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Selfishness leaves this glider sick...

7K views 26 replies 12 participants last post by  damsel911 
#1 ·
This is aweful. I am in the process of learning some stuff but was wondering if anyone here could help out some.

A regular customer at work (PetCo) always comes in to get crickets for her glider. I always tease her saying I'm going to steal him because i've always wanted one. She almost gave him to me because they have NO time for him but her daughter (as any child would) got upset. I believe it's the parent's call and decision. Whatever is best for the animal and the people involved.

Last Friday her daughter came to my register and asked if I could do her a favor. She looked desperate so I didn't ask what it was, I just said Ok. Her grandfather died and they were going to go out of town for a week. She asked if I could baby sit her glider for her. I said of course and she jumped and said "Ok. We're leaving in a few minutes." NOT what I expected.

To make a long story short all they were feeding him was about 3 crickets a day, dry cat food, a tbl spoon of yogurt, and about a square inch of caneloupe and half of a grape. NOT enough food AT ALL. They didn't have a staple diet for him or anything. He stunk (as well as his cage) and has been with THREE different families. He's about 6 I'm guessing and isn't too friendly. He'll let me pick him up (he resists but he doesnt bite me) and he loves when I pet him and hand feed him but he's not your 'friendly glider'.

They had him in a VERY small bird cage with one bird nest and a wooden perch. No toys or a puch or ANYTHING. I got him out of that and put him into a chinchilla maternity cage we had laying around. I know it's not the best but it's so much better than what he was in.

I need to know what they need in their cage. I put two of my shirts (so he could smell me so I could eventually carry him around), his pouch I bought him, his bird nest (That he NEVER uses), a leap and ledge, a steal wood perch, paper towels on the bottom and some toys. I also need to know how to tell if he's sick. I'm thinking (from what I've read) that he has lumpy jaw caused by eating the cat food they were feeding him daily. Also how to persuade her to letting me have him (I'm going to offer her money of course), and whatelse I need to know. If I can keep him I'm going to start the BML diet plan. I'm so worried about everything about this little guy. He doesn't stink as much as he did but he still has some rough crusty spots of pee pee in his fur. He acts uncomfortable while eating and he doesn't drink much. He was extremely dehyrated when they handed him to me and he's very skinny compared to the glider pics I've seen online. I've given him some gatorade and grapes to hydrate him. I knew NOTHING about gliders until a few days ago. Within 5 YEARS they could've learned a lot more than they know.

I am at school so I'm going to keep this short for now.
 
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#3 ·
I just tried to reply to this but for some reason it didn't go through and sent me to a search engine...

Anyways, long story short, he's in good hands right now, even if you don't know much about Gliders right now. And I also said that I have a slight feeling they're dumping him on you, since they know you wanted him. (Like they'll come back and realize "how nice it is" not having to take care of him.)

Keep us updated on the little guy. Hopefully he'll start feeling better and get healthier soon!
 
#4 ·
Hmm.. You could try offering to trade and get them a pet that may be easier for them to take care of, maybe fish, or mice. I don't know much about mice, or hampsters, but they might better suit the family. Of couse, you don't just want to trade, and help the glider, while the new pet(s) would be suffering. Also, the glider may need a freind. It may be very lonely. Gliders need buddies a lot, in my opinion.

For the toy part: Try to get some fleece, and braid strips of it. Cat balls, and plastic toy chains for birds can be fun to play with and on. Good Luck! I'll see if i can find any more info for you!
 
#5 ·
i found a pretty good site. Here is a quote of my big issue with un-informed glider owners:
"One thing I can't stress enough, so you will probably see it repeated often in these pages, is that gliders should NEVER be kept singly. They just don't handle it well, because they are community dwellers and need the companionship of others of their kind to the point that they will actually die without it. If you are planning to get only one to save money, don't. You'll end up buying three because the first one will die and you'll know you have to buy two the next time. So it's better to just wait until you can get two, and save yourself the grief and expense of losing the first one!"

here's the glider link good luck!
 
#8 · (Edited)
Jade-
I'm off work Thursday (tomorrow) and am going to make an appointment for Friday. Can't wait to see that bill!! :lol:

Mallory-
Oh how do I wish that they are dumping him on me. I don't feel like giving them 200+ dollars and paying for this vet bill on top of EVERYTHING else. Thank you so much for the kind words. It really means a lot right now. This is getting stressful.


MissAmandasZoo-
Of how much I want this glider out of their hands, I really don't think they need another animal. They are great people and just say Yes to anything that needs a home. I with there was just a way I could make them see how he's suffering.
As for the toys-- The fleece thing sounds like a great idea!! I was going to pick up some cat balls at work today but forgot. I'll run to Wal-Mart and get some scrap fleece. I work at petco and we have these key chain $ savings card. I got some of those and I'm planning on making some sort of toy out of 'em. It'll be fun to figure out. I'm also going to get him and wheel and a friend once we "click" and bond. I've read it's easier to get a younger one that the older one watches him trust you (which builds a relationship with them both at once) but I think it's be best to keep him just for a few months or so until he fully trusts me. I feel we've come a long way.


