 | Posted by: | Howard | | Subject: | Please answer my ?'s... | | When: | 1:01 AM, 22 Dec 2000 | | IP: | 24.129.186.237 |
I was wondering if I should take my sugarglider for vet visit. Nothing is really wrong with him but just incase. I'm not sure he's getting enough calcium(I just have "ReptoCal") and I saw one of his back legs twitch. Is that normal? I only saw it once and it went for about 3-4 seconds but I'm a bit worried. Who knows... Anyway, how much will it run me if nothing is really wrong with him? Also, what do they do? What should I bring him in? What will they ask me? I'm just a little scared, can't you tell? Ha ha ha... I am also considering neutering him, so while they are giving him a checkup, I can talk to them about that, right? THANKS A LOT!
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| Posted by: | Debbie, delliott@tulane.edu | | Subject: | Howard - long, sor | | When: | 7:45 AM, 22 Dec 2000 | | IP: | 216.227.111.97 |
I've had my gliders less than two months, but I've already had them vet checked and neutered, so I can share my experiences about that with you.
I took mine to the vet in a small animal carrying case inside their pouch. I waited until they were asleep and then just lifted the pouch and stuffed it in the case. (Mine won't sleep in their nest box they prefer the pouch). When one of them got curious in the car he was able to come out of the pouch to look around to look around but was also safe in the case. I also put a few grape-halves in there that he enjoyed.
The vet and assistants let me extract them from their pouch and were patient with me as it took awhile; I had never tried to force them out before. The whole visit we only got one short crab so I was pleased at how gentle everyone was. They weighed them, took a sample of feces that had been deposited in the carrying case to check for parasites, and the vet held each one for a minute or two and critically observed their movements. He discovered that Winky is pregnant!
I have the good fortune to have an exotics specialist vet - two in the same office- in my city, and I went there. If you can, DO THIS it is very important!!!! I left that office with a lot of good sound advice and a feeling that here is someone I trust. They had xeroxed published articles about gliders and some of the material I presented on this forum and got corroborated by these owners. That first "well-visit" check up cost me $90 I think, for two gliders. It would probably be around $50 for one.
The next week I got my male neutered. I was very lucky. This vet handled all so smoothely. They kept him overnight, so he was there for about 36 hours total. They paged me when the surgery was over and reassured me everything was going great! When we picked him up at 5 the next day he was our regular Dobby sans scrotum. No messing with e collars, sedatives, or anything. He didn't tell me to keep him away from his mate, like I have since learned is a good idea, but they were very well behaved and we simply had no problems whatsoever. This cost $85 and included a free post-op vet check a week later to take out any stitches that didn't get resorbed. After reading the horror stories on this forum I just wanted to reassure you that it can go incredibly smoothely.
Good luck and happy gliding!
| Posted by: | Gl!dermommy, Julbabe64@aol.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 9:26 AM, 27 Dec 2000 | | IP: | 152.163.207.67 |
Howard..it is extremely important to make sure that you find a vet that is experienced with Sugar Gliders!!! I cannot express this enough! They are so tiny and vunerable that if you have someone that is not familiar with them than you have no choice but to find another vet for your gliders. Make sure that you ask how many they have treated...you may also ask any breeders in your town who they take their gliders to.
Good Luck!
Julie
| Posted by: | Cristina, cristinahelms@hotmail.com | | Subject: | none | | When: | 12:28 PM, 27 Dec 2000 | | IP: | 167.127.24.18 |
Howard if I were you I would stop using Reptocal and replace it with Rep-cal. Reptocal is really high in phosphorus, which is bad for gliders. Rep-cal is phosphorus free which is much better for them. My vet checkups only run me about $20, you can go to Glider Central (which you can get to through the links page), they have vet listings for gliders.
| Posted by: | IrishCreme | | Subject: | a must... | | When: | 11:42 PM, 28 Dec 2000 | | IP: | 209.71.89.206 |
I would definately suggest a "healthy" vet visit.
Nothing can help your vet more than actually seeing your glider in tip-top shape. This way they can take notes and ask any possible questions; so that (Lord forbid) you ever have to take him in for 'concerns' they'll have a documented reference that is specific to your glider.
Take your time, find a knowledgable vet and jump in with both feet. I promise you that the vet wont ask you any questions that those here wouldn't eventually get around to asking.
Information is a powerful tool - use it to the best of your ability... and allow your vet to do the same.
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