I've worked for vets that have said no money no service before. I'm gonna put myself out there on this one I don't have an emergency vet fund never have and probably never will. Does that make me a bad glider owner nope not for one min. That makes me like 90% of the population in my area we live check to check day by day. If I was in an emergency situation I'd have to do the best I can. Call my vet friends and go from there. Sometimes that's just how life is for some of us.

The whole point of this thread was to get people to have a vet lined up and it sounds like you do.

Here you go Lisa:

VET CONSULT NUMBERS

The following Vets are willing to consult with other vets who have questions regarding sugar glider care and emergencies.

Please put these numbers in your Emergency Kit.

We are NOT to call these vets ourselves - they will only consult with another Vet!!!


Dr.Tim Tristan
OSO Creek Animal Hospital
361-994-1145

Dr. Bradley Walsh
Village Vet Animal Clinic/All Creatures Veterinary Hospital
918-258-0040

Dr. Andrew Grzanowski
Canton Center Animal Hospital
734-459-1400

Dr. Kate Zimmerman
TriCounty Animal Hospital
(has 24hr emergency contact info on her office answering machine)
423-391-0303


Dr. Teresa Bradley
Belton Animal Clinic
816-331-3120

Dr. Kristen West
Mandel Veterinary Hospital
216-321-6040

Awesome! I have those printed and put in my now developing suggie emergency kit. I do have a question, I see Val and Ed mentioned a lot would it be good/ok to have their number with it as well?

Yes - you should pretty much call Val for any medical situation - she's seen them all.

Just be aware that Something_To_Believe_In is Val!

I'm Alden.

Tootles - you've entirely missed the point of this thread. And apparently the posts that created it.

Is that the kind of advice you give to new owners?

Ok, thank you, I will message her. And Nice to "meet" you Alden :)

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by valkyriemome</i>
<br />Yes - you should pretty much call Val for any medical situation - she's seen them all.

Just be aware that Something_To_Believe_In is Val!

I'm Alden.

Tootles - you've entirely missed the point of this thread. And apparently the posts that created it.

Is that the kind of advice you give to new owners?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I
Val just because no matter what she is doing she will always stop to help someone :)

Where are these vets located? Just curious.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by kyro298</i>
<br />Here you go Lisa:

VET CONSULT NUMBERS

The following Vets are willing to consult with other vets who have questions regarding sugar glider care and emergencies.

Please put these numbers in your Emergency Kit.

We are NOT to call these vets ourselves - they will only consult with another Vet!!!


Dr.Tim Tristan
OSO Creek Animal Hospital
361-994-1145

Dr. Bradley Walsh
Village Vet Animal Clinic/All Creatures Veterinary Hospital
918-258-0040

Dr. Andrew Grzanowski
Canton Center Animal Hospital
734-459-1400

Dr. Kate Zimmerman
TriCounty Animal Hospital
(has 24hr emergency contact info on her office answering machine)
423-391-0303


Dr. Teresa Bradley
Belton Animal Clinic
816-331-3120

Dr. Kristen West
Mandel Veterinary Hospital
216-321-6040


<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Throughout the country. Dr. Walsh is in Tulsa. That, I do know.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by kyro298</i>
<br />Throughout the country. Dr. Walsh is in Tulsa. That, I do know.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Do you know if any of them are in the DC area (DC, MD, VA)?

Not sure. If so, they'd probably be listed in the links I posted on the first page. Those let you search for vets by city/area.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by kyro298</i>
<br />Not sure. If so, they'd probably be listed in the links I posted on the first page. Those let you search for vets by city/area.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks. I must have missed that.

I keep them bookmarked. Great resources!

Thank you Kylah. Got it printed twice. One for the car and one for beside the door.

Thanks!

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by valkyriemome</i>
<br />Yes - you should pretty much call Val for any medical situation - she's seen them all.

Just be aware that Something_To_Believe_In is Val!

I'm Alden.

Tootles - you've entirely missed the point of this thread. And apparently the posts that created it.

Is that the kind of advice you give to new owners?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No I don't think I missed the point at all. I was just clarifying that not all of us have an expense account saved for emergencies. Some of us have to use just talking to someone on the phone for home help. Nope I fully understand what your post meant.

I don't have an emergency fund account but After Omi got his UTI, I got a Care Credit card. Not everyone qualifies for it or for help from TGI. I think Rowangel applied for both and got help from neither. Thankfully, she did have a savings though. I agree with Tootles. We don't have extra money every week after bills and such to designate to a glider fund. We aren't poor but really, who thinks of those things? Yes, it is a good point though. <blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by tootles</i>
<br /><blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by valkyriemome</i>
<br />Yes - you should pretty much call Val for any medical situation - she's seen them all.

Just be aware that Something_To_Believe_In is Val!

