I want to document what my husband and I have experienced over the last week or so, so that others with similar situations can learn and lessen the panic of a glider emergency.

Day 1: Aki, our 8 year old sugar glider, got her little front right hand stuck in her pouch from a loose string. We found her in within hours, but the hand was swollen and red. We set up a hospital cage and began nursing her back to health while keeping a close eye on the hurt hand.

First lesson: all the warnings about seams in pouches are absolutely correct, and never use them!

Day 2: Aki spent most of her day in her travel pouch on my chest. That evening, the hand was looking better; that is, until she began to self mutilate. My husband and I heard the sound and something that I can only describe as crunching. She had essentially bitten off three of her fingers within 2 minutes. We distracted her while I franticly looked up how to build an e collar, which we did in about 20 minutes. (the e collar template is available in the Emergency Self-Mutilators section) We got the e collar on her, which she had never before worn. The horrible way in which she reacted to the e collar can be just as traumatic as self-mutilating, so those new to e collars: be warned! It’s ok; within 16 hours she was grumpy, but ok with the collar.

Second Lesson: E collars are not easy to put on, and your sugar glider will most likely hate it (until they get used to it). A lot of people do “practice runs” of e collars, and that’s probably not a bad idea. However, the trauma that your sugar glider seems to be going through with the collar on is not easy to watch. (hint: don’t put them at the bottom of a cage with bedding: it gets scooped up in the cone!)

Third Lesson: Self-mutilation is a real concern; her hand would most likely have been fine had she not bitten her little fingers. If we had only anticipated how quickly something like this could happen!

Day 3: We handfed Aki since eating out of a dish was not possible, and we took a look at the foot: not good. We called our glider-friendly vet and got her in that afternoon. We took her out of her e collar and she no longer bit at her hand, but the damage had already been done. The vet amputated her little arm just below the elbow, and we took her home that night.

Fourth Lesson: facing possible amputation was heartbreaking, but so much better than any possible alternative. Don't hesitate to get professional help!

A week later, she’s doing just fine, no biting of her stitches (although we’re ready for action the second we hear anything strange!) Her hospital cage is great, and before we transfer her back to her original cage, we have some hammocks set up in the lower part to catch her, a new bed of pure fleece, no strings, and lots and lots of love. We also have set up an emergency glider kit for the next time something unforeseeable happens.

What we did wasn't perfect, but it should be documented so that others can benefit. Without the help of these forums, Aki could have been in much much worse shape, so my heartfelt THANKS to all of you!

Oh, I am sorry you had to go through that. Thanks for posting so others can learn from it. What kind of pouch did she have?

Aki had a homemade fleece pouch that I had made a long time ago. basically a hanging pocket, open-topped. I had double-sewn the seam so that raw edges were hidden, but clearly, that didn't seem to be any safer )c:

Was it a "single layer" pouch (one layer of fleece with seams on the inside)? I am only asking for educational purposes.

How is your girl getting around now with 3 feet? I am sure she will adapt well.

Yep! Single layer, plus "stuffing" pieces of fleece in the inside for warmth

She's doing great! She climbs around as if nothing is wrong. The only thing we noticed is that it took her about a day to regain her balance, but her appetite is ravenous as usual, and the medications are even being taken well (antibiotic and pain meds). I've made her a new purple pouch by tying knots for "seams", and she seems to love it so far.

Oh, I am glad she's adapted well.

BTW, the e-collar is not actually listed in the emergency section but is mentioned and can be found in this gliderCENTRAL thread .

I am so sorry you had to go through all that. I am glad that she is getting better and I hope she continues to do so.

There are a lot of gliders out there with amputations and she should adapt well.

Good thoughts and prayers coming your way.

Anytime a glider experiences an injury of any kind they need to be put in an e collar immediately! They are quick and as noted here damage can be done in minutes. So PLEASE have an e collar in your emergency kit BEFORE you need it so as not to waste time when you need it. Head the warning given by RiKiTiKiNiKi and be prepared.
Sorry to hear about your troubles but know that you did all you could at the time. Your Aki will adapt to 3 legs, I know I also had a glider lose a foot and he acts as if he never had it he flies all over the cage and plays normally. Do keep a close eye on her to make sure she is healing correctly and isn't getting infected or any thing. Hugs and prayers gliding your way.

OMG I am so sorry to hear about your traumatic experience!

Thanks for posting this, we are getting our first pair of gliders on July 11th and I really want to be ready. Where exactly can I find a post or directions on what I need to have in an emergency glider kit?

We have already located two vets that can see them within a reasonable distance, so I am happy with that. Also, is there a "proper pouch" guide?

Thank you for sharing your story! I am still so sorry to hear this happened to your baby

Thank you for posting the link to the emergency kit! I desperately need an e-collar and they have them for sale there. I never thought of having a kit, now that I have a special needs glider I realize how important it would be to have. Thanks Again!

I sell glider first aid kits and supplies on my site.

www.sugarglidertoys.webs.com

Sorry you had to go through that!

What else would you all recommend be in an emergency kit! My babies are coming home in 3 weeks and the emergency kit is the last thing I have to do to be ready! (I think...) The more I read the more I find!!

Click on the word emergency kit and it will take you to a list along with what each item is used for. At the end there are links where you can purchase them as well.

Thanks!! I found the list after i posted that response!! I should've looked first!!

Thanks!! I found the list after i posted that response!! I should've looked first!!