hi crisi...

this is the worst nightmare we all imagine, and can't, i am so sorry for you and your family and your little critters <img border="0" alt="" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> how very heartbreaking <img border="0" alt="" title="" src="graemlins/exclamation.gif" />
you have a lot of support here, and i hope it is some comfort for you.
thinking of you, and praying for your little girl to make it somehow...

Crisi,
I am so so sorry for your loss. I started crying just reading your story, and I don't even have a glider yet. I'm such animal lover that my heart just goes out to you. Just know that it wasn't your fault, and at least your babies knew love and kindness while they were with you. I'll keep you in my prayers.

My boyfriend made the cage and one section of the wood was the type of wood used on roofs. The compressed shredded stuff like mulch. That was the only place that they chewed. It was not MDF however, I never thought about the chemicals in that. My grandpa said a glue or something is used to compress the wood and that is probably what it was. I never thought about it because my last cage that the gliders were in for three years was made with wood, and partially painted. They did not chew it however, I think the shredded stuff was like teasing them. I miss them a ton. I have covered all that wood with plexiglass. So none of it is exposed anymore.I painted glider angels on the wall before I covered it. With the gliders names under the pictures. That way I still have them around always. Unfortunatly its still empty. I will wait until after the holidays and someother things before I try to get more gliders.I sepend my "glider time" and other time on this site now. I feel I am learning more about gliders everyday. I know in the future I will be on here more often even if I have gliders just to keep up to date on the latest news. You all are wonderful!!

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I had some ideas, and I don't know if anybody else mentioned them. Do you live in a house or apartment? I was thinking that apartments sometimes have exterminators come in and spray without your knowledge. Is there a chance that there was bug spray near the cage or is there a chance that there was a toxin in their food? Since all of them died so suddenly, I'd suspect the food or a gas or poison in close proximity to the cage. That's the only things it could be. This was not from wood. Those toxins might make them sick, but it's not gonna kill them that fast in the quantities that they could ingest. I'm no expert, but that's just an opinion. This had to be something more potent.

Good luck.

ya know I don't really believe that it was the wood or the paint either. Since they were in the cage for three mnths or so, and had chewed in the begining and all of a sudden they all die at once. I did have someone mention maybe a pesticide or something on one of the fruits and veggies. I rinse them well before I feed them to them but, I may have not done a very good job or somethingI live in a house and no pesticides are in the house at all. I don't use them. It is a basement room and the only thing in the room is the water softener. I had someone check for gas leaks and have a carbon monoxide detector in the room. We did get a new cat not long before the gliders died. The vet said she could not get the gliders sick. She said diseases are species oriented. The litter boxes are in the room as well. I clean them everyday and they really are not used much cuz my cats go out alot during the day. Its a basement room and there is no drain in the floor ( someone mentioned gases from a floor drain). I can't think of anything else. The vet mentioned a virus or something that killed them all so quickly, but I don't know. Like I said they really did not tell me much to give me a real answer. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="" title="" src="graemlins/shakehead.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" />

have you checked for radon gas in the basment.i have it under the house. so i have a fan runing all yr long dick

isn't radon present in soil?? I read alot on it back at my old house because we had a dirt floor in part of our basement. Our new house the basement is all finished its a 30 yr old house,I have the stuff to send away for a radon kit though I guess it could not hurt any to check. I know we are not in a high radon area, but ya never can't be to careful. Good thought.

i am the only one in willowsprings that has it under the house.it can come from a ck in the floor.or a hole in the wall dick

I did a science project on Radon in HS. It will not kill the animals that fast. Don't worry about that one. Radon is a slow killer and causes cancer, not SIDS.

I am sorry for your loss. After reading all of these stories and a close friend losing her 2 gliders to wood poisoning. I avoid it at all costs. I am glad you shared your story with us. It's sad that you lost your precious gliders but I hope things will start to look up for you. I wish you all the best and take care.

Glider Greetings, Chrissy: <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

I see from the date that this is an old thread......guess I missed the original posting as I don't usually visit this forum.

First, let me say that I am sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how much of a shock it would be to find a whole cage full of gliders in distress.

Obviously, I don't know much about the details of the situation; but, from what has been posted, I don't put much stock in the theory that your gliders were poisoned by the cage. It is very hard to believe that your gliders lived in their cage for three months without a problem.....and did not get sick from a previous chewing incident.....and then, all of a sudden, all six gliders decided to chew on the cage on the same night and ingest sufficient material to poison them. It's fairly well known that gliders vary in their propensity to chew......some are chewers and some are not.... The chances that all six of your gliders are chewers and picked one particular night to chew after being in the cage for many months seems highly unlikely to me.....not impossible; but, highly unlikely!!

