Hi all! I noticed my sweet Shakespeare was hissing while peeing on Sunday, so Monday- I took him to the vet. He has a UTI as I suspected. The vet said she saw blood in the urine and a strain of a bactria in the e-coli family. She also stated that he had started to chew the area, but it was so small and no real damage- thank goodness! He's doing well and after 2 doses of Baytril- he's already perking up.
Now- I'm feeling really bad b/c I'm afraid it could be the cage and I need to double check something. I just bought a huge and I mean huge bird flight cage out of the epoxy coated metal. I thought bird cages were safe glider cages. I wonder if it's a coincidence that he got a uti a couple wks after purchasing the cage or if it's the cage. Unfortunately, it was a total waste of money b/c the gliders can get through the bars!!!! I thought that the smaller spacing which is just over 1/2" was safe since they're adults...BBUUUTTTT NOOOOO, not my gliders- they are out of that cage every night. Luckily- I have a glider safe room and they can fly all over the fleece covered walls and trees, but what a bummer.
Re: glider has UTI
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#656173 10/14/0808:16 AM10/14/0808:16 AM
I don't believe the cage would have been the cause of the UTI in this case. That type of cage has been used for gliders (albeit with the smaller bar spacing) for many years with no problems. In fact, I have been using that type of cage for the past 6 years and have never had a glider with a UTI at all. In regards to the bar spacing, it definitely needs to be 1/2" or less. Even 5/8" the gliders can get through easily. I made the same mistake once. Thought 5/8" would be okay - found out it wasn't
Yeah, that's not a fun lesson to learn the hard way. But thank you for the reassurance on the cage material. Nevertheless, I disinfected and washed everything and buying a new water bottle.
Re: glider has UTI
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#656312 10/14/0802:58 PM10/14/0802:58 PM
Did you clean it well before you put the gliders in it? there may have ben something on it to start with??? The other possibility is that even if your room is glider safe, they are very good at sniffing out even "microscopic" things that interest them. If he was free in the room longer than normal he may have gotten into something that wasn't good for him, or, because he was outside got a little dehydrated not having access to his water. Just a thought.....
Re: glider has UTI
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#656329 10/14/0803:40 PM10/14/0803:40 PM
I have never experienced this, but I have heard that it is possible for them to get a UTI from aggressive over-marking because they rub their cloaca TOO much on soiled areas. Perhaps new cage + clean toys & bedding = happy marking glider & unfortunate UTI? I would discuss this possibility with your vet - if it is in fact a possibility, I would only clean parts of their environment at a time. For example, if you clean the cage, wait a week before you change out the pouches and toys. This way they won't feel a need to over mark.
Re: glider has UTI
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#656331 10/14/0803:43 PM10/14/0803:43 PM
I have never experienced this, but I have heard that it is possible for them to get a UTI from aggressive over-marking because they rub their cloaca TOO much on soiled areas. Perhaps new cage + clean toys & bedding = happy marking glider & unfortunate UTI? I would discuss this possibility with your vet - if it is in fact a possibility, I would only clean parts of their environment at a time. For example, if you clean the cage, wait a week before you change out the pouches and toys. This way they won't feel a need to over mark.
Very true, good idea!
Re: glider has UTI
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#656424 10/14/0807:04 PM10/14/0807:04 PM
ACtually- I think what I wrote got misunderstood. I did not clean the toys for the new cage as I tried to keep their scent on their stuff. I did clean the cage before putting them in it. When I got home from the vet is when I disinfected everything with Kage Clean and pitched the water bottle. There's no telling where or how he got the infection. I'm just glad that the cage is of safe material for the gliders. Thank you for the responses! He's doing so much better. Although he hates me for giving him the medicine. I'm getting some very nasty bites and scratches!! The price we pay!
Re: glider has UTI
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#657079 10/15/0805:44 PM10/15/0805:44 PM
LOL the little black cage you have is the one Hammy came with! ^-^ I just bought another one - but it needs cleaned. =( I figure he will be okay in this one for now since he is still so small.