We just picked up three new gliders yesterday.

These poor babies were not kept clean AT ALL. I wont even try to describe the nasty sticky build up on the cage, toys, pouches, ect. A lot of things got thrown away, everything else got a good scrubbing with very hot soapy water. My issue now is the babies. We have no idea how old any of them are, other than the odd one is about three years. I don't think they have ever been to the vet other than the male to be fixed, who knows how long ago. They all have an appointment the end of the week and to say I am more than concerned is an understatement. Their fur is filthy and cracked. They seem to be eating well, however, with three it is hard to tell who ate what. I did end up putting more papaya in their dish this morning because it was completely empty and when I took the bowl out just a bit ago, it was empty again. I do believe one of them had a runny bowel also.

When we got the first two about four months ago, they were very well cared for, balanced diet, clean... everything. I am not sure what I need to do to get these babies back to healthy. Will their fur repair as they eat better? Will they clean themselves up. I am already planning on changing their pouch daily until their fur is good. I feel ill every time I look at them because they look so bad. On the plus side, they all do get up and move around and play. Just very icky looking.

With a clean bill of health from vet (fecal/parisite check) and a change to proper diet they may take 2mo (quickest) up to months to get their fur looking nice......you should see improvement withing weeks!!!!

I think you are doing exactly what you should...getting them vet checked, getting them on a proper diet, and having a clean environment. They will clean themselves, and once they are not sleeping in a filthy environment it will be easy for them to keep clean. It shouldn't take long for you to see an improvement.

When I got my Fae and Ulalena they were pretty filthy too and had possible metal poisonning from the rusty cage they were in. They were eating kibble and craisins.

Within days I noticed that their appetites were good and their peep and poop smelt "better", not as pungent.

Fae died due to health complications and her low bone density, but Ulalena is getting better everyday. I've had her for a month and a half now.

Yesterday I saw her foraging for the first time. She is much more active and dextrous. She still doesn't stretch much, or spread her membrane, but she is getting better.

Now that she is in with my other three, her fur is nicer. It still has some cracks in it, but it is definitely much better than it was.

Getting your babies into a clean environment and giving them a good diet will help them to turn it around to. All they need is time to get better.

Good Luck.