to groom out the woods before bed

Comb the head fur too

Ori Updates

2012-05-24T19:12:00.002-07:00

Chasing Tail - May 9 Seriously Ori! We've only been in the car 10 minutes. Guess we should have taken a walk in the park before hitting the road.

She had pigged out that morning before leaving

May 10

The less flattering angle

Ori: "OMG! they wake up at something call O'dark thirty at this Summer Camp"

Chasing Tail Ori napped in the tub-bed yesterday, so I thought she would claim it, but this morning I found her crashed hard asleep up on the high shelf, I presume because it was where she could look out and see the other animals down the line and across the way

Pua Tamandua Maybe felt more at home. She sleeps on the high closet shelf with her mom here.

Ori: "Look everybody! They have 'Easy Cheese' at Summer Camp."

The way to Ori's heart

Chasing Tail Ta'Ma is a sucker for Sharp Cheddar flavor, so they will be in grand company together in a few days. (BTW, I did not know about Easy Cheese until Pua Tamandua mentioned it one day ;-)

OK, a full day one, and Ori is an absolute doll compared to the ever infamous ElDorado (*LOL*)

May 11th
Ori cleaned her bowl last night. Doors have been opened for sniffing to outside and the neighbor girl but not ungated till tomorrow then they can meet.

May 12th
Letter Home, from Ori. Summer Camp is nice :-) I made a new friend today, her name is Ta'Ma, her 8 week old baby girl died a couple weeks ago so the humans here are hoping I can keep her company while she is on R&R. They said she and I will be meeting an "M-A-N" in a few weeks. What's an m-a-n? Well, I really like Ta'Ma, she is snuggly and cleans my ears :-) Only complaint, last night they forgot to give me all of my food. I means, what's with that? At least I got a line of Easy Cheese from this small human named Tessa. They call her a "kid" and said I will be meeting some more like her. I like short humans with Easy Cheese :-)

Some from home

I see you over there

napping

You got some avocado on your nose

Aurora on the cat tree

Art critic: "I don't get it" *Squint*

Hyzzie ears up

Pua is uncertain

Aurora in the hut

No more kisses

Yummy blue cheese

Clean up crew for spilled cheese

Snuggle bunny

I'm just sitting here thinking

You got a problem with that?

No avocado? I'm going back to bed in protest.

Mom spent the last several hours cutting up heart and making anteater food, then cleaning. Grandma was laughing cuz it looked like a cow exploded in there.

I went out and rubbed my chest on the big oak tree then I climbed the lilac bush and rubbed my chest all over. If there's any men around. I think they'll find me.

Been up and down many times today but mom said it was laundry day so she couldn't take me in the woods. She will pay tonight. And what is with the hangers laying all over my dinning room?

Moody girl

She's got her period

Maybe cheese here wasn't the best idea

Sleeping on a raccoon

The blankets kept falling through the crack so I added the raccoon under. They tossed the blanket down anyway.

Did you have a good reason for waking me?

Spring time walk with Pua

2012-05-14T19:03:00.000-07:00

OMG what time is it? Who turned on the lights?

Pua sleeping with her favorite toy.

Time for a walk

The skull on my new coat has hearts for eyes

Slowly picking up steam

Pit stop under the hanging moss

Where the log ends

Tail anchor

Zooooom

Happy tail

Fungi cup

A big rotten stump

Sniffing a tree

Strong furn

She did lots of running today

We all got warmed up after awhile

So her coat came off

Can you scratch your armpit with your toes?

Time to groom the other end

Sitting on a branch

Mossy log

Taking a dip in the creek

Checking for carpenter ants

None, yet.

I like this stump

Tree gremlin

Coming down

Upside down checking for ants

Getting tired

Hurry home, mom, I'm sleepy.

Ori goes off to fat camp

2012-05-09T15:29:00.002-07:00

Fat Ori

As you can see Ori's weight has gone way out of control. So she is being sent off to Fat Camp at Zoological Wildlife Conservation Center, Petting Zoo & Mobile Teaching Zoo.
We told her it's summer camp. She will get to meet a couple new friends. One of which will be a boy so we hope for a summer fling as well.

I personally feel she will have the best chance of loosing the most weight this way due to how my friend keeps her tamandua. There was mention of tree climbing and getting dirty too. Hopefully once it's off it wont be too hard to keep off. I think her momma could also use the break too. Ori does sometimes suckle on her nipples. I thought they stopped that at around 8 months then Ori restarted recently but if there is any milk that could certainly be part of the problem. I can't really tell for sure.

So her last photos at home for awhile

Sleeping in the hut

Hi Ori

I love my mommy

Ori eating Pua food

I cut back on the soup food so once Aurora's bowl is drained Ori comes and helps herself to Pua food.

