An unexpected financial fiasco has reared it's ugly head, and I fear I will not be able to neuter Enya before he has matured. I'm not prepared to be a glider grandma and I need to learn as much as I can to ensure that everyone is healthy and happy.

The previous owners both claimed they adopted from reputable breeders, but could give me no information about them (except what they looked like. they sounded different), so I have no way of knowing my gliders' linage. My vet has reassured me that they are too young to reproduce, as they are both 3 1/2- 4 months old, but I keep hearing what I believe is sex noises.

Should I separate them until I can neuter Enya?
Is it too late?
If it is too late, how do I prepare the cage for smaller ones??
Will they fight?


I REALLY need your help, I know I'm in over my head, but I want to make certain my babies are ok

They most definitely are not too young to mate. Males can mature as early as 12 weeks and females as early as 16. Believe me, it happens. It happened to me and it was one of the most stressful situations of my life.

If you don't want babies, I'd separate them as quickly as possible and keeps an eye out in the next few weeks for baby lumps (you aren't likely to catch the birth at 16 days). I've heard of males neutered as early as 8 weeks of age, so I'd get your boy fixed as soon as possible.

Really, so soon?! I need to see a different vet...
It's not that I wouldn't have the room or food (although right now, the vet bills are clearly going to be a stretch), but I have NO knowledge about glider reproduction and I don't want them getting hurt, or severing their bond, or any of the worst case scenarios that are running through my head...

I'm in a similar boat as you! When I got Sheldon I had the thought that I would neuter him at around 10 weeks. Penny is a month older so I thought that would be safe. My problem isn't financial, it's finding a vet who will neuter earlier than 6 months! I understand their concern but I had read so much about neutering early I didn't think it would be a problem. Now Sheldon is getting a teeny tiny greasy spot on his head so I'm guessing his scent gland is starting to "activate" and he is sniffing Penny's girlie parts! No way in a million years am I ready to be a glider g-ma either. Sheldon is almost 16 weeks OOP. I'm lucky that I live I'm an area where there are at least three glider vets nearby but none of them want to neuter before 6 months. Sheesh!

The problem isn't about havin the room or enough money to afford extra food for joeys, the issue is a 4 month old female becoming pregnant.

You need to either neuter your male in the next fortnight or split them up until he's neutered x

quote:

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Originally posted by Helen88uk

The problem isn't about havin the room or enough money to afford extra food for joeys, the issue is a 4 month old female becoming pregnant.

You need to either neuter your male in the next fortnight or split them up until he's neutered x

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Can you please expand on this? The kiddos are separated, but are staying next to each other, but I am still in the dark about what will happen if she is pregnant, what to expect, what I need to do. I gather that she being a young mother could be detrimental to her health, but I don't know how or what to look for.

It is advised not to breed a female until she's a year old. Since she is still growing it's not healthy for her to have joeys. Also, when a young female is prego it greatly increases the risk of her canabalizing or rejecting the joeys:)
I've heard many compare it to a 13 year old girl - just because she can physically have children at that age, it doesn't mean she should.
Hope that helps - and crossing fingers everything works out for you:)

Thank you!!
I'm researching signs of pregnancy right now, and trying to find people who have had young glider mothers to see what they needed to do to ensure everyone is ok. I tried calling my vet, but she refused to give me any info unless I brought her into the clinique to validate "If I actually need the information" 0.o I think she is worried that I would want to breed her, or that she doesn't believe she is at risk of pregnancy? I don't know...