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Posted by: zoomomI pretty much left Skooter alone today. I did sneak over to his cage a couple of times and made him come to the top of his pouch for a bite of grape or blueberry. He happily did that! To me, we were making progress. Then tonight, I got a couple of frozen peas, corn, carrots, green beans, some apple, banana, blueberry and grapes and brought him to my lap again while he was in his pouch. It didn't take him long to understand that I wasn't going to feed him while he was inside the bag, but he would get whatever he wanted after he got out of the bag and was sitting or lying on my lap. I have to remimd myself that all Skooter has ever eaten is catfood and apples. He went for the banana first. I had been warned that some gliders don't like bananas. Skooter sure does. He burried his little nose right in the middle of it. Then came the blueberry. While he was eating the blueberry with both hands, he looked up at me with those puddle of love eyes. We just stared at each other the whole time he ate. When he was finished with the contents of one piece of something, he'd push it away and look at me to get him another of something, which I did. I kept thinking about what he must have been feeling. All these flavors and textures and smells are new to SKooter. I bet he felt like it was sugar glider day at the grocery store. While watching him eat, I couldn't help but shed a tear or two. I'm so happy that he'll never be alone again and that we have someone else to love!!!!!!
People keep telling me to get another glider for company for him, but that may take awhile. You never hear of anyone having any around here. I'll have to begin an active search. I also need a much larger cage. That is going to take awhile also as I don't want to pay alot for a new one.
But for now, I have to gather all the ingredients to make his mixture food. Hopefully, I'll do that tomorrow.

Posted by: zoomomI got a 3 yr. old glider from a 16 year old kid who didn't spend the time with him that he should. His Mom talked him into giving it away. They took an add to my vets office where I saw it. I called the family at approx. 2 P.M., went to look at him at 5:30 P.M. and carried him into our house at 5:45 P.M. So, we have a new addition to our family and I couldn't be happier. I have always wanted a sugar glider, but they are very hard to find around here and when you do, they are very expensive. I believe in fate. I wasn't going to go by the vets office, but something told me to go get some extra medication for one of my dogs, and lo and behold, I saw the ad. The people that had the glider only live 1 block away from me. The boy knew my teenage daughter, which helped ease his mind that the glider would be taken care of.
I know he loved his glider, but unfortunatly no-one had taken the time to learn how to best take care of him. {For now, I'm calling him Skooter.} He came in a med. size Cockatiel cage that had a water bottle and 2 plastic food dishes. They had been feeding Skooter cat foot and 1/2 an apple every night. They had an electric reptile rock in one corner and a closed plastic index card box in the other corner. The lid on the box had a hole cut into it and that is where Skooter slept. He had a 6"toe end of a sock laying on the floor for him to get into, if he wanted. The cage was very bare and gave off a very cold feeling. Unfortunately, I don't think Skooter was held much. Maybe a little every couple of weeks or so, but the boy timid when I asked him to get him out and hold him for me. He didn't get him out, he just stroked him through his sock. I decided right there and then that Skooter had to come live with us. So, we have a new member of the family.
We brought him home and put his cage in the diningroom where it is fairly quiet. I had some fleece, so I made him a triangle hammock for one corner and made a quick pouch to tie to the wall so he would have two different places to sleep. I left the plastic index card box in there for tonight, but I did put some fleece inside of it. I left him alone until it was almost time for me to go to bed. Then around my bedtime, I wanted to see how close I could get to him. I reached inside his cage and found he was already in his pouch so I took that out onto my lap for "getting acquainted" time. After about 20 or so minutes, he was coming completely out of the bag to eat the 1/2 grape I was holding. Then I tried a blueberry and he took that from me, but stayed right on my lap while eating. I was able to pet him for about 30 min. of so and then he wanted back into his bag, so I let him and I put him back in his cage. I thought our first bonding time was successful. I was very pleased!! I left the cat food in one of his plastic containers but I put the apple and grape along with a little cut up turkey into another container. I'll see what's left in the morning. I am going to phase out the cat food.