Hey that's my food

Ori and Pua

Pua going home

She likes not having to get on the floor to travel around the room

Pua getting off of Ori

Love you Ori

Clingy Pua

Instead of trying to take a ride she was rubbing her chest on her like she does to logs and things to scent mark. Maybe she was flirting. Pua is a tomboy.

Don't lave me!

Pua and Ori at the window

You can see the size difference

Window sniffing

I put the foam in every day they pull it out each night to sniff.

I like this new home addition

Checking on Pua

Who woke me up?

Ori on her way to fat camp

She is off to make friends, climb trees and eat less

Getting sleepy

Have a good time Ori

Lots of photos

2012-05-08T15:07:00.002-07:00

You came to give me cheese right?

March 26

Sleepy Ori

Hello, you brought a snack right?

Ori draped over her momma

Hey Ori want an ear cleaning

April 1
Everyone knows I never walk out of the house during the day. It's too scary out there. I woke and went out my door at 9:30 and went to the window to sniff. I declared it nice and gloomy so went out to run around. Ha, April fool mom. That was fun.

Trying to cram two big anteaters into a tiny hammock

Pua: I think your butt's too bug
Ori: No way, I'm sexy

Careful you're gonna tip it!!

Making room for Ori

Ori left but Pua tried to make room by sitting on her tail.

Comfy Ori

Yummy

Cheese Ori

Jake

How tamandua claws shed

Hi Ori

She had been napping there

April 4
Just hung by rear off the cage and all my poops fell in the bunnies litter box. now that's talent.

April 5
Ori checking out a log

Pua snoozing on a log

Hyzzie helping with laundry

Make sure you get my good side

Blue cheese

April 7
Slept in the closet again. Also pooped off the cage but missed the bunny litter box this time. Maybe I should aim for the bunny.

April 08
Sharing the little hammock

Getting sleepy

Dozing off

Sacked out

11PM Ori went out and ran around for a bit but she's now back snuggled with the rest of us.

Ori trying to take a ride

April 12
Ori Yawn

Ori levitates

Ori and a log

Aurora on the hut roof

Jupiter

Yummy cheese

Pua dismounts the hut onto Ori

Old wood time

Pua tamandua in a drawer

I figured out to leave the two drawers open so she can go back and forth on her own but this night she was just sitting there.

Ori and log time

Aurora's Fur issues

2012-05-03T13:00:00.002-07:00

Aurora began loosing hair. We got her to the vet and didn't find any mites or fungus but we tried selectin(Revolution) anyway. 3 doses once every two weeks. Here she is before treatment

03/24/12

You came to give me cheese right? ~ Pua

In discussing it with others we learned known causes of hair loss in tamandua are being seriously over weight or having your baby keep suckling too long. Aurora has always been the long and lean one. I did actually make the mistake of putting some weight on her when it first started thinking supplementing would help but the weight didn't start the issue and she's still not fat, just pleasantly plump. Her feed has been cut back and protein upped. Ori seemed to stop suckling around 8 months though recently seemed like she started again. I was afraid it would be something more dire. Aurora already has issues but the selmectin seems to have done the trick after all.

Blue cheese!

Hey get your own cup

I did put two up there but they went after the same cup.

Yummy

March 26th

She was do for a poop. She does not poop often enough so she's not as plump as this looks. Going to try upping her fiber.

3/29

We had now seen the vet but to soon to see results

April 03

April 08

Even though those look awful her head was looking better

April 12

April 19th

Giving me the eye

April 30

And now May 3rd

Ori loves mommy

Yawn

Goofy Aurora

If she had teeth she'd have an underbite. Her lower jaw is set back farther than normal. It doesn't show so much in most her photos.

Time to sleep

She was up and grooming but then saw me with the camera.

Go away

Do you have blue cheese?

An exciting Pua adventure

2012-04-30T00:37:00.000-07:00

March 23rd

I spy with my little eye

Talked my way into an adventure in the woods.

Crossing the bridge

Digging in a hallow tree

Getting tired

Spring growth

Sitting in a tree hallow

Ready to nap

Coming out of a hallow tree

The hallow tree

See the mossy lump to the right? That's not a rock, it's part of the tree. She was inside there.

Woodland trail

On a log

High water

Tree in the path

Pua and I went under. Pua's Grandma went around.

I think a bear did this

On that fallen tree in the path

Getting a bit tired

Heading into a hallow stump

Translucent worm

Digging in a hallow stump

in hallow stump

As you can see I never let go of her tail. Well, I don't but I did. She popped her front half out and I grabbed her and was hauling her out by her harness. All of a sudden I had a harness with no anteater. I grabbed for her but she was gone down the hallow root in a flash. She's never pulled out of that one before. I reached in for her but she was gone. Wormed my arm in as far as I could and felt her but then she was gone. I was sure she went off down a long tunnel and I'd never find her and would die of grief. I then went all mama bear crazed ninja on the stump. You know when a mom tosses a car off the kid, deal.

