I just got my babies on saturday. I left them alone and now while inspecting them they are missing there ears. one has ears and the other definately does not. What should I do? will there be any health issues with having no ears? Thanks Melyssa
Re: Need some info
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#423417 11/26/0702:46 PM11/26/0702:46 PM
No open wounds that I can tell, there are no ears at all. I am going to take them in the bathroom later and get pics to post. I am really upset about this, I love them already and dont know what to do. I dont want to return them and she doesnt have anymore joeys atm so I dont know if I should ask for some money back or not(I paid 500 for them)
Re: Need some info
[Re: USMom]
#423429 11/26/0703:01 PM11/26/0703:01 PM
Melyssa, did you look at the pic? Mites are the only thing I know that will eat a glider's ears gone...the pic is an in between stage...if left alone and not treated there will BE no ears left. That, however, doesn't mean they're gone, if she has them and she'll need treated. So probably will her cagemate. I'd recommend a vet. It's possible you may have to watch for infection, and clean them regularly as a side issue...unfortunately, the few who've had this have not ever reported back as to what happened or day to day care after the fact, so I'm not positive what all the lasting effects could be. Deafness if left untreated could be possible as well. A decent vet would be able to say. Returning would be up to you. I'd venture to say that most special needs gliders are special in more ways than just their physical condition, and no less lovable...in fact, usually more in need of that love than one without issues.
Last edited by Xfilefan; 11/26/0703:04 PM.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
I just got them saturday afternoon and was told to leave them be so I do not know if they had ears then. I got pics 2 weeks ago and both had ears. I will call around for a vet.
Xfilean: Is there anything that we could do to pervent this from happening. How do they get mites in the ears..I have three dogs and two gliders should I worry about this or is there something they sell to pervent it.thank you
Re: Need some info
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#423452 11/26/0703:46 PM11/26/0703:46 PM
Mites are what is known as a host or species specific parasite. We still don't know which animal it is that transfers these to gliders. Since gliders are not native here, it's unlikely to be completely compatible, but apparently enough it doesn't mind them. Stress or illness could send mites out of control even if they'd been on the glider a long time with no symptoms. Most meds are very harsh and not intended for a preventative for gliders. On the good side, I've only heard of 3 cases in the last 5 years, so this seems to be very, very rare. It starts as a black, dry, crumbling edge on the ears, and they just die and flake away to nothing if left untreated. I'd say the best prevention is to avoid any cross conatmination issues, and know what to look for in case it does come up...but it's really not likely the vast majority of gliders will even be exposed, let alone get them. The quicker the treatment, though, the less damage. It's probably not from dogs...tons of members have dogs and the gliders aren't affected. Same with cats. It's possible it's a type of bird mite (birds tend to have them a lot more often than other species as far as pets...mites are almost a given with birds) but that's uncertain. It could be from something else...lizards, some other exotic, it's hard to say until someone who does get them makes a report on exactly what they are and which host they came from.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley
I have a vet appointment tomorrow morning and I have emailed the breeder. the reason why I didnt notice this on saturday was, the breeder delivered them to me already in a pouch, she took the one with ears out and said i could hold it a few mins than to leave them alone, she than attached there pouch to my cage and left. I left them alone til this morning than I noticed the problem. Thanks for your help I will update tomorrow after the visit Melyssa
Re: Need some info
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#423487 11/26/0705:10 PM11/26/0705:10 PM
I have another question. Do twins tend to fight more than unrelated females? Also if twins were fighting would they sleep in the same pouch? If gliders were fighting to the extent of eating the others ears would there be any noise and would there be blood and other marks?
Thanks alot Melyssa
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#423686 11/26/0711:24 PM11/26/0711:24 PM
Melyssa, she is ADORABLE!!!!! She appears to be very young, how old did the breeder say she is?
I have no idea what's wrong with her poor ear, I'm sorry. No, twins wouldn't fight anymore than an unrelated pair. Have you seen or heard any fighting? How many pouches are in the cage?
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#423687 11/26/0711:25 PM11/26/0711:25 PM
I would definately seek a vets opinion. It doesn't look like damage from another glider. I would think that it is something like the mites that Jen (xfilefan) is talking about. Please let us know what the vet says, we really like to have as much information as possible about these little guys! I commend you for taking up the stick and running with it. I don't think that it is her cagemate, you don't need to seperate them.
Shawna Who are you networked with? Networking could save your gliders life. Create one now.
Re: Need some info
[Re: USMom]
#423703 11/26/0711:40 PM11/26/0711:40 PM
I have not seen any fighting I saw them running around maybe chasing each other but they were not biting or making any noise, is that fighting? and the only time I here crabbing is when me kids get a little loud or I put my hand near there pouch. They are in a 260g is that too big for them there is 3 no sew pouches I made and the pouch they came with. I think there about 7wks OOP. hope I got all the questions answered.
Melyssa
Re: Need some info
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#423710 11/26/0711:51 PM11/26/0711:51 PM
I agree with Shawna. You need a vets opinion. It doesn't sound like they have been fighting. You would know!
I only asked about the pouches because you wondered if they would sleep in the same pouch if they were fighting. All I know is that they probably would if there was only one pouch.
She has a precious little baby face!
Re: Need some info
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#423717 11/27/0712:00 AM11/27/0712:00 AM
I am no mite expert but I imagine it would take a while for mites to eat away the whole ear. That sounds very severe.
You mention that they had ears when you saw them 2 weeks ago. Are you certain the earless gliders you received are the same ones from the pics, or that you saw with ears before?
I only ask because it seems like mites or trauma due to fighting that occurred recently, within the past 2 weeks, seems like it would leave some sort of scarring, blood, etc. Maybe I just can't tell from the pics but it doesn't look like there are signs of recent trauma there? The sites where the ears were attached also look pretty symmetrical...it seems like if there was fighting or mites, wouldn't you expect them to be ragged or uneven?
