Hello, I'm a new poster but I've been lurking here for quite a while! I'm in central NJ, and finding an exotic vet who will neuter my boys has been a very frustrating challenge. The one vet who said he would do it is now saying "NO" because they're too small for him to put under anesthesia.

I have four gliders - 2 boys & a girl acquired from The Company That Shall Remain Nameless, and 1 girl joey 7 weeks OOP. I am trying my hardest to find a vet who will neuter my boys Rascal & Gizmo. Best price I've gotten so far is $200 for a well and $475 for each neuter

The last vet that I spoke with told me that she recommends that you NEVER neuter males in a colony because when the female goes into heat, she will self mutilate because there are no males to ... umm ... err ... "SERVICE HER NEEDS". Therefore, she will ONLY spay the females.

OK, I've been on here long enough to know that spaying a marsupial is a very invasive procedure wrought with risks ... have ANY of you ever heard of such a thing???

Any input would be appreciated!

No the females are to small. Its to much of a risk. and its good to neuter the males because when she does go into heat they might fight. even fixed they still might fight. and the female wont self mutilate, there are colonies of only girls and being fixed means there wont be any babies not that they cant "service her needs"

Welcome by the way

Oh my ... that is just reeeealllly sad. It's really discouraging some of the advice that we hear from vets. I'm afraid that there are many that are not experienced or knowledgable.

I'd start looking within drivable distances. Driving an hour or two could save you a lot of money and find a more practical, knowledgeable vet. Call around to breeders in the area as well and see if they recommend a vet. I finally found a vet that would do it for less that $100.

My best advice is to find a new, knowledgeable vet. Did you check the vet database above? (Under "Resources" up top) Otherwise, maybe another member near you will be able to help out or refer you.

I checked the database, and both within 45 minutes (Red Bank & Ocean) are asking for $475 to $600 a PIECE for neuter. The well is also $125 EACH GLIDER. Yeah, I know these little buggers run more than the average pet, but I would like to find something a bit more reasonable before resigning myself to over $1000 in neutering!!! The sad thing is, this vet was quite adamant about her "expertise" - I thought I remember reading on here there are only 1 or 2 vets in all the USA that even attempt to spay a sugar glider?!?!

You're right about that. Spaying is NOT common and is so much more risky for females. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've personally ever even run across someone that's had that done-ever. I pay $45 for a well check and $85 for neuters. That's insane!!!!!

I'm thinking of calling the University of Pennsylvania Vet school to see if they know of anyone who is an exotic vet who specializes in these little buggers. We're about an hour & 15 minutes from Philly - I'll keep everyone posted if I have any luck! I guess I could just follow the advice of the place where I got 'em & break out the dental floss

Do not get your females spayed. It is way to dangerous. The little boys can still do it after they are neutered if that is her concern. And I know I have heard some pricey figures for a neuter but usually under $200. And if she doesn't know how to administer anestesia I wouldn't look at her twice. It's sounds like she doesn't have a clue about sugar gliders. She sounds like an idiot. RUN!!!!!

Just pick up the phone and start calling - you might find one who has some experience. I never trust a vet who claims to know it all.

Female gliders will NOT self mutilate when they go in to heat. Even a neutered male will "do the deed," so get ready for that. Think of it this way - a human male who has had a vasectomy can still perform - they just can't father children. Same with any other species - including gliders.

Perhaps you would like to get that vet in touch with the SUGAR group for the most up-to-date information and statistics on sugar gliders. If so, please let me know.

I drive 6 hours one way for quality vet care. I do this because I decided in my mind that nothing - NOTHING - would keep me from providing the very best for my babies. You must decide what you are willing to do and do it. For the price you are looking at, I bet you could find a vet within a 3-4 hour drive that would be significantly cheaper. In the end, you would save- even with the cost of driving. Something to think about.

BTW. If she is in the habit of spaying gliders she might want to turn all of her medical records over to the "Board of Vets" (I don't know who that would be) because she would probably be famous. It just isn't done as far as I can tell because it is so risky and there is no reason to do it because you can neuter the males easily. Kinda like humans in that is is easier for a man to get fixed.

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Originally posted by kyro298

You're right about that. Spaying is NOT common and is so much more risky for females. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've personally ever even run across someone that's had that done-ever. I pay $45 for a well check and $85 for neuters. That's insane!!!!!

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Thats what I pay also.

I go to Chadwell Animal Hospital, in Abington, MD. Their phone number is 443-512-8338. Im not sure how far it is from you, or even exactly where your from. I assume somewhere close to Philly.

wow definitely do NOT get your females spayed. Very bad idea.

I would love to know how many females this vet has spayed. And some owners who have had their females spayed by this vet...

To my knowledge, only ONE glider has ever been spayed. I don't remember details, only that it was a very LONG and invasive and risky surgery.

I hope you know I was only kidding about the dental floss!!!



But I'm not kidding about the advice that I got to do it

Oh no, I knew exactly what you meant. It just still blows my mind...

Spaying isnt all that difficult in general but yes it is much more risky in such a tiny animal. That vet has probably never spayed a sugar glider and is looking for the opportunity.

An intact and healthy female will not SM if she is in heat regardless if she is alone or in a colony with many other males.

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Originally posted by kyro298

You're right about that. Spaying is NOT common and is so much more risky for females. As a matter of fact, I don't think I've personally ever even run across someone that's had that done-ever.

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One day I was browsing petfinder.com looking at female suggies (cause I need to get another female after Jersey and the boys get together) and I actually saw an ad for a spayed female glider. I found it VERY strange because I had always heard the same thing. I wouldn't personally recommend it either!!! I just was a little shocked to see that someone had it done.

I wonder if they meant neutered? So many people get that mixed up. If not, they're definitely an extreme minority.

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Originally posted by WyldKat2

I'm thinking of calling the University of Pennsylvania Vet school to see if they know of anyone who is an exotic vet who specializes in these little buggers. We're about an hour & 15 minutes from Philly - I'll keep everyone posted if I have any luck! I guess I could just follow the advice of the place where I got 'em & break out the dental floss

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Since gliders are technically not legal In PA (They are but require a permit which they dont issue out) you might have a hard time finding them there too.

I know there was a member on here from NJ who had the same issue and the cheapest he could find for a neuter was like 200 dollars or 300.

The northeastern states are more expensive to neuter them. Here my vet charges 140.

I would never get my girls spayed, too much of a risk!
Ther reproductive system is a little more complicated then most animals and no, a female will not SM during her heat cycle, if there was a fixed male around while she gose through her heat cycle he will probually still mate with her but he would be "shooting blanks" like most of you put it.

One of my males is fixed and he "flosses" and still breeds with my girl even though he isnt capable of makin babies.

Mine too...Daddy is QUITE the ladies man QUITE often.

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Originally posted by kyro298

Mine too...Daddy is QUITE the ladies man QUITE often.

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Oh Dear!

Hey, the poor guy has to earn his keep somehow.

This is why I thank the good lord above that I was blessed to have an awesome vet that makes house visits for my little suggies (lots less stress than toting them around to new places)! She only charges me $105 TOTAL for check-ups for ALL 3 of my suggies AND $50 ea. for neuters!!! The breeder I got my suggies from even offered to have them neutered through her for $35 AND it just so happens to be the same vet I see!!!

Just keep looking! And hopefully you can get as lucky as I did! Good luck, and keep us posted!

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Originally posted by davegerbil

Hey, the poor guy has to earn his keep somehow.

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