I'm Alden.

Tootles - you've entirely missed the point of this thread. And apparently the posts that created it.

Is that the kind of advice you give to new owners?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

No I don't think I missed the point at all. I was just clarifying that not all of us have an expense account saved for emergencies. Some of us have to use just talking to someone on the phone for home help. Nope I fully understand what your post meant.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I live paycheck to paycheck like a lot of society does. When I adopted my very first dog on my own I opened a care credit account for emergencies. I would never, NEVER forgive myself for letting one of my animals suffer or God forbid die because I was selfish and didn't have a concrete backup plan for their health care. Consequently I have an 11 year old dachshund sitting in my lap, happy as a clam, who would have died at 4 from a ruptured spinal column without that card.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Tigerlily88</i>
<br />I live paycheck to paycheck like a lot of society does. When I adopted my very first dog on my own I opened a care credit account for emergencies. I would never, NEVER forgive myself for letting one of my animals suffer or God forbid die because I was selfish and didn't have a concrete backup plan for their health care. Consequently I have an 11 year old dachshund sitting in my lap, happy as a clam, who would have died at 4 from a ruptured spinal column without that card.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Love it! I have a couple friends who have very low-balance Credit Cards they keep only for sudden emergency's. Most have never used theirs, a few were thankful they had one.

Care credit is the best thing ever! I try to only use it for emergencies, but heck, it even works at the dentist, I've used it when I had to go in for emergency dental work for myself!

And in most cases Care Credit offers 0% apr for 6 months. I think if the charge is highrer, they'll give you longer like 12 or 15 months to pay without APR. But...not every vet takes care credit. So, that does eliminate some of the celebration.

I'm going to look into getting a care card. I always try and keep some money saved up for emergencies.. but with three kids and an accident prone hubby.. its always getting used up fast. A care credit card would be awesome to keep on hand!

I know this thread hasn't been bumped in a bit, but I'm going to be the mean one for a few minutes and say:

In my view, going on 7 years as a glider owner now, and knowing firsthand how expensive they are - and yes, this is going to tick some people off - you should really reconsider purchasing gliders if you're living paycheck to paycheck. I understand that ALOT of people buy on impulse without going research and don't REALIZE how expensive they can be beforehand, but even THOSE people should be setting something, ANYTHING, aside from each paycheck ($15 bucks every two weeks into a vet fund is better than nothing and guess what, that comes out to saving $780 anually just with that small amount) to help BUILD that vet fund. You can't just HOPE you won't need emergency funds, you can't just go on a whim and a prayer that nothing bad will happen.

For people who DO do their research beforehand and have NO money set aside already or no ability to easily PUT money aside for a vet fund - PLEASE GOD do not purchase a glider/gliders. Gliders can cost THOUSANDS of dollars for one treatment, and the mindset of "I'll just deal with it if it happens" does NOT magically make money trees grow in your backyard for you to pluck dollar billa from.

I literally have $4,000, no word of lie, set aside for my gliders in a fund that's in a different bank from my "regular money." I never touch it, it hasn't (knock on wood) been touched in years, but by God, it's there, ready and waiting. Does it make you a bad glider owner if you knowingly purchase gliders, knowing how expensive they can be, without having money put aside first? YES, it makes irresponsible, selfish, and just "wanting what I want."

I know people are going to testy and say I'm mean for calling people bad glider owners, but I'd rather come across as witchy and save a glider from a home that is incapable of providing medical care than not say anything at all. Care Credit, as mentioned is another option, but that should also be IN HAND before you need it, and even then, some people aren't approved for it, which is why I again go back to a VET FUND.

Good post Alden, I'll be right behind you saying the same thing. I know the vet fund wasn't the purpose of the post, and it was more about having a vet lined up ahead of time (one that's open 24/7 or a clinic that sees gliders that is open 24/7), but so many times the line, "I can't afford it" comes along with the lack of having that vet already located.

Also, one last thing - if you don't have CONSISTENT reliable transportation, DO NOT GET GLIDERS. I can't take hearing, "I have to wait til morning when I can get a ride." Dude, if you can't easily get into a car, your own or someone else's, at 3am, GLIDERS ARE NOT FOR YOU.

OK, done with my rant.

angelic4296, well said.:) I don't take that as rude and nobody else should.
What you just said is the truth.

~Erica~

That would be awesome in a fairy tale world. Take from someone who knows the curves life throws you and things are not always black and white. I don't feel people should be judged by their account. Yep we live paycheck to paycheck it's not a choice and it's not a want but it's a reality. My kids are clothed fed,well cared for and the bills are paid. Do I get to go play a lot and have fun no but if I have emergencies we find ways to make it even without a savings account. So when can I expect some witchy person to ring my doorbell to pick up my gliders

I <i>had </i>an emergency vet fund and ended up blowing that out of the water.
It makes me wonder how many people would have stopped with treatments after $1000...or $2000...what about after $4000?

