Hey folks! My first post.

I bought two male gliders from P3 back in July (Larry & Balki). I've been trying to educate myself more since then and I've decided to take the boys to get a wellness exam.

I called a local facility, and spoke to the small animal specialist there. She said she has seen many gliders. That was reassuring. However, she directed me to the American Sugar Glider Vet website. Rather, she asked me if I had visited it. I had, because that is where P3 tells you to go.

I'm worried now. Most stuff on the ASGV website is contradictory to the majority of the info on here (and other similar sites). I didn't ask what her association was with ASGV. I'm supposed to take my boys Monday morning.

Any advice?

The ASGV was formerly a fictitious organization, which consisted of one vet who was on the PPP payroll.

However, since money talks, they have systematically been convincing more and more vets to join their organization, so now it actually appears to be a legitimate deal.

Of course, the only vets they will convince to join are those who do see exotic animals, but are unfamiliar with sugar gliders specifically. Therefore, those vets wouldn't be a good choice for a glider vet anyway! If they have a general knowledge of sugar gliders, and then "honed" their information at the ASGV website, I'd steer clear.

However, if you like the vet, and feel she can be "saved" ... encourage her to go to this site:
http://www.sugarglidervetinfo.com/
It is a website FOR vets, and was designed and developed to both educate vets, and counteract that ASGV nonsense.

Good luck!

liger_trainer, I have an idea. Since you are new and posting about this topic, you might be motivated to learn. Why dont you come up with a brief comparative document about what THEY say and what WE say and let's discuss the various points.

I think this would be helpful for you and also for future new owners.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Kazko</i>
<br />liger_trainer, I have an idea. Since you are new and posting about this topic, you might be motivated to learn. Why dont you come up with a brief comparative document about what THEY say and what WE say and let's discuss the various points.

I think this would be helpful for you and also for future new owners.


<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I'm up for it. There is certainly a wealth of information here. Slightly overwhelming...

I'm definitely dedicated to learn though. It was actually frustrating that there is very little info available from "those guys".

I'm grateful that my boys seem very happy and healthy so far and I intend to keep them that way.

My vet made me laugh.. He stated, "I looked online and saw the videos and the website for the ASGV and what a lie." "You know there is an issue when a vet suggest 1 brand of food and its pellets."

He went on to explain that captive gliders is new in the US and there aren't enough studies to tell people to use 1 diet and that sounded more like he is paid vet by PPP. (which everyone on here can make the same assumption) He also said shoving your finger in a gliders mouth is one of the dumbest things he ever heard. That is like chocking a dog to stop him from barking.

A real vet he said, will show you options..

Thumbs up for your vet!

Now THAT is an experienced vet!!

Definately agreed!! Thats wonderful that your vet isnt so googly-eyed about money and seems to actually care about suggies!

Congrats Liger_trainer on your two new boys! Post some pics when you can! We'd love to see em! I definately agree with Valkyriemome. Thats a really good idea too Kazko. That would be an interesting topic.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by jakeelwood</i>
<br />My vet made me laugh.. He stated, "I looked online and saw the videos and the website for the ASGV and what a lie." "You know there is an issue when a vet suggest 1 brand of food and its pellets."

He went on to explain that captive gliders is new in the US and there aren't enough studies to tell people to use 1 diet and that sounded more like he is paid vet by PPP. (which everyone on here can make the same assumption) He also said shoving your finger in a gliders mouth is one of the dumbest things he ever heard. That is like chocking a dog to stop him from barking.

A real vet he said, will show you options..
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PPP is sooooo bad i can just SCREAM (of course thats were i got my first sick little baby).....fyi if you are using their pellet food TOSS it ASAP. My sugar glider has been sick for Months and me and my vet could not find what was wrong with him (see my posting on Swollen Glands)..i started doing research and found the PPP food and diet is horrible..I tossed the PPP food and started a whole new diet.WOW after 5momnts of him being in pain he is bouncing around, he's gained weight and his glands are no longer swollen....Get away from EVERYTHING PPP

My take on it? Whatever PPP and PPP educated vets tell you to do....DO THE EXACT OPPOSITE....and run in the other direction....

that are the devil and this little guys need angles...

FYI..on their website is says the are backed by BBB..i looked it up on the BBB website and they show no info..has anyone ever called the BBB about them?...if not i will be the first one to call and get the stupid logo off their site.

Charlie- as long as they replace "broken products" they're a "great" business according to the BBB.