Honestly my two cents is that almost looks like a birth defect or an injury that happened a while back.
I definitely agree though that a vet visit is in order...and depending on what your vet says, that breeder may have some explaining to do.
Re: Need some info
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#423720 11/27/0712:04 AM11/27/0712:04 AM
I dont know for sure that they are the same gliders. The breeder did say that they are and that I could match up the stripes if I wanted. There is no blood or scaring not even any redness. I will take them in the morning. Unfortunately the only option I have been given is to give them back and get 2 new ones when she has them available. I really do not want to give them back I am soooo attached already. I dont know what to do but I am taking them in the morning to the vets. Melyssa
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#423748 11/27/0712:27 AM11/27/0712:27 AM
I would love to hear what the vet says. So sorry you're having this experience.
Honestly, if you are super in love with them, depending on the news from the vet, you can always keep them! We found out after adopting my most recent glider that he is largely blind due to cataracts. I was rather devastated to find this out about him...I felt so bad for him! But we love the little guy, and he still gets around pretty well and seems happy. Maybe your ear-less gliders are very lucky you walked into their life as well!
That being said, depending on the vet news, you may have some tough questions for that breeder.
Did you pick them up from the breeder? Or were they shipped? Is this something that could have happened during shipping, or since the last time they were photographed and you saw them? Or did this for sure happen since you brought them home?
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#423751 11/27/0712:30 AM11/27/0712:30 AM
Melyssa, I don't think anyone has answered the question you keep asking,at least not directly, including me. I'm so sorry! No, they aren't fighting, what you are describing is normal playtime. I don't think you have any worries there. As you get more experienced with their noises, you will be able to tell what is good, bad, and get out of my face noises. I am saying this a lot lately, mostly because I keep having to do it. But...take a deep breath, let it out. Do it again. Your baby doesn't have ears. Mine doesn't have a tail (at least one doesn't). There are gliders here with missing limbs, blind, most of their teeth gone, etc...And while I know you paid for a pair of healthy babies, and didn't get them, it sure sounds like you are already in love with them. No ears is just a look, and I like her little hair tufts on the side of her head Besides, you'll never have trouble telling them apart! ((((HUG)))) to you and both of your babies! What are their names?
Shawna Who are you networked with? Networking could save your gliders life. Create one now.
Re: Need some info
[Re: USMom]
#423784 11/27/0712:55 AM11/27/0712:55 AM
You know, going back and re looking at those pictures, there is some yellow crust on one side, maybe an infection of some sort, I'm sure he'll check that, but if not, point it out to the vet. A good idea before you go, is get this post out, and a piece of paper and write down everything you need to ask or tell. It gets hectic and confusing at the vet. Also, write down what he tells you, so you'll remember.
Shawna Who are you networked with? Networking could save your gliders life. Create one now.
Re: Need some info
[Re: USMom]
#423804 11/27/0701:14 AM11/27/0701:14 AM
I have decided on kahlua(my no ears baby) and Rogue for her sister. Thanks so much for answering my question. I will post as soon as I get back from the vet. If there is a infection is there medicine I should make sure I get or dont get? I have never been to this vet but was told they deal with sugar gliders.
Melyssa
Re: Need some info
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#423808 11/27/0701:22 AM11/27/0701:22 AM
Oh, well, gee, I'm not the best one here for that! But Baytril or Flagyl are both good ones. If they have dealt with Sug's before they will have a good idea of what she'll need. I would suggest treating both of them, as infection spreads between them so easily, especially if they are stressed. Even if Rogue doesn't show any symptoms, she could be a carrier, and give it back to Kahlua.
Shawna Who are you networked with? Networking could save your gliders life. Create one now.
Re: Need some info
[Re: USMom]
#423828 11/27/0701:53 AM11/27/0701:53 AM
We are home from the vets and here is what she had to say. They are completly healthy no mites. her ears are completely healed. She said that it does look like trauma but that it had to of happened a while ago because its all healed. They weigh 41grams each. Is that a good weight for 7wk oops babies? My hands are very sore now because I was bit alot. I am glad that they are healthy but what should I do/say to the breeder. She had to have know (i would think). Kahlua is a little crabber and biter. Rogue is quiet and only bit a few times.
Melyssa
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#424080 11/27/0703:17 PM11/27/0703:17 PM
I'm glad to haar that your babies are very healthy and her ears are ok. Hopefully another breeder on here can give you the best advice on what to say to the breeder because I agree with you that the breeder had to have known about what happened. I'm just glad they are ok. Love the names and they are so adorable!!
Melissa & Aaron
Brat Pack Roxy, Eddie, Lily
Crabby Crew Brutus Theodore, Hugo Bug, Lulu
Akeesha, Orion & Niko
SFS Bella Belle
Re: Need some info
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#424084 11/27/0703:21 PM11/27/0703:21 PM
I am so glad you had them checked out and all is well!! First off this breeder should not have let these gliders go until they were at least 8wks old! But as that can not be undone now, my opinion would be to inform the breeder of what the vet said, and provide documentation of such. I would insisst that the breeder pay for the vet bill. I would not return the gliders, as it sounds like you will be a great owner for them, and I would not want the breeder to have them back. Obviously, this was unethical on the breeders part, and the reason you were told not to handle or mess with them. I would also consider asking for compensation due to the fact that she did not inform you that one of your gliders had an injury.
Thanks. before I went to the vet she said she would not pay for the vet visit. She said that basically a vet was charge for things that were not needed and that it would be a waste of money. I will contact her and see what she has to say. Melyssa
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#424117 11/27/0704:20 PM11/27/0704:20 PM