Message:

Subject: Re: Traveling overseas for the holidays...
Posted by Cynthia on December 19, 1998 at 15:44:06:

In Reply to: Traveling overseas for the holidays... posted by Twinklebelle on December 19, 1998 at 06:02:44:

: 1) I think my family will be going overseas for a week or so. security is a bit more extreme at customs and ask you to declare whatever you are bringing with you into the USA--including animals. Also...will the change in environment/food(?) hurt them?

I am going to advise you to leave them with someone. You still have time to get them use to someone else and to teach that someone how to take care of them for you. Also even if they are sleeping on your person when you come through customs how do you know that there won't be dogs there that day? A dog would surely smell them. At the very least they would probably be confiscated and put into quaranteen for a couple of weeks or more and just think how stressful that could be for them. Yes the added stress of change in environment and change in diet can be detrimental and stress can be fatal for these little ones. Why risk it if you don't have to. Love them enough to make preparations for them here.

: b) I know this must have been adresses 1,000 times, but I have had my babies for a few months now and they have never smelled at all. I keep their cage really clean and their nest box and they really do keep themselves clean too. They never smelled at all. Well for the last few days I have been staying with a friend and they have been with me. I have literally changed the cage everyday and bleached it a few times this week too, but they smell....whew! I am wondering if it has something to do with what they are eating although there has been nothing unusual lately in their diet. Could it be maturation of the male? WHAT CAN I DO?? if I do end up leaving them with someone I do not want them to have this awful smell and frankly I don't want my room to smell.

More than likely your gliders are maturing and marking more due to their maturing. Don't-yes I said don't-clean the cage so often. Initially it will have a slight odor but that odor will disapate. The more that you clean it the more that it will be marked and will smell. You can spray the cage with a solution of 1 part vinegar and 4 parts water and then wipe it down, and scrub it once a month. I think that it won't take long till you notice a difference.

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