I ripped off the side of the stump with my bear hands. I've tried before and even kicking it didn't budge but to save my baby it was nothing. Broke right off. I then could reach in farther and at my max reach could just feel her ear. Hope! I kept trying but could only touch her ear and she finally got annoyed and pulled just out of reach again. Figured maybe I got lucky and she hit a dead end.

I then ripped off the back side of the stump and gave it another shot. I felt her and could feel her shoulder just a bit. I couldn't get hold of anything and it felt like she pulled away around a corner. Back to my first thought but then I turned into a contortionist and went head first into the stump wiggled around and got my arm deep into the hole. Could feel her arm but not quite grab hold then suddenly I had hold of it. Maybe she felt sorry for me and moved closer.

Started slowly hauling her from the hole. It's a slow game of tug of war. Tamandua are strong and it's a matter of being more stubborn than they are. Felt my grip failing but had her out far enough I was able to get her other hand in my other hand and that claw was long enough she couldn't pull it from my grip.

I hauled her out and she was surprisingly POed. She wasn't cooperating with the re-harnessing even with grandma helping by holding her tail and there was no forcing her into her bag. Finally I just knelt on her tail(they can take it) and got her harness on. After running along the trail a bit she was fine again. Back to her old self. I think mostly she had just sensed my upset.

I had her part way out and thought it was far enough. It wasn't. I will never ever let go of that lifeline of a tail again till she is fully clear.

I have always made it a policy to share all the good and bad. One bad snap decision and chaos. Some would say letting her in hallow trees at all is a bad decision. There is certainly no other tamandua I would or have ever trusted to do it. It has always gone smoothly long as I hold that tail. It's just that after a bit she wants to curl up and sleep so need to be able to pull her out as well as just in case of a hole or burrow that is unseen. We all have our risk limits we choose to take or not take. Pua is going on 7 and I haven't lost her yet.

It is a risk though and I think that is the main reason for this disclosure. Sometimes we may make keeping a tamandua seem easier or less risky than it really is. Your dog gets loose you might have to pay a small fine. Your exotic gets loose it could potentially lead to personal, financial and public ruin(major fines/news stories). No risk can be taken lightly.

Ready for a nap

Sitting up

Curled up

So sleepy

All a girl needs is s soft blankie and a place to rest her chin

Sleeping

Waiting for the door to open

Home but tired

Then she went back to sleep in her washer.

Anteater Family Time

2012-04-22T20:47:00.002-07:00

Hyzzie taking advantage of my misplaced coat

March 11th
I decided to sleep with family instead of in my washer today.

Three little anteaters sleeping in a pile

They had a treat then Pua decided to turn in with them for the day.

Now we really got a pile going.

Aurora's got the warm spot again

One more family photo

Aurora was exploring last night and was climbing up on the bed till she noticed mom and backed down and headed for the closet. "Oh no I stumbled into her lair!"

Now me and Ori we tramp right across mom's bed and her, well Ori is a bit more considerate and often goes around mom.

Ori in the play hut

Ori in the princess hammock

Making faces

He always starts making faces when I pic up the camera

Smile

Quasi burrowed in the play pen

I was the first one brave enough to try the new play hammock.

I want a treat for being first

Time for ear cleaning

Come back here Ori

Quality time with mom

Play time

Ori in the hammock

Ori trying to ride her momma

St patty's day photos catch up

2012-04-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

Hello there

Sniffing a log

Licking in a hole

Enjoying her wood

Ori Tamandua tail

Someone is spying again

Did you bring treats?

Yummy wood

Happy St. Patty's Day

Time to eat all the ants in Ireland

Cleaning up stray ants

Ready for a brawl

Kiss me! I'm an anteater!!

Enjoying a cup'a Irish ants

Down to the bottom

Cleaning up the spillage

Enjoying the festivities

Then she came back later

I need more ants!

Yummy ants

Decorating the anteater

Holding her own mug

Looking for Ori

I knew she was in there somewhere

There she is

Shhh I'm hiding from monsters

Ori scared herself falling off the cage. After running back and forth on the shelves in a panic she hid in here.

Aurora looking down on me

Pua in the little hammock

Aurora creeping around

Hey let's play!

Stretching Pua

Aurora is bored of this nonsense

Aurora in the hut

Happy Easter

2012-04-08T18:06:00.000-07:00

One of these eggs has ants inside

Found it

Easter Ants!

Happy Easter