Hey all, I'm about to be getting my first special needs baby next week. She is missing one of her legs from a pouch accident. From what I know of her, she had her leg amputated this past october and is still in the healing process. Her current owner said that she is still uneasy about walking and climbing but she is coming around. Any suggestions on what I can do with my cage to make things easier for her? My cage is 54"x32"x20". There is a whodent wheel, glider sized pillows, and 2 small tunnel pouches near the bottem as well as 2 sleeping pouches about half way up. Do you think having things closer to the bottom will help her? or should I keep everything like it is with my current gliders? I'm really excited to get my girls next Sunday!
Re: Getting my first special needs baby!
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#179491 12/02/0610:51 AM12/02/0610:51 AM
You're going to have to see how she's doing w/climbing before you'll know if you need to modify the cage much. If she seems unable to grip well, you may need to move a few things closer to the bottom until she gains strength and confidence. Hammocks are a great thing for special needs babies. They'll give them a soft landing in case of a fall. Falls are usually the biggest danger. You can make the hammocks or, if you're creatively-challenged like me, you can buy them at the pet store. I got mine in the ferret department. I also have a few of the wooden huts (like for hamsters) on the cage floor and I put fleece blankets in them to give my special needs girl plenty of places to sleep and be warm.
thanks for the reply. That should help me, I have a large hammock/sleeping pouch located right under the nest box in case she falls coming out of the house.
Re: Getting my first special needs baby!
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#179537 12/02/0612:26 PM12/02/0612:26 PM
HI, I have a little lady with 3 legs, she doesn't like the bottom of the cage and does wonderful getting around. She loves to groom herself by hanging from her remaining back leg, silly girl. I have lots of hammocks in her cage in case she needs a break and lots of hanging toys along with a wheel she uses all the time. She was a rescue who came with her cage mate and another joey who was about 6 months old along with 28 other gliders from a pet store that surrendered them to us. Many of the gliders had injuries from dangerous pouches. Not long after she arrived here we noticed she had twins in the pouch, I was very concerned as her health was just starting to imporve. She was almost completly bald and was just bones. Dad was neutered right after they got here to avoid this type of thing but it still happened. The twins, named by WSGN members, as Donnie and Marie are doing wonderfully, and are a month out of pouch now. The entire famliy lives together and gets along great. Mariah looks like a new girl, very sweet and preaty but I am still trying to get more weight on her. Hopefully her baby making days are over now, and she can just be the pampered mom I want her to be. Please let us know how she is doing when she arrives. I am here if you need me and you can also find me at WSGN. Angie
Re: Getting my first special needs baby!
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#179541 12/02/0612:34 PM12/02/0612:34 PM
thanks Angie! I read that story about the 31 gliders that got rescued..that is amazing. As soon as I get my house I cannot wait to build my babies a room where they can play all night and not have to be put back in their cages. I look forward to getting my little girl!
Re: Getting my first special needs baby!
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#181785 12/06/0606:35 PM12/06/0606:35 PM
Although I've never had a glider that was missing a leg, my Pika has some residual paralysis in her back legs from a bout with HLP a year ago & she is also blind due to cataracts. In her cage, I have a series of 3 hammocks. One that is half the size of the cage about 6" from the top of the cage. Another that is the full size of the cage about halfway down, and a 3rd that is actually at floor level so that if she falls she won't be injured by the bars on the cage floor. I've attached a picture for your reference. I made all of these hammocks using the No Sew Shelf Hammock method. They work very well and are easy to make. Good luck with your new girl. You're an angel to take her in
I have never had a special needs baby but I just wanted to say good luck with her and I commend you for taking her on. I am sure she will be a doll baby! I wish I could help you more with advice but I don't know any to give. Sorry!
Re: Getting my first special needs baby!
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#181939 12/06/0610:33 PM12/06/0610:33 PM
I've also got a tripod glider.....my little Carina Trey. She gets along awsome & doesn't seem to need any additional items in the cage. I do have ramps going down the cage from ledge to ledge to make it easier for her, but she never seems to use them. My boys who have all 4 feet but who are admittedly "fluffy" use them more than she does. Little Carina bounces everywhere like a little ping pong ball & climbs & runs as well as the boys do. She doesn't seem to realize that she is "disabled"
You may want to check out the thread I started for Amputee gliders I had alot of the same questions you've asked & got alot of good information on the subject.
Last edited by glidrz5; 12/06/0610:38 PM.
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Re: Getting my first special needs baby!
[Re: glidrz5]
#181952 12/06/0610:46 PM12/06/0610:46 PM
We also have a male glider who is missing a front leg, the Hope for Glider member who took him in did have to modify his cage a little but he gets around wonderfully now. He was one of the pet store gliders also, so many with problems who are now doing great. Juat a little love and TLC makes a world of difference. Angie
Re: Getting my first special needs baby!
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#182271 12/07/0612:47 PM12/07/0612:47 PM
Thats very exciting. I would lower everything because its easier espicially with the food. Itll be harder for her to climb if everything is higher up. Good luck with your special baby, what are you naming her? AnimalSanctuary
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Congrats! - I don't have a special needs glider, but like other animals, and even people, I would think that she would adjust, and you wouldn't have to change anything. However, like has been said, keep a close watch on her to see what she struggles with...