GliderCENTRAL

Possible Self Mutilator or overgroomer?? help

Posted By: Anonymous

Possible Self Mutilator or overgroomer?? help - 03/12/07 03:15 AM

I have been having issues with my trio with one being the odd man out. I have tried everything but he is still being left out. Now i think i might be seeing signs of Over Grooming or SM.. He comes out every night and gets the right diet and all that, but i think its because he is constantly getting kicked out of the pouch with gizzy and chunk. I have been thinking about getting a fourth glider and trying to introduce them all together...

My question is, i was on here a while ago and there was a picture of a glider who overgroomed his head, and there was thin hair on either sides of the scent patch.. i was looking for the pic but i cant find it, can anyone help???

I'm hoping i caught this early enough to put a stop to it before he goes bald.

P.S. This is a rescue that i had taken in a couple of months ago, but they came to me, they were both ok.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Possible Self Mutilator?? - 03/12/07 03:45 AM

someone please help
Posted By: BeckiT

Re: Possible Self Mutilator?? - 03/12/07 03:49 AM

Lindsay, this is one thread on a glider who overgroomed.
Posted By: Dancing

Re: Possible Self Mutilator?? - 03/12/07 03:54 AM

Often with trios (or colonies) one glider will get kicked out and/or bullied. Even in established colonies this can happen and for no apparent reason. Please understand there is a HUGE difference between over grooming and self mutilation.

Overgrooming is generally a result of stress, loneliness, boredom and SOMETIMES illness.

Self mutilation (most times) is a reaction to physical pain. (yes, that is over simplifying it).

I would suggest a vet visit for your little one to rule out any medical problems and then I would seriously look for a like tempered (same personality type) glider and seperate out your over groomer and introduce him to a friend of his own. It sounds like the other two in the trio have made their partner choice and as a trio, it isn't going to work.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Possible Self Mutilator?? - 03/12/07 04:23 AM

I kinda figured that.. its so sad because i give those little guys everything i can. i love em so much it hurts me that one of them is unhappy. I have been looking into getting a fourth glider.. possibly form a resuce, but I havent heard back from many, and the ones I do hear back from, nothing ever really went through...

In the meantime, If i carry him around with me at work all day, do you think it might compensate a little? So he;s not alone all day while he's sleeping.. He's not super friendly, but we have teken him out in public a bunch of times and there werent any incedents.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Possible Self Mutilator?? - 03/12/07 04:24 AM

P.S. it is DEFINITELY think its overgrooming and not SM. I will call my vet tomorrow and make an appt. sheesh between this and my kitty going into labor tonight.. its a little CRAZY
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Possible Self Mutilator?? - 03/12/07 08:11 AM

Lindsay, this is a common confusion. Think of it this way-if the glider can't reach it with it's teeth, it's not SM (and they can't chew the top of their own head). My Riker when he had face infection groomed himself a mohawk from the stress of the headache. He was also a cloacal self mutilator (that he CAN reach with his teeth) I'll try and post a pic in the am of his mohawk-if I forget, send me a PM. crazy

I would not recommend a colony of 4. If you want his stress reduced, I would really suggest a second cage and a cagemate of his own. In the wild, a "colony" has acres to roam, and an escape from a bully. No matter how big a cage, it's still a cage, and in confinement, there is only so far you can go to get away, and can't run off to join another colony. This adds depression to the bullied glider's stresses. Or he can sleep alone separately as an escape, and be lonely in a cage even though there are other gliders, but still without being able to get away, really.
This is why colonies in captivity can be very iffy, if two gliders don't like each other. It doesn't always work.
Posted By: BCChins

Re: Possible Self Mutilator?? - 03/12/07 02:24 PM

I am only adding to this but since Chunk and Nugget have been together forever and then you added Gizmo wouldn't it be best to take out Gizmo and leave Chunk and Nugget together?? Then you can find Gizmo a buddy and keep them in a seperate cage. I just feel since Chunk and Nugget have been long time pals they should e together always Yes/No
I will ask my friend if she has any rescue singles coming in as she is getting in some this week.
Lindsey let me know if you are interested
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Possible Self Mutilator?? - 03/12/07 04:57 PM

If you think that leaving chunk and nugget together is the right thing to do, then that;s what i will do. I didnt think that having 4 gliders in one cage would be an issue, but if everyone seems to agree on that, I will get a secong nice big cage.. I want everyones opinions on this. I only want what is best for my gliders and nothing less.

I am definitely interested in the single glider, and introducting a young glider would be easier to do with gizzy since he is still young rather than nugget. I just thought since nugget and chunk werent getting along, even though they were original partners, that i would take out nugget.. but if taking out gizzy is the answer, thats what i will do..

Please any input will help
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Possible Self Mutilator?? - 03/12/07 05:24 PM

Lindsay, trust me I know colonies are or can be extremely difficult. I agree is best to keep the 2 together and find the little guy a new friend and not try to put them all together.
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Possible Self Mutilator?? - 03/13/07 12:34 PM

I would remove the one that's being bullied (not sure which one that is) since the other two seem to have developed a closer bond with each other, than with him, and let him begin again with someone all his own...if that made sense.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Possible Self Mutilator?? - 03/13/07 08:30 PM

it makes sense to me.. somewhat.. some people are saying take gizzy out, the origional lone glider that was not being bullies, and keep the two Chunk (one rescue) and Nugget (bullied glider that came as a pair with Chunk) and others are saying that i should take out Nugget.. I have no idea..

However, today when i looked in to see them this morning, GIzzy and Nugget were sleeping together and Chunk was alone.. i'm so confused. I think =i'm going to just give everyone a lot more out of cage time and rotate who comes to work with me and see if that will stop the over grooming.. i also have a vet appt. just in case...

If that doesnt work, i'm gonna work on getting a second bigger cage (my my second is kinda a spare and is on 36 x 24 x 24) and a fourth glider.

I am open to ANY AND ALL suggestions as i am totally lost on this subject.

Has anyone successfully kept 4 gliders int he same cage together without any huge issues?
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: Possible Self Mutilator?? - 03/15/07 05:24 PM

I said I'd get pics. One is of my Riker's mohawk/overgrooming when he had an infection in his head/upper jaw. At it's worst, it extended around his ears onto his neck.

The other is a rescue girl from '05 that came with severe HLP and neglect, and had a cagemate-her name is Stitch. This is about a month in or so, when she could finally start climbing. By 3 months, when they went to their new home, all her hair was grown back in.

Wish the pics were better, but you should be able to see where the fur isn't there.

Attached picture 6779-RikersHalfMoons.jpg
Attached picture 6780-LiloStitchrescues102005.jpg
© 2024 GliderCENTRAL