Posted by: GoldwingerFirst my daughter's post on Luna's 1st tent time on 01/11/09:

Hi. I am Anita(Goldwinger's) 19 year old daughter, Kristin.Tonight, I decided to take Luna, the little girl sugar glider from my moms posts of "I know I shouldn't have But", into the tent that we have set up for the boy sugar gliders. I didn't know how it would go, seeing as she still isn't very friendly to us, and has NEVER been in any handling situation like that, at least that we know of. We decided that I should be the one to take her in there for the first time, since I am the one who has been hand feeding her the baby food with the straw for about the past week, and figured she might possibly respond better to me. When I took her pouch in there, I started by taking out her fleece blanket, and just sitting there. She was very nervous and unsure. Slowly she climbed out of the pouch onto her blanket. Finally, she was out. Then she found the empty tissue box. She was soooooo fixated on that box. haha. Then she began trying to jump on the sides of the tent. Since she has never been in there before, she didn't realize that there wasn't anything she could hold onto, and kept falling down. She eventually starting playing on the hanging ropes and the little ark boat that we have in there. And before we knew it she was running all over the place, and having a BLAST in there! She still is a little questioning of me, and all of us, but I was able to give her a few pets on her back whenever she would slow down and sit still long enough.(which wasn't often) LOL. And then, when we got her back in her pouch, and into her (CLEAN) cage, she immediately came out of her pouch, and started running around and playing with her new toys! Before she would only cling to the sides of her cage and look around, especially if we were in the room or anywhere in the surrounding room. But she just was hauling butt in the cage. It was SOOOOOO cute.

Hopefully this is something that will continue on, and improve. We are hoping very much that we will be able to introduce her to the boys and that will help show her that we aren't a threat to her. But as for right now, this step is ALOT more than we expected from her. It feels great, and we feel like we're actually doing what we're supposed to. I know, it's long......but we are so happy! LOL

So today Luna had her second tent time. She crawled all over my daughter and my husband played with her in there as well. She actually got in the wheel we have set up in there and she just ran and ran. She would get to going so fast that a few times she actually threw herself out of the wheel, did a sumersolt in the air and landed on her feet. She did this quite a few times. I think she figured out how to do it and started doing it on purpose. It's so wonderful seeing her come along. She still isn't eating much better but kristin continues to feed her baby food through a syringe, she gets a little Ensure every night and then we continue to put out her fruits/veggies and her BML mixture. I do have to say that she did take one night a few days ago and eat almost all her fruits and veggies but then last night did not touch them at all. I think this is progress that she is a least eating them some nights. I am so very proud of her as she seems to be working on her trust issue's and we are seeing progress with her. Baby steps and that's all you can ask.

Posted by: snusieOh yikes, I'm a day behind with everything! I had plans for Sunday, shot down by Rick. He wanted me to go with him to McGregor, to look at a truck he heard the dealer there had; supposed to be just like his that got wrecked. Well, it wasn't; not 4-wheel drive, and diesel; he doesn't want it. Then we went to Waco, to several dealers there; then to China Springs, to visit a friend of his from ten years back (I stayed in the yard and played with the dogs, it was a short visit); then to Lorena so he could talk to his first ex-wife; also got a bite to eat. He promised we'd be home by 1:00 and didn't make it back til almost five! It was a beautiful day to go truck shopping though, and all the dealerships were closed so you could just go look.

Monday I cleaned cages. I couldn't believe I'd let them get so sticky! I even gathered up jingle balls and monkeys and washed those. I'd bought a bolt-end of fleece from Walmart for about $2, it was just the right size to make two floor fleeces -- they fit perfectly. So now I have three for each cage. I like that, I can change them out more often.

I held Shikoni for most of the morning before I started cleaning. He's been such a good little guy, he doesn't fight the medicine any more so it goes a lot quicker. When I started cleaning I gave his pouch to Mama and she held him for about an hour; she said she could feel him moving around, so he wasn't asleep but seemed to be very content. By then his cage was done. I closed Washi and Kioko's pouch and gave them to her to hold; she was sewing, and every time she moved Kioko yelled at her, so I put them on the chair while I finished. Then I kept them under my shirt for most of the afternoon, til I started cooking.

I made cordon bleu out of thick pork tenderloin slices -- boy was that good! Had a thinner slice also that I cooked for the guys; it was too thin to stuff. They love the tenderloin! So do I. Gave the three of them half of it, so there's plenty for another day. Also green beans and kiwi. Shikoni still isn't eating everything, but getting a little more every day. He's done with the antibiotic on Thursday; there will be an awful lot left. I hate to throw it away, but you can't keep it. I'll call Dr. Gosney's office to make sure it's for ten days and not till the bottle's empty -- that would be a month and a half!!! Surely not!

Have to figure out how to get Shikoni to eat nopalitos - prickly pears, very high in calcium. I can't put them into an omelet because Shikoni doesn't particularly like eggs however I cook them. He's the fussiest of the three; Washi eats anything he can get his little hands on. Kioko does too, but not as greedily.