Purplebunny-

Me too. I love him so much.


When he first got here he was constantly crabbing at me. I couldn't open the cage without him yelling at me to leave him alone. After taking him to work for a few days he started coming around. I felt safe enough to let him run around in the bathroom but he only climbed up on me and sat on my head. After he peed all over my head and hair and face I put him back. I thought he was scared-- didn't know it was normal for them. A chinchilla is wayy too modest!!

The night after that I let him run around again in the bathroom. This night was much better. He was climbing the hair dryer cord (don't worry he was fine!! :) ), swinging on the towel holders, jumping from Kevin's head to my head to the sink, and having a complete blast. Last night was a horror story for me!! (fun for him though) On our way to the bathroom he peed alllll over my shirt. It was so wet that I took it off not thinking about his ENORMOUS claws. Well after about an hour of him using my bare skin as a tree and me prying him off, I put him back in his cage for his dinner.

We have come so far. I've cried just thinking about what he's been through and now knowing what liife can really be like. I don't want to let him go. It's not fair. I wish there was something I could do that would guarantee they would let me have him. That way I could just let go all of the way and not be scared to fall inlove with him. I know I sound pathetic.. I just.. it's not fair to him or anyone else. I wish they could see. I hope mpney and persuading them works. Please pray for us. He'll die if he goes back to them, I just know it. :(

Oh yeah.. Did I tell you? http://www.geocities.com/rocheal828/glider.html
 
#9 ·
Hey

Is that cage that you have him in just plain metal wire? If it is, it isn't safe. They need to be in a PVC, mesh or powder coated cage. Plain wire cages can cause UTI.

I would take the t-shirts out of the cage, if his nails are long, he can get caught up on them. Fleece is a better choice as it has some give in it and no loose threads. You can cut up squares of fleece, make them smell like you and then put them in his sleeping pouch.

Sugar Gliders are I'm afraid also illegal in Georgia. :( Sorry for all the bad news, I don't know if them being illegal would help you persuade them to give them up to you.

Good toys are:
Hard plastic baby toys, e.g links and rattles
Little Tykes houses, stables, ark etc
Hanging bird toys (not the sort that have frayed rope, because they can get caught)
Barrel of Monkeys
Shower Curtain Rings
Cat Teasers (outside of cage-make sure it has no catnip which is toxic to gliders)
Wiffle Balls
 
#12 ·
He's very cute. I hope that there is something you can do for him long term. If they do take him back, is there any way you could contact the local spca or humane society or something? Maybe if you explained the situation they could do something, especially if they are illegal to keep in the state. You have pictures of the other cage and everything, so that would be able to help some kind of case if you go that route. At least that way maybe he wouldn't be in their hands anymore, even if you can't keep him.
 
#13 ·
Oh no! they're illegal? Shoot! Well, if they aren't going to give him to you, you could call up the spca, and the glider can find a new, good home. It could get nasty with the owner's though. You could tell them that he's illegal, and you have to turn him in, or give him to you to turn in. I don't know if they'll be fined for possesion of one also. Anyone else know?
Good luck!
 
#15 ·
I really hope that these previous owners of his have enough sense to let him stay in your care. I dont think that anyone who truly loves animals could say no to you, but then anyone that loved animals wouldnt keep a pet in those conditions, hmm. Hes a real cutie but he does look somewhat malnourished, with a little love and tlc he should be a little prince :). I too am keeping a single glider for the time being. I am thinking of getting her brother and having him neutered, but i would rather have two girls. But i agree that gliders shouldnt be kept singly for long, im constantly with my suggie as i fear that she is lonely. Anyways me and sug will say a prayer for you and your new boy, keep us posted !!
 
#16 ·
I am going to keep this short because I'm in the middle of class!!

I took him to the vet. Wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be. I was VERY angry though because most of the vets I called-- The receptionist had no clue what a glider was! Most thought it was a lizard. :rolleyes:

I got a specialist an hour and a half away to see him. I don't think he knew they're illegal-- or he just didn't say anything.

He said his scent gland looked a little uncomfortable and to clean it was warm water and a q-tip. Hopefully it will clear up. He didn't have lumpy jaw THANK GOD. And he wasn't as in bad of shape as I thought. He's still VERY sad and is acting a lot happier and tamer with me.

I bought him a big cage.. Will find the link Thursday (off work) and post it here. It's awesome. Found it on Ebay!! :)

Will talk to everyone soon!! Thanks for everything. :hug:
 
#19 ·
lol... Ok. I'll call you at 13:23 (lol I don't know what that means!) and we can smuggle.

I have someone in florida that can get me one. We made a pack that whoever gets the first house-- the other person has to come see them. So since we're about to get a house, she has to come see us. Then she can bring a friend!! lol.
 
