A few weeks ago I noticed my suggie had a white film over half of one her eyes whenever she first woke up. It always goes aaway after she has been awake for a while. It looks kind of weird and unhealthy, so I called a vet yesterday to find out her opinion. She said that sugar gliders have a third eyelid that goes across their eye, and so I am pretty sure thats what the white film is - her inner eyelid. She said that it might be dry and not able to open all the way until she blinks and moistens it up a bit, or could be a problem with conjunctivitis (pink eye?). Has anyone had a similar issue? I am thinking about making a vet appointment soon, though it has been happening less. Advice?


Also, when I was trying to figure out what was wrong, I remembered everyone saying not to use cedar bedding or cedar toys... but the walls of our house, in and out, are raw, unfinished/sanded cedar, which suggie loves to climb on. Should I worry? What exactly is the concern with cedar?

I have seen my glider's third eyelid but only glimpses of it when they are sleepy, never for long. As I understand the problem with cedar is the vapors that come from it, which can also be hazardous to human, but mainly in mills where it is cut up and the dust and particles are stirred around. Google cedar bedding problems or cedar and pets and see if you can find anything about walls being cedar. Here is one article I found about shavings:

exoticpets.about.com/cs/guineapigs/a/woodshavings.htm

It's not a good idea to self medicate animals however you will find that human eye ointment for conjunctivitis is quite safe to use on animals. I had a dog that was a toy breed and she often got conjuntivitis. The vet prescribed over the counter medication called Brolene. I asked the chemist about it also and said it was for my dog and he told me it was completely safe to use. Even if the eye is just sticking this treatment will lubricate the eye and might help clean up any infection.

The cedar walls on your house shouldn't casue any concern to your glider. Cedar shavings can cause respritory problems as they have a very strong smell and have been fresh'y cut. Your walls shouldn't have any smell left on them if the planks have been up for a while. Freshh ceadar bord might be a liitle worse though, so shouldnt be a problem even if they climb on it.