 | Posted by: | Dawn, Capriceb@aol.com | | Subject: | self mutilation answers - long | | When: | 11:42 PM, 07 Nov 2000 | | IP: | 205.188.192.176 |
Hi all. I've been absent for about a month due to buying out another company (60-75+ hour work weeks don't lend well to checking boards). I realized today that a couple cases of glider self mutilation had occurred while I was gone, and some people had trouble finding me for help (in case you're new to this board, my Petey made it through a case of this a couple of months ago -- happy and healthy now -- one of the few if not the only glider to recover completely).
I'm posting this message for two reasons -- 1) to give my e-mail addy so I can be contacted directly if anyone needs my help, and 2) to brief everyone on the things that are critical to do immediately when you think your glider is self mutilating. I certainly don't know everything, but I do know what worked for my little guy.
Petey's "real story" will be available soon with a lot more detail, but I thought it was important to get this out right away.
First, listen to your gliders. Petey made an odd cry when he started self-mutilating. It sounded like a fighting/mating noise, but it had a sharper, pained sound to it. If you hear that, go running to your glider and make sure they are not biting themself.
Second, if the glider is curled into a ball biting itself, you must stop it immediately. You will probably get bit. Using a pouch to grab the glider is the best, but use your bare hand if you have to. Get your thumb and fingers around the body so you're in between their mouth and tail. Again, you will likely get bit, but if you catch them before they do much damage to themself, you have a better chance of saving them.
Third, if you've done the above, don't just put them back in the cage and go back to bed. As the song goes, it ain't over til it's over. Stay with them, ready to repeat the above if it happens again, and get to the vet immediately. Don't ask for an appointment, tell the vet you have an emergency. Your vet should give you an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory (Baytril and Pediapred worked for Petey). If your vet doesn't understand that this is a critical situation, MAKE them understand. Self-mutilation can mean a fast death for gliders -- just read the real stories for proof.
Fourth, Get an e-collar on that glider ASAP. We used a clear plastic report cover to work from, and padded the neck edge with a double layer of moleskin, then fastened it with another strip of moleskin. The basic measurements are: 1" wide strip of plastic about 5" long. Pad the neck edge with a 1/2" strip of moleskin folded over the edge so 1/4" is on each side (do twice). Fasten it into a cone shape with a 3"x1/2" strip of moleskin. It has to be tight, but watch your glider closely to make sure they can still breathe and you're not cutting off circulation. You may have to hand-feed your glider while they are wearing this contraption.
Fifth, plan on having someone with your glider 24/7 until the situation is resolved. This means having someone right with the glider all the time, not just in the same house. As stated in #2 above, if you can stop/keep them from biting themself, you have a better chance the glider will survive the self-mutilation.
I hope this helps. Since I hardly have time for any boards (I'd rather spend my limited free time with my gliders...and husband!), Glider Gossip is the only one I get to often. So, if you post on other glider boards, please do share this info with other people. Hopefully it will help save another glider out there.
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| Posted by: | Lu, frufru33@hotmail.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 1:46 PM, 08 Nov 2000 | | IP: | 12.77.152.118 |
Thank you, Dawn! That is very important info. Hopefully it won't be necessary for any of us to use it, though. I'm glad all is well w/ Petey! 
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