Posted by: stepakapets101My little skittles is in heat! (it started on the 10th) well tecnically she isnt in heat anymore but the male did mate with her!

im so excited! if she has a second joey im going to be really excited!
Im probably going to get by male fixed after this though because I dont want her to be "over bred" and I have herd that every joey she has takes 6 months off her life!

well I will post updates on her and if two baby bumps form I will post some pictures!!!

Posted by: snusieHaven't posted in a while, still not much new to record.

Still giving Shikoni his medicine, though I've changed the timing of it. Instead of .01 three times a day, I'm giving him .015 twice a day. It works a lot better for both of us. I had been giving him the amoxy when I get home, about 4:30 - 5:00; then at midnight, and again before I leave for work: about 4:30 0 5:00 a.m. I was really hard for me to get up at midnight and still get up in the morning, and he really hates the syringe thing. So now I give it to him when I get home and again just before I get ready for work. The important thing is that he keeps the antibiotic in his system, and that it's given regularly, and that the daily dose is correct. His appetite is still not completely back to normal, he usually eats all his meat and just a little fruit, most of the veg. I'm not giving him the full meal yet, not until I see a clean bowl two days in a row. He's not really fond of the Nutrical either, but I make sure he gets some every day, a couple of CCs anyway. He's much more energetic, and still loves his bugs: crickets this morning, yum yum! His droppings are a little soft and dark, probably a side effect from the Amoxy. Definitely not diarrhea.

Another problem with this whole thing is that he's starting to associate me with the syringes. That's perfectly natural, of course. I'm trying to mix it up, give him playtime before and after the medicine. That seems to be helping, though he really doesn't like the kitchen now, since that's where I take him for the dosing. I sure don't want him to associate the syringes with the bathroom, since that's where we play most often.

Kioko and Washi are fine health-wise. I haven't spent as much time with them this week as usual. They are starting to get on my hand when I open the cage, and they let me pet them, both in and out of the pouch. I haven't been able to do playtime with them; early morning is taken up with Shikoni and it's been shorter than usual due to having to get up in the middle of the night. But I've got their pouch on my lap right now. There was just a little but of fussing from Kioko, Washi of course let me pet him. I'll keep them with me all day.

I've taken Rita's advice (of course!) and I'm giving them treats in the syringe. They really like the Nutrical; I've also given them guava juice (diluted) and applesauce.

I really need to get a tent! I've got to get them all three together first, since the second cage is in the only space I have for setting one up. Delays, delays, delays ... and ... patience, patience, patience! It'll happen one day.

Posted by: kramer09i just got two gliders and they are awesome but one of them keeps trying to eat me. he doesnt do it agressively its more like he thinks im food but he bites hard how do i fix this

Posted by: kazkoI cleaned out the mealworms today. My process is to filter all of the worms from the frass and then dump them all into my old beetle drawer and then create a new clean drawer to move all the beetles into. So right now on webcam my beetle drawer looks super clean and empty but that will change quickly.

Just Cleaned


LIVE BEETLE DRAWER CAM


I'd like to find some better way to manage my mealworm farm. For instance, I can let the beetles hatch with the worms, they can mill around and feed and mate, but then they climb a ladder to go up into the hatchery to lay eggs. As they hatch up there, the small worms will fall through the mesh grate and into their feeding ground. The goal is to separate the hatchery from the feeding area to prevent worms from going up to the eggs so they cannot eat them.

I'll never build this but I should.

Posted by: snusieShikoni's feeling so much better! He still doesn't want to play, but at least he's not lethargic today. Also, he ate all his dinner; I gave him about a teaspoon each of ground turkey, papaya and collard greens, and some diluted V-8 Fusion. All gone this morning, that's such a good sign! I had a hard time getting him out of his nest though, I took it out of the cage until this medicine thing is over. Can't be luring him with a mealie three times a day, that's just too many mealies for someone who's sick. At least I think so.

Washi and Kioko are feeling fine, I'm watching them closely to be sure. I don't know how I would medicate either one of them if I had to, they aren't nearly as easy to handle as Shikoni. I'll use Rita's idea of giving them juice in the syringe so they associate it with treats; that'll surely help. And if they do get sick I have that third cage if necessary, it's so small but it would have to do. I have plenty of pouches, hammocks and toys, even three wheels: the one they came with is about eight inches, really small for a glider. And two water bottles. Actually, I'm better prepared than I thought. That's what comes of being a pack rat!

I had planned on continuing with the introduction process this weekend. It'll have to wait now, but that's okay. For me it's an exercise in patience, and I guess it gives them more time to get past the feeling of being threatened by each other. They've been barking again today, hope that's a good sign.

