Cushion

[Zahrii]

One of my boys has been diagnosed with minor bumblefoot, and the abscess needs to be removed surgically. To ensure a smooth recovery, most if not all surfaces need to be covered so he has constant softness. However, only one layer of anti-pill fleece is not enough. Does anyone have any recommendations for extra layers of squishy/softness inside the fleece? The vet recommended Sherpa and to sew it so the chins can't get to it. I also recently purchased a sewing machine.

 

[Amethyst]

Personally I don't trust using anything other then more fleece inside liners, just in case they decide to chew it. So I'd just make it extra layers thick, how many layers is up to you. I have an old liner I made that is 4 layers of cheap fleece thick, I found it bulky for in the cage, but might work for your needs. I use to cover the metal grating of the storage try under my FN cage if I let them out around the cage.

 

[Zahrii]

Personally I don't trust using anything other then more fleece inside liners, just in case they decide to chew it. So I'd just make it extra layers thick, how many layers is up to you. I have an old liner I made that is 4 layers of cheap fleece thick, I found it bulky for in the cage, but might work for your needs. I use to cover the metal grating of the storage try under my FN cage if I let them out around the cage.

Unfortunately making it thick enough on fleece alone would take a LOT of fleece, especially since everything has to be covered. They aren't fleece chewers, so my only good option is to use Sherpa and/or Poly-Fil quilt batting. I'd make sure it's properly sewed so they can't get to it at all though unless they decide to chew right through the fleece, which I really doubt. Should I hold on the perches until Buttons recovers? I feel like a flat but squishy surface like a fleece-covered ledge may be what he needs post-surgery, especially with the sutures, but I may be wrong.

Do you have any tips/advice for post-surgery care?

 

[Amethyst]

If you feel it's worth the risk then go with the sherpa or quilt batting (I know some people use that as an absorbent layer in liners anyway), you know your chins better then me, my guys don't chew fleece but I'm not sure how they would react to cushioned fleece. Rather then trying to cover all of them I would just remove as many ledges as possible, I'm sure he will likely need to be healing not hopping all over the cage anyway. I'm not sure you could safely cover a perch, the fleece would probably slide, so best to just hold off on them for now. Also I don't have any personal experience, but other people who have had similar surgery said the vet advised keeping them in a single level no ledges, until healed. At most I would restrict him to just the floors and large cage shelf (the ones that come with the cage) if possible with the minimum number of ledges so they can still get around the cage.

 

[Zahrii]

If you feel it's worth the risk then go with the sherpa or quilt batting (I know some people use that as an absorbent layer in liners anyway), you know your chins better then me, my guys don't chew fleece but I'm not sure how they would react to cushioned fleece. Rather then trying to cover all of them I would just remove as many ledges as possible, I'm sure he will likely need to be healing not hopping all over the cage anyway. I'm not sure you could safely cover a perch, the fleece would probably slide, so best to just hold off on them for now. Also I don't have any personal experience, but other people who have had similar surgery said the vet advised keeping them in a single level no ledges, until healed. At most I would restrict him to just the floors and large cage shelf (the ones that come with the cage) if possible with the minimum number of ledges so they can still get around the cage.

I actually never thought about that, so thank you! Would removing all three ledges leading up to the second level and replacing them with a cushy fleece-covered half shelf be better? Would he be able to jump from the half shelf to the second level, or would I need a ramp? The second level ledges don't really lead to anything important, so should I remove most of them as well? I can always lower any higher accessories too. I'd have to give Bandit more playtime to make up for it, but I'm sure he'll be okay. Maybe a lil' cranky at me, but he'll have to deal with it. Buttons' recovery shouldn't last too long since it's only a minor abscess removal, so the cage would return back to normal semi-quickly. Would more toys help them too since there's less enrichment?

 

[DawnStar]

I use double layered fleece. Approximately 2 yards per tier at the recommendation of my vet. What does removing the abscess look like? Poor chins! I wish them well.

 

[Amethyst]

I actually never thought about that, so thank you! Would removing all three ledges leading up to the second level and replacing them with a cushy fleece-covered half shelf be better? Would he be able to jump from the half shelf to the second level, or would I need a ramp? The second level ledges don't really lead to anything important, so should I remove most of them as well? I can always lower any higher accessories too. I'd have to give Bandit more playtime to make up for it, but I'm sure he'll be okay. Maybe a lil' cranky at me, but he'll have to deal with it. Buttons' recovery shouldn't last too long since it's only a minor abscess removal, so the cage would return back to normal semi-quickly. Would more toys help them too since there's less enrichment?

Actually in this case using the ramps may actually be a good idea to replace ledges with temporally, they would be much easier to cover in fleece too. More toys or at least new ones would definitely be a good idea, not only to keep them entertained but also to keep Buttons distracted so he doesn't try to chew on his surgery wound. I also suggest getting some palm leaf shredder, if you don't already have some, my guys really like when I weave some (like a foot or more) into the bars of the cage for them to pull at and chew.

 

[Zahrii]

I use double layered fleece. Approximately 2 yards per tier at the recommendation of my vet. What does removing the abscess look like? Poor chins! I wish them well.

Double layered fleece isn't squishy enough, unfortunately. Luckily it's not major bumblefoot, it's only a small abscess. He got it from past owners. The surgery should go smoothly and he'll probably go home on the same day.