I just got my new glider last night, my friend picked him up in Dallas. Here's a little background. He posted an ad on Craigslist saying his sister talked him into taking this glider, and he didn't realize the work involved, doesn't have time ect. so he's selling him. Doesn't know the age, has no picture. My friend picked him up on Sunday, the guy came out with a shoebox w/ holes poked in lid, took the money and left.She doesn't know anything about them, and just left him in there for fear he'd escape.I had sent a cage and pouch, but the guy told her he'd be fine in there. I get him and open the box in the cage, and he's in a bunch of papertowels, with a sock, and a bowl of fruit cocktail. He was crabbing like crazy, but nothing "bad" sounding. When he finally emerges, his tail is missing all the fur from near the base to about an inch up. He is terrified. But his fur isn't yellowish, his nose is a healthy pink. He was trying to chew on the box and all the toys, and is very skittish. The guy said he was a male, but he doesn't have a bald spot on his head, maybe just young? He seems smaller than my glider who is 3. What do I need to do for him? From last night to this morning, he hasn't chewed anymore on himself. My glider came out of her pouch and was extremely interested in him, really excited to see him. I wish there wasn't a 30 period, because I think it would help him alot to have another glider. The guy's sister has his brother, they split them up 2 or 3 weeks ago. Any help?
Re: My new glider is self-mutilating
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#292757 05/21/0711:07 AM05/21/0711:07 AM
First of all, considering his condition, I wouldn't shorten the 30 day period at all.. If he is SMing, I'd get him an ecollar to keep him from doing it for now.. Other than that, I would suggest contacting a vet. If there's something different you'd like to do, or you don't think that would help, wait for someone else to post here. I'm a bit green to help out in these situations. Also, he seems to be under alot of stress as it is. Try to keep the area around his cage quiet and not too dramatic. Taking him to the vet will probably cause him some stress, but a vet is a vet and a vet knows best. For now, try the ecollar. If it's too hard to get it on him or it freaks him out too bad, don't try it again until someone more experienced comes along. They'll know alot more than I do.
Has the glider actually injured himself or is it just missing fur? If there's any wound, or you have any thought that he's sm'ing, an ecollar is a must followed by a vet visit. You said the hair loss is at the base of the tail, so a standard ecollar should be sufficient. He's suffered a tremendous deal of stress and not knowing what type of situation he's come, the stress is probably long term. You need to get him to a vet for a thorough checkup ASAP. You don't want to expose your glider to any potential illness, so the 30 day quarantine is very important, including good handwashing between handling the different gliders. Once any immediate health needs are taken care of, give him time to settle in to his new home. Make sure he's eating and drinking. Watch his behavior and keep close eye on any changes. Please let us know how this guy does. I'm going to send a link to this to a few people w/sm experience.
I am at work, do they typically SM during the day, or will he be fine until I get home? Am in the process of making an appt and yes, the 30 day will definately be followed. I'm pretty sure he's SM'ing.
Re: My new glider is self-mutilating
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#292818 05/21/0712:12 PM05/21/0712:12 PM
if he is sm'ing it can happen at any time. Is it the end of his tail or the base up near his body? If it's the end, you'll need not only an ecollar, but a straw to cover the problem area as otherwise he'll still be able to get at it even with an ecollar on. It's possible it's just overgrooming from being stressed/lonely too. Do you have any pictures of the injury or are you able to take any?
Yes I have pics and I will try to post them here, but bear with me, I am on a MAC at work, which I love, but have never posted a pic with it. Edited: The pics are on my camera still and I don't have the correct software, but I will post at lunch.
Last edited by bbiscuitsmommy; 05/21/0712:23 PM.
Re: My new glider is self-mutilating
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#292837 05/21/0712:27 PM05/21/0712:27 PM
Go macs. I'm on one too but I don't post pics, I think it's the same process though.
When you go to the vet have them run for urinalysis and fecal smear as well so if he has parasites or anything he won't expose your girl to it.
I have an Sm'er and while he was out of his collar for the first few weeks I made sure to give him lots of toys and treats and moved everything around to distract him from going back to old ways. If he is a case of overgrooming then do this for the 30 day waiting period at least it helped my baby. If he is SM then try it when he gets out of the collar. My boy was in the collar for three months and he still played with toys I just had to make sure he couldn't hurt himself on them or get stuck.
Re: My new glider is self-mutilating
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#292865 05/21/0712:45 PM05/21/0712:45 PM
Thanks for the replies, ya'll. I am trying not to spaz out too much! Poor little guy, he is so terrified, it broke my heart. But he was willing to take a small piece of marshmallow as a treat and a cricket and 2 mealworms from my hand. So that gives me hope for him. No wonder the guy didn't have pics!
Re: My new glider is self-mutilating
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#292908 05/21/0701:19 PM05/21/0701:19 PM
From that last pic, it does look like he's SM'ing because of the open sores, so you'll want to get him into the vet for a check and you also need to get an e-collar on him to prevent any further damage
Since the skin is broken, I'd go with a couple weeks of a broad spectrum antibiotic, just to head off any potential foothold of any bacteria that might be in there, and prevent it going any further before it does. As of now, a painkiller (Torbuterol or Butotphanol--NOT Metacam) might work instead of a collar...if any more damage is done, it won't.
With a tail, when you put the collar on, you need to make sure he can't get the damaged part into the collar to continue chewing on it-which may necessitate wrapping the tail with vetwrap or taping a slit straw over it so it can't curl in. The collar is to keep the glider from chewing at any bandaging as well as the tail.
Jen/Colin Commander Riker 12 16 02-10 04 12 you will be FOREVER missed Sinbad, Gabby, Baby, and Alley