I woke up this morning to hear the sounds of glider screams!( crab and scream sound at the same time) When I went to the cage I saw my gliders ( 2) stuggling for dear life. Each had a head out of the holes in my wodent wheel biting , yelling and the most pain I have ever seen them in . I first thought the wheel might have came undone from seams and they got their claws caught in it, but that was'nt the case. After having them bite me repeatingly, while trying to get their wheel apart, I finally found the problem. There tails were caught around the shaft the wheel( metal it spins on)has. I think the were in there running real fast and one fliped to one side of the wheel , and the other to the oppisite side had there tails tangled together and now rapped about 3 full revolutions around the shaft. They were in basically a knot around the shaft , I literally had to slider the tails off the shaft to " untangle them. I know this is not the best discription, but the only way I can discribe what I saw. Now they hold there tails limp,at the tips, kind of cock eyed. I have scheduled ex-rays. This wheel was the WODENT brand and supposed to be safe. Please tell me what I can do to prevent this ,I really don't want to take away the use of the wheel because they love it, but I don't want to hurt them, Sloharleys <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nopity.gif" alt="" />
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39955 03/15/0503:51 PM03/15/0503:51 PM
OMGoodness!!! How terrifying for you all!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />
I'm so glad you were home to hear them and save them!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />
I don't personally know of any adjustments you can make to the WW so it won't happen again, but perhaps someone will. I've not heard of it happening with WW's before.
I think I'll be putting 5 more Stealth's on my wish list.
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please read
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#39956 03/15/0503:52 PM03/15/0503:52 PM
Oh my!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I'm so sorry I am glad they are okay. You've got to buy a Stealth Wheel, they are the BEST and everyone will agree with me on that one. www.sugaraesattic.com. VERY safe, and gliders LOVE them. Throw that WW out in the garbage if ya ask me. Poor babies. Good thing you found them in time!!!
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please read
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#39957 03/15/0503:53 PM03/15/0503:53 PM
That's so scary! I'm glad you got there in time to help the poor little ones.
I agree that you should get a Stealth. I have two, and I just ordered some more about 5 minutes ago! They're AWESOME <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" />
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39960 03/15/0504:17 PM03/15/0504:17 PM
That had to be terrifying for you. Whomever you bought the Wodent Wheel from, you may want them to know this incident happened, just so they have the choice to continue carrying them or not. They may however, request something in writting (a letter from the vet) stating this is in fact what took place. Not to say they do not believe you, but the wodent wheel is a very popular glider wheel and without concrete proof, people may not be so easy to stop selling them because of a said story.
I agree with Natalie, I have never heard of this happening before with the wodent wheel, but there is always a first in all things.
Please keep us updated on your babies. Thank God you were there.
Wow, I have two wodent wheels. You know, I posted a while back about a knot on Clara's tail that seemed like she had injured herself and I couldn't figure out what it was from. I'm definately going to look into the stealth wheels. Thank you so much for your post, I hope your babies are okay!!
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39962 03/15/0505:32 PM03/15/0505:32 PM
OMGoodness...how scary! Please keep us updated on your babies. I'm so sorry this happened. It's even more of a shock when it's something that is touted to be safe for gliders. I'd also suggest that you give the Stealth wheels a try. Again, I'm so sorry this happened to your wee ones. Give them kisses from me and my kiddos.
I have never tried a WW. I had comfort wheels but they have a center shaft too and they are noisy so I ordered two Stealths. I love them! So I tried to follow Tom's (thavens) directions on a stealth clone and it works great. If I was not able to make my own now, I would have already ordered more real Stealths.
620-704-9109 Judge not until you have walked in their shoes and lived their lives. What you see online is only part of the story.
I could have missed the pain But I'd of had to miss the dance
The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears.
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39964 03/15/0508:46 PM03/15/0508:46 PM
Oh no!! We just ordered our wodent wheel today!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" /> I think I'll have to look into the stealth wheel like everyone has recommended. We went with the wodent wheel to get the nail-o-matic since I'm not comfortable trimming their nails yet. Keep us posted on the x-ray results... I'll definetely be watching them closely!