#22 ·
Well. Since it has been almost three weeks (this Friday will be three weeks, right?) I've decided even if they come back that I will tell them I've taken him to the vet, made him better (ok.. I'll lie a little and tell her he was sick and the vet bill was pretty big), I bought him a huge cage, and I've already 'ordered' him a friend (which I havn't but am planning to). I'll also say they are illegal in Georgia (which they are) and since we breed chinchillas (which we do) that we already have the exotic license (which we don't have or need and it wouldn't be useful with the glider but she doesn't have to know that.) so he'd be safe with us no matter what.

If it gets ugly, I'll tell her that it was very irresponsible of her to tell me at the very last minute (litterally!!) that she needed a baby sitter for a week and left him with me for three (friday will be three) weeks.


I WILL NOT let this glider leave my site. He is mine and Kevin's baby. Making him dinner every night and carrying him in a pouch has just completely made me addicted to him. I think I would really go insane if she took him from me. (which she won't.. I'll never let her!!) :)


It's been so nice watching him 'bloom'. He used to flinch at the slightest noise. I couldn't even raise my hand to pick him up without him freaking out and running to his pouch. About a week after that he could handle Kevin and I picking him up but the dogs barking and playing and the cats jumping on his cage (I know it's bad but we couldn't do anything about it. We live with Kevin's parents right now so locking the dogs somewhere or putting the glider in a secluded area wasn't an option.) really still got to him. He only would leave him pouch to eat a drink. Never to play or look around.

Since we've bought him this cage, the first day he was running around exploring! I've never seen him in such a good mood. His eyes have brightened up. He didn't care when the dogs were barking- Spot even bumped into his cage playing with Mugzlee and the glider didn't even notice. I also caught the cats pawing at him as he was climbing the bars. I was going to jump over and swat them but I just watched. I'm not sure why I just watched but I'm glad I did because I saw him PLAYING with the cats!! He was teasing them, if you could imagine it. He was jumping around so much that his wooden stick perch thing fell! He is a trip!!!

I am so happy I'm goig to end up keeping him. I really hope nothing happens. :) Thanks for all of the support. I will take pics friday of him and post them on here. :D
 
#23 ·
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!

I was so upset the other day. The woman came to work looking for me. I just knew she was back and wanting her glider back. I just kept ignoring the facts and pretending I could just be a little kid and avoid her. She had asked for my phone number but noone would give it to her. I imagine she was pretty upset. She didn't NEED my phone number-- I already gave it to her.

Avoiding her wasn't working. She came back up to work (yes. Only TWICE within FOUR WEEKS!) she talked to the cashier and asked if he had seen me. Again, asked for my number and was refused. She told the cashier that I could have the glider. She didn't want him anymore.

I BAWLED MY EYES OUT

Right there. In front of my manager, and co workers, and customers, and everybody!! I am so incredibly happy right now. Overwhelmed completely. We named him! His name is Aeolos. It's greek for God of Wind. I havn't seen him glide yet but I thought it was cute, and fit him perfectly. Now I am contemplating on getting a friend for him. I know HE would love it but would he just completely shut me out since he wouldn't need me anymore to entertain him? I want him to still WANT to come out of his cage to see me. I am also worried about him because 6 years old and introducing a young joey to him. Then down the road when Aeolos passes.. what will the joey do? Don't they bond incredibly closely to eachother? Will the other one kill himself? Stop eating and such? I just want him to be able to enteract with his own kind. He's got to be lonely and crave conversation... stuff I can't give him. I dunno. Any suggestions?

IM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!

Thank you so much to everybody for all the help and support. I didn't think it was going to be so easy like everyone was saying!!
 
#25 ·
Hi. I'm afraid I don't have any advice to offer - I know nothing about sugar gliders. But I've been following this thread. I can't believe the way the woman 'dumped' him on you, and the state he was in. :mad2:

I'm just so pleased that you have him and are looking after him so well. Am so pleased he's definitely 'yours' now. Just wanted to wish you well, and say 'well done'. Aeolos is definitely lucky to have found you. :)
 
#26 ·
:congrats: yay: What a cute name. From what I've read, I don't think he will be less close with you if you find him a friend. He will be happier, and he'll have even more to play with, and snuggle. And there's nothing against having two gliders in your pocket, right? They can both be out at the same time, and if Aeolos gives you have as much attention, then the other will make up for it. Wow, usually it's the other way around, gliders needing the attention from you. lol j/k. you are so perfect for this animal!

Now, I don't know if they bond too closely, but if you get one more when Aeolos passes, you would want another for the second, (we'll call him bob), then bob would pass, and you would need a friend for the remaining, and so on in a never ending glider chain. I think the only solutions for that is to either get 2 more gliders, or find a glider the same age as Aeolos, maybe from a rescue group. Hmmm... Good luck!
 
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