My daughter noticed a small bald spot about a quarter of an inch above our female gliders tail this evening. It is a spot about the size of a pencil eraser and I looked at it really good and there is no lump, redness, wound or any other explanation as to why the hair would be missing from this area. This is our first spring with them as we only rescued them about four months ago. Do they shed like other animals? Is this normal? Should I be concerned? She is acting perfectly normal and eating just fine.

Can you give a little more info please?
What size cage do you have?
What kind of wheel?
Does she have a cage mate?
What diet do you feed?
Do you have lots of toys and how much out of cage play time does she get?

Sorry if that seems like a lot!! It will help people help you better though!

quote:

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Originally posted by MamaBird

Can you give a little more info please?
What size cage do you have?
What kind of wheel?
Does she have a cage mate?
What diet do you feed?
Do you have lots of toys and how much out of cage play time does she get?

Sorry if that seems like a lot!! It will help people help you better though!

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Cage is a 32X37X21 Original cage from previous home.

There are two and they have been together for over a year in the same cage with the previous owners. They Ooped 11/11 and 2/12 male and female. Male is fixed.

They have two wheels, a sandpaper wheel and a raptor wheel. They get mixed and matched in and out of the cage.

They are spoiled and have TONS of toys that get changed out frequently. Including a ball pit, climbing ropes, bells and ladders, ect.

They are out generally for an hour each evening and then about three hours once or twice a week in their playpen with my daughter.

They get plenty of interaction and nothing has changed since my cousin got them about a year ago. (We adopted them from her about 4 months ago.)

Diet consists of 1/3 Gatorade 2/3 filtered water fresh daily. 1 protein(egg, chicken or baby food meats), 2 fresh veggies and 3 fresh fruits. A small pinch of glider vitamins and a small pinch of calcium. Plus 5 mealies a day per glider. Snacks consist of dried mango, papaya, coconut, yogurt bites, blueberries and plenty of apple tree branches to chew on. Occasional sugarcane sticks and rose hips. This is what they have been on since they were weaned.

Absolutely nothing has changed since we took them from my cousin. They have been to the vet about a week after we got them for a well check and she went over everything with us and seemed to be happy with their care.

Is your "sandpaper wheel" a Wodent wheel with out a tail guard or one that has a center bar?

It is a Wodent Wheel. It has the triangular base, it comes apart to put a regular plastic strip in. It has a solid bar and pieces together. It is suppose to be a safe, non pinch wheel. Just like these...
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Does it have a tail guard on it? I know they have them available for them now.

That would be my guess for the hair loss in that spot. It's not a likely spot for over grooming.

I had some hamster type wheels before I got the stealth and raptor wheels in their cage and my girl who is always in the wheel had the least plush tail,I attributed that to her wearing off the fur on her tail from excessive wheel use.

Ohhhhh... after much searching, I have found what you are talking about! NO! There is no guard on it. I am now removing it from the cage. I will have to order one because I am not chancing them hurting their tails! Thank you!

Not a biggie but plain water is fine. They really don't need Gatorade. Save yourself some $. I would just keep and eye on her tail. Might just be overgrooming.

You are awesome! Sounds like your gliders are lovingly spoiled!
Perhaps look at a different wheel? One without a center bar.
When I made the switch my babies were so happy. They leap and jump like they never could in a Wodent, plus I didn't have to worry about tail injuries.

quote:

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Originally posted by JeremyLexie

Not a biggie but plain water is fine. They really don't need Gatorade. Save yourself some $. I would just keep and eye on her tail. Might just be overgrooming.

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Mine won't drink out of the water bottle at all if there's no Gatorade or pedialite. I'm slowly diluting it out I've tried going two days and just hoped they would drink straight water but now I'm down to 1/10 gato and 9/10 bottle water but I only put a couple ounces in each bottle since I change everyday. It's saved me a lot!!!

They are VERY spoiled. lol The only reason I use the Wodent wheel is because the sand wheel keeps me from having to clip the nails. They also have sand tubes and we always keep one of those in the cage. That is currently their favorite sleeping spot! I just get so nervous clipping because I am scared I am going to hurt them.

There are sandpaper inserts for the Stealth and Raptor wheels for sure. (not sure about the custom cruisers or others).

Many people have commented about not likeing the Wodent wheels as much for the mess/smell they contain in the wheel.

In the Raptor and Stealth wheels they jump and hop more than they run so the bar in the middle really just hinders them.
Stealth wheel on the left, Raptor on the right. I only have the sand paper on the Stealth wheel.

we add a little apple juice to the water now and then. It's not an everyday thing though