Odontoma questions

[Kalee]

Hey guys!
My sweet boy Elliott has been diagnosed with an odontoma on his upper left incisor. I am in SC and do not have close access to a vet that can perform the surgery. That being said, I am going to do everything in my power to get him to Dr. Emerson. My vet (that I drove an hour to) said he would send her the xrays to get her opinion etc.
That drive will be about 8 hrs for me. And I would drive 18 if it would save my baby. But a trip like that requires a lot of planning. So that brings me here with some questions for all the squirrel parents that have gone through this and I'd appreciate any help.
I'll have to get a hotel or airbnb obviously and plan days off of work. I know there's the surgery as well as post op visits needed. How many days after surgery is a post op done? This way I can ask for the right amount of days and hotel stays.
He does not ride well and the hour drive seemed so traumatic for him. Is there anything I can do to comfort him more since this will be 8 hrs?
And lastly, can anyone give me a ballpark cost so that we can factor that in with hotel costs etc.
Please be is prayer for me and my sweet baby. My heart is absolutely broken that he's having to go through this. I'd give anything to fix it.

Thank you all so much. I love this board. Much more than Facebook where there is so much meanness. <3

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Hey guys!
My sweet boy Elliott has been diagnosed with an odontoma on his upper left incisor. I am in SC and do not have close access to a vet that can perform the surgery. That being said, I am going to do everything in my power to get him to Dr. Emerson. My vet (that I drove an hour to) said he would send her the xrays to get her opinion etc.
That drive will be about 8 hrs for me. And I would drive 18 if it would save my baby. But a trip like that requires a lot of planning. So that brings me here with some questions for all the squirrel parents that have gone through this and I'd appreciate any help.
I'll have to get a hotel or airbnb obviously and plan days off of work. I know there's the surgery as well as post op visits needed. How many days after surgery is a post op done? This way I can ask for the right amount of days and hotel stays.
He does not ride well and the hour drive seemed so traumatic for him. Is there anything I can do to comfort him more since this will be 8 hrs?
And lastly, can anyone give me a ballpark cost so that we can factor that in with hotel costs etc.
Please be is prayer for me and my sweet baby. My heart is absolutely broken that he's having to go through this. I'd give anything to fix it.

Thank you all so much. I love this board. Much more than Facebook where there is so much meanness. <3

Hi Kalee:
Did you take Elliott to the Vet for problems that were eventually determined to be secondary to the odontoma or was the odontoma found incidentally when Elliott went to the Vet for other issues. I am asking this because while odontomas do not spontaneously disappear and surgery is the means utilized to treat them; not all odontomas need to to be operated immediately upon their discovery. If this is a relatively small odontoma and is not causing any problems currently, it could conceivably be monitored and scheduling surgery may not need to be pressing at this time. Obtaining a consultation from Dr E is a great decision as she is the preeminent Squirrel dental surgeon and has vast experience with odontoma surgery and odontoma management. I would strongly suggest that her recommendations be used as a basis for formulating Elliott's treatment plan!

And yes, there are quite a few members on TSB who have driven from near and far to have their Squirrels operated by Dr. E. They will be able to give you very valuable practical answers to your logistics questions based upon their actual experiences related to having their Squirrels seen and treated by Dr. E!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Kalee]

Hi Kalee:
Did you take Elliott to the Vet for problems that were eventually determined to be secondary to the odontoma or was the odontoma found incidentally when Elliott went to the Vet for other issues. I am asking this because while odontomas do not spontaneously disappear and surgery is the means utilized to treat them; not all odontomas need to to be operated immediately upon their discovery. If this is a relatively small odontoma and is not causing any problems currently, it could conceivably be monitored and scheduling surgery may not need to be pressing at this time. Obtaining a consultation from Dr E is a great decision as she is the preeminent Squirrel dental surgeon and has vast experience with odontoma surgery and odontoma management. I would strongly suggest that her recommendations be used as a basis for formulating Elliott's treatment plan!

And yes, there are quite a few members on TSB who have driven from near and far to have their Squirrels operated by Dr. E. They will be able to give you very valuable practical answers to your logistics questions based upon their actual experiences related to having their Squirrels seen and treated by Dr. E!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

I took Elliott in because I suspected the odontoma. He has been having some nasal symptoms and runny eyes. The 1st Vet close to me wouldn't do an xray and wanted to do antibiotics. I did that with no improvement so I took him to a vet about an hour from me. They did xrays and found it. The vet said he thinks it's small. But it's definitely causing symptoms. I wish that wasn't the case. From what I've read on here and from Thumbelina and Momo's cases I feel like once this starts its an ongoing battle. I know Momo's case is a little different. It's so scary and frustrating not to have more vets that can do this type of thing.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

I took Elliott in because I suspected the odontoma. He has been having some nasal symptoms and runny eyes. The 1st Vet close to me wouldn't do an xray and wanted to do antibiotics. I did that with no improvement so I took him to a vet about an hour from me. They did xrays and found it. The vet said he thinks it's small. But it's definitely causing symptoms. I wish that wasn't the case. From what I've read on here and from Thumbelina and Momo's cases I feel like once this starts its an ongoing battle. I know Momo's case is a little different. It's so scary and frustrating not to have more vets that can do this type of thing.

Thanks and yes, once problems begin with an odontoma, you may sometimes be able to temporize for a bit but that is usually with antibiotics and those were not effective. It seems that you are on the right course and please let us know what Dr. E had to say. I expect that you will soon hear from others who can answer your travel questions!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

Thanks and yes, once problems begin with an odontoma, you may sometimes be able to temporize for a bit but that is usually with antibiotics and those were not effective. It seems that you are on the right course and please let us know what Dr. E had to say. I expect that you will soon hear from others who can answer your travel questions!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

BUMP back for help with travel questions regarding anticipated visit to Dr. E!
Thanks y'all!
StS

[Kalee]

BUMP back for help with travel questions regarding anticipated visit to Dr. E!
Thanks y'all!
StS

Thank you so much for your help. I have emailed them with some of the same questions but haven't heard back just yet. The office may not want to give this info without meeting me and I understand that. It would just be impossible to drive all that way just for an initial visit. I really appreciate all the help.