You said the only thing in the basement was a water softener. Most homes that I'm familiar with that have basements usually have the water heater and the heating equipment in the basement as well???

What's the latest on your glider situation?? Have you been able to find some rescues and start a new glider family??

It is hard to read this post again.. so many sad memories!

I do currently have gliders again <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> I got them at Christmas time, Named them Noela and Jingles. They are a happy couple however they are three years old (ish??) and not so nice at first. I believe they where bumped around to several different homes, took some time to adjust to me but they sure have come around. They have had two joeys since I have had them, and the thrid just oop yesterday! This time I believe it is a girl. Dad is long over due on being neutered. I have been putting it off due to other expenses and Really hope to have it done ASAP!!

I later learned that my neice and nephew fed the gliders cat food the night before they died. They said it was just a few pieces (not sure what that means to a 10 and 8 year old), I had done this in the past as treats, back when I got my first glider and was feeding a diet of cat food anyways. I am un sure if that caused the death of my gliders either, my vet was not sure and really never gave me any closure on the subject. Rather depressing I must say. She did say the combination of faulty water bottle and cat food may have been the cause. toxic shock or something like that. I did change the cage, covering walls with plexi glass (then hard ware cloth) and keeping a close eye on rather my gliders chew or not. They do not though, so this is a good thing. I do still use the cage, its so big, I could not imagine down sizing. I do plan to make a new one someday and not use wood though. As to rather the furnace and such was in the same area, no they where not. They are further down the hall in a seperate room. I had the lines checked for a gas leak after the gliders passed away, I have also put four bottles for water in the cage at a time, so at least one should always be working, and have a carbon monoxide detector in there. I hope never to lose another glider. It was a horrible experience. Never take your babies for granted one day they could be gone.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/gliderangel.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/gliderangel.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/gliderangel.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/gliderangel.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/gliderangel.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/gliderangel.gif" alt="" />

Chrissy,

Thank you for updating us on your situation. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I saw this thread for the first time yesterday, and I wondered if you ever did get more gliders. I'm very glad that you did! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

Hi Chrissy - I'm so glad you now have Noela and Jingles (and babies) to love! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> Anyone can see how much you truly love your wee ones and it would be a shame not to share that with them!

Ya know, as we all go on day to day and read our GC Board it is sometimes difficult to remember history of all the members/posters. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I know you have been posting yet somehow I just never put it together that you had gone through this tragedy not so terribly long ago. I do, however, remember the tragedy itself. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/upset.gif" alt="" /> What I am trying to say is that your strength and resolve are admirable! I wish the very best for you and your "kids" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/exclamation.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

you, know I try to remember the good times and not the sad ones. You always have to keep going, I lost a Dog last July to cancer, she was 8 and so alive in spirit but physically cancer was doing her in. I had to have her put to sleep. I stayed with her the whole time, my boyfriend couldn't take it and left the room. I talk about her and her little quirks all the time. It helps keep her memory alive. It makes me feel good the memories. That goes for my gliders too! I will love them all forever!!!!!!

Im am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your gliders. Please keep us informed about the 2 survivors. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frostyangel.gif" alt="" />

Im so sorry!My prayers go out to you. I hope the remaining ones make it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frostyangel.gif" alt="" />
Sarah

Just FYI this happened about nine mnths ago.. Thanks for the most recent prayers and thoughts But,it would be best to check the date of the post, I know this is a long post with lots of replys so reading it all is time consuming. Thanks to all though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

Catching up on posts I had to say CONGRATS on your new "family" and still sorry for your loss. Knowing the kids gave it cat food doesn't help much with the inconclusive report from teh vet, but I'd bet money on it beign a bad batch of cat food that would kill teh suggies and no effect the cat. Chip up, you're a good glider Mommy! Kirsten

Chrissy, I just read your post from last year and the most recent update. What a roller coaster ride of emotions! I am so glad to read of your new family; you truly deserve gliders with the love you have to share. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/heartpump.gif" alt="" />

My post is a bit late, but on the matter or propane. Propane is a liquid inside the 10lb cylinder. Companies that manufacture propane are required to add a scent for safety issues. Normaly, propane cannot be detected unless a scent is added. Also, the only weay a leak could occur is with a faulty valve on the regulator (if you have an older tank), new tanks have an opd regulator, prevents over filling, or a loose connection. Theres a better chance of having a loose connection. To test for a propane leak spray a soap/water (1:1 ratio) around joints and connections of piping and fittings to test for leaks. If small bubbles become noticeable, turn propane off and tighten. Then repeat process.

Sorry I blabbed on and on, but we dispense propane out of a 6500 gallon propane tank.