Posted By: Gregg
Self Mutilation 5-HTP? - 02/16/09 09:20 PM
One of my gliders (I have two - brothers both 9 years old) has a pretty deep wound. I took him to the vet today and she put him on antibiotics (amoxicillin). She said it looks like self mutilation. She said it could be that he got a wound which resulted in self mutilation or just that he started self mutilating. It's the first time I've had a problem like this with either glider. They get along quite well. I also have a cat, but they are never out of the cage when he's in the room although sometimes he might slap at the cage while I'm holding them. She said it didn't look like a claw wound.
Anyway, one of the things she discussed was giving him 5-HTP to decrease anxiety behaviors in case that's the reason for the SM. She admitted that she'd never used this on a glider before, but said as far as she's read it is safe for other animals and assumes it would be for gliders too. I told her I'd check on this board and she agreed that would be a good idea. So has anyone ever heard of using 5-HTP for gliders? I'm very hesitant to try it unless I know it's safe for sure. Plus the dosing seems difficult since I'd need to break up a capsule into about 100 servings.
Thanks.
Anyway, one of the things she discussed was giving him 5-HTP to decrease anxiety behaviors in case that's the reason for the SM. She admitted that she'd never used this on a glider before, but said as far as she's read it is safe for other animals and assumes it would be for gliders too. I told her I'd check on this board and she agreed that would be a good idea. So has anyone ever heard of using 5-HTP for gliders? I'm very hesitant to try it unless I know it's safe for sure. Plus the dosing seems difficult since I'd need to break up a capsule into about 100 servings.
Thanks.