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39965 03/15/0509:26 PM03/15/0509:26 PM
I really thank all of you for your concern. I was the biggest fan of the wodent wheel until this. I had hooked up the bicycle computer to it and was tracking there nightly movements. I wish I could keep it because it is very safe for there feet. I am not trying to discourage the purchasing of these wheels, but I assure you that these little girls were caught in the wheel by their tales, and probably about a couple of seconds from chewing there tales off. I have never seen anything so dramatic as these girls thrashing, and biting , crabbing, all at once. There tails seem o.k. from the x-rays, but they are missing a little hair and are sore. They are so tramatized, that they crab at me now. they have never done this before. I can't even touch there pouch without crabbing. They are acting as if I had something do do with it, probably because it took me so long to pop out that pin , and they were right there biting and thrashing. I will go out and buy a new wheel tonight. thanks again for your concern, gliderJUNCTION
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39966 03/15/0509:34 PM03/15/0509:34 PM
My wheel is the 11 inch is that the problem? I just hate to discourage a product recognized as safe. I truely am looking to get to the bottom of how this happened. I only got to see there tales caught up , but really have no clue, only speculations as to how this could have happened. I formed my theory because of their positions and their tale placements once I got to them. I really would like some feedback if anyone else including vets have heard of any thing like this. I will note for this to occur it would take 2 gliders in my situation because of the way there tales were wrapped. ( one over the other, each tangled in opisite directions)thanks gliderJunction
Wodent Wheel Problem!!
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#39967 03/16/0504:02 AM03/16/0504:02 AM
[:"blue"] This kind of accident has been reported before; but is very rare. I only remember seeing two or three incidents being reported. I think all of the previous incidents involved only a single glider. Also was reported as a problem with the Rowdy Roo wheels that had "through-the-wheel" axles. Rowdy started putting a protective plastic sleeve on his axles to prevent the problem so that even if the gliders somehow got their tails tangled in the sleeve, they couldn't get twisted around the axle because the sleeve would spin on the axle. I seem to remember that this problem was reported to the manufacturer of the Wodent Wheel and they were going to add some sort of protective sleeve to their wheels as well. Whether they did or not, I can't say. Maybe Sheila or some other Wodent seller can tell us if the current WWs have such a safety device installed???
A question for GliderJunction.....is your wheel relatively new or have you had it for several years?? Maybe you have the old design.
If you have the old design, you could correct the problem by getting a plastic soda straw and cutting a piece just long enough to fit on the axle between the two disks of the Wodent Wheel. The section of straw should be long enough so that it extends completely from one of the brass grommets to the other with no gap between the ends of straw and the grommets. However, the fit should not be so tight that the straw won't spin freely on the axle when the wheel, itself is stationary. If the gliders chew on the straw, you will have to visit your hardware store and get a piece if brass tubing about the same size as the straw and and make a protective sleeve out of it.
Hope this isn't too confusing to everyone. If you have questions, pose them here or email me and I'll do my best to help you out!!! [/]
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39968 03/16/0506:41 AM03/16/0506:41 AM
I have had this happen in a small wodent wheel with a glider that had a particularly large tail. He was in with a baby and it was the baby's first or second time out. What I figured is the baby got underneath him and he went over her head and around. It was three years ago and has never happened since. The tail was crooked afterwards, but the next day went back to normal. If I have more than one glider in a cage, I use the large wheel. If not, I use an open wheel, which some do not agree is safe, but I have 26 cages and about 6 of those have open wire wheels and have never had a problem. Randy, I cannot tell by your description what you mean, but a wheel like Anita's is better because the wheel itself is larger. Physics will tell you it is less of a chance of getting caught. I know I sell hundreds of ww a year and never hear anything back, so I feel as if this is a rareity and am sorry it did happen to you. Most of my gliders go in their wheel one at a time. I guess they have learned there is not enough space for two. Also, sometimes this could happen if they are breeding and try to run. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Is the info on the stealth clone available to the public? If so, I would love to learn how to make them.
I am so sorry to hear about your glider's, but thank you for this post. The newbies (including me) really need to be armed with as much info as possible.
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39970 03/16/0507:20 AM03/16/0507:20 AM
I will be getting a new wheel as well, I posted a while back that I woke up to the wheel spinning and thuds. One of the gliders was running and the other with her head out. every time she went around she was hitting the stand. I stopped them and ten min later was doing it again. Its not like they don't have two wheels in the cage duh. But if she wasn't smart enough not to put her head in, than why should be smart enough to go to the other wheel LOL. I think eliminating the shaft in the middle would be great, thats were the stealth wheel comes in!!!
Last edited by gliderdad79; 03/16/0507:23 AM.
Eddie
In the Tropics somewhere between the port of indecision and southeast of disorder!
"Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people."