Posted by: madd4m0neyIDK wheater 2 keep all of my suggies baby suggies or not. I alweese say I will give them away but whenever there eyes open I just melt in their hands. THEY R SO CUTE I can't bare 2 give them away! We will neuture all the males and keep them in the same cage as the females if nessacarry. IDK if the choice is right though.

Posted by: snusieShikoni's sick! His appetite has been sporadic for the last several days, but Saturday night he ate only a little ground beef; and I had given them pomegranate which he loves; then last night he barely touched his chicken, and completely ignored the apple and vegetables. I had given him some V-8 Fusion and he pretty well left that too. Sunday morning playtime, he was very lively, scampering around; but didn't want to play at all. This morning when I saw the bowl and especially the V-8, I got him out with a mealie - he will always go for a mealie - and did the dehydration test. That was OK. Then I looked him over, he looked okay but seemed to have no energy. He'd get out of the pouch, walk around on me a little, then back into the pouch. Not at all like him!

I really think this screwy weather has something to do with it. This winter it's been all topsy-turvy, last Saturday 83 degrees; today it hasn't budged above 35. Every week we have those extremes, it makes me crazy.

At 8:00 I called Dr. Gosney's office. They said to bring him right in, so I changed clothes, put a large fleece into my zip-up straw carrier; tucked a bottle half full of warm water in it to keep him warm, and went to town. Dr. Gosney checked him out, determined that there is a little congestion in his lungs. No fever, eyes bright, fur shiny and plush, so "just a little respiratory infection." He gave me amoxycillin, showed me much to give him (two cc's); also Nutrical for the interim, until he starts eating again. He put some Nutrical in a syringe to show me how to administer the medicine, and the little guy just licked it up. Dr. Gosney said they like it, and that it will provide all the nutrients he needs except water. I'm not so sure about that statement, but I didn't challenge it; I'll still offer the fruits and vegetables and meat, but probably not as much until he's feeling better. Total charge $79.30; not too bad. In and out in less than twenty minutes, the car was still warm; and the water bottle was also still warm when we got home.

At least he had the consideration to get sick on my weekend, when the vet's open and I don't have to call in to work. They barely understand about a sick child, much less a pet, the Philistines!

When we got home I gave him his first dose of the antibiotic. He likes it too! And then just a little more Nutrical, and then put him to bed. He climbed out of the pouch and into his tunnel and he's sleeping now.

Washi and Kioko seem to be doing just fine. They are little rascals! I took them into the bathroom this morning with the big flashlight and a bottlebrush flower; it took them about five minutes to come out of the pouch, and Washi attacked the flower while Kioko ran around. Then Kioko came to the flower, I got a couple of pics of them; Washi went under the sink, Kioko tried to climb the wall; they were just all over the place. They played for about fifteen minutes while I sat still as I could; they startle if I move. When they went back into the pouch I took them home. They ate all their dinner last night, it was a good one: chicken and mixed vegetables roasted with rosemary, two very small pieces of potato roasted in the same packet; and sliced apple. Today I'm making chili with ground turkey, so I'll set aside some of that for the little ones, with green beans and papaya.

Sure hope my little sweetie gets better soon! He's such a delight, I hate to see him feeling poorly.

Posted by: tishaWell it's back to reality for me. I've been on my 2 week vacation from work and today is my first day back. I can't say I'm very happy to be here but I AM ready to get paid thursday!! Only 340ish days until my next 2 week break!! It's been a wonderful 2 weeks full of staying up late, sleeping in until almost noon, and doing a whole lot of NOTHING!! But...today is my wake up call..literally. Time to get back to the world of work and school and quit pretending that I never have to go back!!

After work today I've got to go to my school and figure out this financial aid thing. (If you don't know the story you can find my rant about it under the general chat forum). Anyway, I don't know what I'm going to do if they still deny me financial aid...I will probably have to drop out. Hopefully they will tell me that the criteria is different at a University so I can just transfer. I just need to find something out soon because class starts in 15 days...I'm tired of stressing out about this school crap..

Then AFTER I get done at the school I've got to hurry home and call around some vets to see who treats sugar gliders in my area and who has an emergency number. I just want to have these numbers on hand in case anything ever happens. So hopefully I won't be at school for too long today otherwise I may have to call around vets tomorrow after work.

Please wish me a LOT of luck with my financial aid situation and with finding some more vets.

(PS I already know of one vet that treats sugar gliders...I am just looking for an emergency vet to have on-hand)

 

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