In Reply to: My sugar gliders needs help :( posted by Jasley on July 04, 2000 at 22:30:27:

Hello Jasley,
I don't know where to start. I understand that you got your glider only one day and that you are on vacation. Is it right?

Did you ever see this glider in good condition, did you see it able to move it's front legs? Do you think it may have been injured in the process of being given to you? Who did you get the glider from and have you talked with them about it?
If you are sure it was OK when you got it, then something happened. You say your glider is in a sock. Well, I have read a lot of horrible stories about glider claws getting caught in a loop of thread or elastic in a sock and strangling themselves or cutting circulation to one of their limbs - which later had to be amputated - so I suggest you replace the sock with a fleece pouch as soon as you can. (If your glider had gotten stuck in the sock, you probably would have had to get it out of there yourself though. I'm not saying this is what happened to your glider. I'm pointing this out just so you know the dangers of the sock. I know many sources recommend it. I also know many gliders have died from it).

You mention your glider may have been sat on. I'm a bit puzzled by this. Isn't the sock in a cage? You know you should never leave a glider unattended when it's out of its cage.
Now, about the VET: I know you can't afford it but please find a way. Can someone lend you money? Can your glider see a vet throught the breeder or petshop that you got it from? Maybe there is a vet that is less expensive in your area. Did you look through the yellow pages to find all vet adds that say "exotics", and call them to find the ones that treat sugar gliders? Your baby really needs to see the vet ASAP. In normal circumstances, I would try to find the best/most experienced glider vet in the area but I think you're running out of time.
I'm sure you care for your glider and I'm sorry this is starting out in such a traumatic way for you and your new friend but please do the right thing. A friend can deposit money in your account from a different country and the money would be available to you today... There has to be a way.

Also I don't know much about what to feed a baby that was just weaned (I'm assuming that your glider is a baby) but if all you know about gliders comes from the petshop, you will have to do some research on glider diet, etc. This may not apply. I don't know much about you and your experience with pets... I'm just saying this in case you are new with sugar gliders. And a lot of pet shop employees give erroneous information about gliders.
I understand you came to glider gossip to get help, because you care for the little one. It is very difficult to tell you what you can do - except go to the vet - because we have very little information about your glider's condition and what may have happened to it. Even when poeple at glider gossip are pretty sure they know whet the glider suffers from, they suggest to go to the vet because there is nothing that replaces a physical examination by an expert.

Our goal is not to tell you that you do everything wrong! We are telling you the only thing we know might help: PLease find a way to go to the vet.
I hope some of this helps.

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