One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" />regardless of how rare it is I have never hard of it happening and just hereing it once I am going to get rid of my WW...I am so glad the you posted this horror story I think it will save a lot of gliders... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crying.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug2.gif" alt="" />
[:"blue"] OK, Eddie......I assumed that was the case; but wanted to be sure. However, now I am really puzzled??? Unless the WW folks have changed the design of the wheels, there is no way I can envision that a glider could "thump" his head against the stand unless the wheel were mounted on the stand backward?? The wheel is supposed to be mounted so that the solid disk is closest to the vertical section of the stand. I don't see how the gliders could be bumping their heads.....what am I missing??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" /> [/]
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39976 03/16/0506:41 PM03/16/0506:41 PM
I know what they mean about the glider bumping her head, mine has almost done it one. Stitch will get in the WW and get going, then Skittles climbs in and sticks her head back out. Skittles is smaller than Stitch, so Stitch's weight can cause the wheel to move, which causes Skittles to stick her head out farther and in the proess, almost bump her head.
Ya know, I don't think that helped at all. Sorry.
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39978 03/17/0501:04 AM03/17/0501:04 AM
I think your right about the wodent wheel being put together backwards with the shaft facing the holes, Randy I want to personally thank you for the info on how to protect my WW. I am glad my post as enlightened some as to the dangers of certain wheels, and at the same time figuring out a solution to the problem : ie the straw, thanks Randy, and everyone for their concern, gliderJUnction
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39979 03/17/0502:25 AM03/17/0502:25 AM
Randy,on the stand, the v part of the stand coming out, thats were she would hit her head. That part sticks out past the front of the wheel a little and at most only a inch away from the bottom of the wheel. I will attach a pic!! With her sticking out a litte looking down, it is possible to hit there heads!!! There really is only one way to put the stand on. But yes you can flip the wheel with the holes facing away. Which would be hard for the gliders to get into the wheel since it is attached to the cage and would not give them enough room to squeeze between the cage bars and the wheel!!
Last edited by gliderdad79; 03/17/0502:36 AM.
Eddie
In the Tropics somewhere between the port of indecision and southeast of disorder!
"Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people."
One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching!
Wodent Wheel Problem!!
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#39980 03/17/0502:49 AM03/17/0502:49 AM
[:"blue"] I sent an email to Eric at Transoniq(maker of the Wodent Wheel) and apparently due to a fuzzy memory, I attributed something to them that is not correct. Eric informs me that they did investigate the problem of gliders catching their tails and decided it was such a rare/freak occurrence that it didn't warrant any change in the design or construction of their product. They did post a comment on their web site to address the issue. I don't know if the comment is still on their web site; but Eric provider me with the text of the message which is as follows: [/] "...A couple times over the years we've heard of sugar gliders "getting their tails caught" by the axle of a wheel. At first thought this sounds fairly impossible - after all, the axle isn't spinning; it's stationary relative to the cage (and the glider), it's the wheel that's the only thing spinning. If the glider is running along in a "conventional" mode, this is true and all is well in the world. However, if the glider likes to stop short and do a loop-the-loop while the wheel spins on - while at the same time grabbing the axle with his tail, he could be setting himself up for a good tail-yanking if the axle is allowed to get all sticky and gunky. This appears to be a pretty rare situation, but the best protection against it is simply keeping that axle clean. Having a thin sheen of baby oil on it is generally a good idea and also helps to lubricate things and prevent rusting. Another suggestion is that covering the axle with a freely-rotating plastic tube, such as a short piece of a large soda straw, will also prevent this. (If your guy likes to jump up and perch on the axle, this could make that kinda tricky.) Again, letting everything get gunky will defeat the suggestions - it's always good to keep things clean....."
[:"blue"]My prior suggestion that a safety modification was going to be made to the Wodent Wheel by the manufacturer was in error and I apologize for misstating the facts. [/]
Wodent Wheel Problem!!
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#39981 03/17/0502:58 AM03/17/0502:58 AM
[:"blue"] OK....I see now Eddie. I have my WW hanging from the roof of the cage so I never had the problem; but I can see the difficulty. Just goes to support the commonly held contention that there are other wheels better suited to gliders!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" /> [/]
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39982 03/17/0503:20 AM03/17/0503:20 AM
No problem Randy, I can't hang mine from the roof!!! Thats what we are all here for. To learn more and help others. Thank you for your help with this!!!
Eddie
In the Tropics somewhere between the port of indecision and southeast of disorder!
"Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people."
One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching!
Re: Wheel almost took gliders tails off!! please
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#39983 03/17/0511:02 AM03/17/0511:02 AM
I'll put another set of two thumbs up for the stealth wheel. I have a stealth wheel senior, a flex wheel, and a wodent wheel. Both are great. I would get rid of the WW except one of my glider prefers that wheel and won't run in either stealth wheel. This is frustrating for two reasons; first because I would be taking away Spice's main exercise activity, and second because Sugar, who runs primarily in the stealth wheels, tries to jump when she runs in the wodent wheel. I think I will take it out and see if Spice plays in the bigger wheel if she has no other option. I don't want them to get hurt.