A guy I know was re-homing a bonded male pair awhile back.

He takes in gliders from homes where they weren't cared for right and fixes them up. Vet checks (and neuters for males). Once they are healthy, he screens potential homes and re-homes them for the price of the vet bill.

Well, when he took the two males in to get neutered one got an infection from it. He was put on meds, but did not recover and passed away about 2 weeks ago. Before he died, he was screened for parasites and what not and passed with a clean vet bill. However, his cagemate was not screened.

He is now re-homing this male to me for free. But what I was wondering is that considering the cagemate passed with a clean bill, should I still take this male in to get checked as well? Or do you suppose he would be safe since you would figure that if either of them had anything they would have shared it with each other and therefore showed up on the dead gliders health check.

Hope this makes sense, I'm typing while half asleep. Let me know if anything needs to be clearer. Thanks.

I would take him in for a health check/screen. He's free, so it's not like it'll cost you a lot. Just that check up. Since parasites can hide so well, it's better safe than sorry, but I'd assume he's fine.

I'd also take him in for a vet check. Parasites can lay dormant until stress brings them out, the stress of the cagemate dying then a rehome may bring them out. Better to be safe. =]

Yes, you should still take the male in to get checked as well. Just because nothing showed up does not mean that nothings there.

I agree with the others. I take new gliders in for wellness exams whether they've been to the vet already or not. I like the added security of knowing my glider is safe. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the new little guy!

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Originally posted by fadedrainbows

I'd also take him in for a vet check. Parasites can lay dormant until stress brings them out, the stress of the cagemate dying then a rehome may bring them out. Better to be safe. =]

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I totally agree. It really is advisable to at least have a colony fecal float/smear every six months for this exact reason.

Poor little guy! I hope you can find another friend for him once he's settled.

The incident that happened with this glider's cage mate is why I am a fan of laser neuters. My Hercules had a bad experience with a conventional neuter, when he opened the incision site up by the next morning. All of the rest of my boys have had laser neuters with poms of, and they were back to "normal" by the same night.

Thanks everyone!

And don't worry Mollysmom, the only reason he came to me first is because he knows I'm knowledgeable and looking for a cagemate for my female, Sweetness =]

it be good to do just as intro to your vet so if he goes back later for a problem then they already have his general info.. (that's what i do with most my other animals)

Mollysmom, do you have to ask for the laser neuter proceedure, and is it more pricey or around the same? thanks!

I did call around to find a vet who knew gliders, and was able to do a laser neuter. Not all vets have the necessary equipment or expertise. It was slightly more than a conventional neuter at the outset. However, Herc DID open up his incision site on the conventional neuter, so it ended up costing me WAY more than a laser neuter. And, I was able to sleep well after the laser neuters because the boys were more comfortable those nights, too (than they would have been with conventional neuters, that is).

The cost of a laser neuter=$165.00. Good, worry free sleep for me on the night after the laser neuters=priceless!