My emergency fund was $2000 and I went more than twice over it. For people without a saving/credit cards/ vet fund this wouldn't even have been an option. So I think it is fair to consider the consequences this could have on a living creature.


*edit: Casey survived, but it was a struggle emotionally and financially...what a different story it could have been if I had said 'no more, I can't afford it.'

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by tootles</i>
<br />That would be awesome in a fairy tale world. Take from someone who knows the curves life throws you and things are not always black and white. I don't feel people should be judged by their account. Yep we live paycheck to paycheck it's not a choice and it's not a want but it's a reality. My kids are clothed fed,well cared for and the bills are paid. Do I get to go play a lot and have fun no but if I have emergencies we find ways to make it even without a savings account. So when can I expect some witchy person to ring my doorbell to pick up my gliders
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Well said!!


I will put it out there as well....we do not have an "emergency vet fund" either. Does this make us bad suggie parents?? HELL NO!!!! Anyone that knows me and my abilities to take care of my gliders, know that I will find ways to pay for things. We also live paycheck to paycheck...does this make us bad suggie parents??? Again, I say HELL NO!!

Hell, I am so very observant of my gliders, I caught a mating wound, and I have one glider that has been on Prozac. My gliders want for nothing, are extremely well provided for.

Obviously, I am not a bad glider momma. Just because people don't have thousands and thousands of dollars lying around does not mean that they aren't capable of caring for gliders properly. My gliders are very well cared for, very healthy, and have great suggie parents.

To generalize everyone saying that since you don't have an emergency fund set up, you shouldn't own gliders is very ignorant. I understand that some new owners of gliders do not realize just how expensive owning gliders can be, and to be prepared for emergencies and the expense that those emergencies can incur. In my opinion, you should not lump everyone in the same group by stating that every responsible glider owner should have an emergency vet fund or not own gliders. So yeah, I think this statement is rude and a little uncalled for.

This thread was not about emergency vet funds.

It was about being prepared. It was about being ready for emergencies.

Obviously, if you have a plan of action, regardless of your finances, you are prepared.

My point was MAINLY to encourage people to FIND A VET before they need one. Find a NIGHT vet who sees gliders.

The pissing match about who has money, and who is rude, blah blah blah is what is uncalled for.

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by valkyriemome</i>
<br />Sugar gliders are nocturnal animals. You need to know and fully understand the concept of "nocturnal" <b>BEFORE</b> you bring one into your home.

We often say and read - "if you can't afford a vet, you can't afford the pet."

But what does that mean in terms of an exotic, nocturnal animal?

It means that 1) <b>you need to have an exotic vet on call</b>. An exotic vet whom you have confirmed will see sugar gliders. You need to know that <i>exotic vets are more expensive than "regular" vets</i>. You need to have that money set aside WAY in advance. You NEED to have a Vet Fund.

And 2) <b>Nocturnal animals get sick at night.</b> Your <b>PRIMARY</b> sugar glider vet needs to be an <i>exotic vet who has a 24-hour practice</i>. You need to have the money for an exotic vet who is also an emergency vet - you've now tripled your vet expenses - and you need to <b>have that vet number on hand.</b>

Like all "prey animals" sugar gliders mask their illness. They are very good at it. By the time you know your sugar glider is sick - you are more than likely hours away from death.

I said <b>"Hours away from death."</b>

I didn't say "Things look really bad." I said <i><b>DEATH</b></i>. I'm not being over-dramatic. I'm not being mean. I'm telling the truth. The truth is that when your sugar glider is sick and you notice it is sick, it is almost DEAD.

DO NOT come onto a forum - any forum - and ask for advice or help. You don't have time. <b>Go to the vet. NOW.</b> Remember? That 24-hour emergency/exotic vet you found in advance and have on call? Remember? The very expensive vet that you have a vet fund in advance to pay for. THAT vet. Call that vet, and go there.

If I see you on the forum, I'm going to "be mean" and tell you that your sugar glider is going to die. Because sometimes the truth is "mean."
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

But you did include money into all of this and having vet funds into all of this it's not just info on having a emergency vet it also says having funds that you set back in advance. And others comments about not having funds and such you should not have a glider got incorporated into your post. I'm just saying it got thrown out there and I for one thought the statements well suck. It's my opinion I'm entitled to it I just don't think because I don't have a vet fund makes me or anyone else less of an owner. Just my 2 cents

Alden, you did mention in your original post about NEEDING money set aside in a vet fund. I totally get your original post. But, the fact of the matter is it does not make a person a bad glider owner if they do not have a special fund set aside for vet expenses. Period.