How do you know if your glider is blind? I think my Clyde, 11 is going blind. He reacts very little to visual stimulation. I can wave my hand in front of his face with very little reaction from him, and he tries to follow smell or sounds and ends up just a little off. His eyes are still black and bright, so it's nothing obvious. How would I know for sure?
Shawna Who are you networked with? Networking could save your gliders life. Create one now.
Re: How do you know...
[Re: USMom]
#560403 05/30/0812:14 AM05/30/0812:14 AM
How do you know if your glider is blind? I think my Clyde, 11 is going blind. He reacts very little to visual stimulation. I can wave my hand in front of his face with very little reaction from him, and he tries to follow smell or sounds and ends up just a little off. His eyes are still black and bright, so it's nothing obvious. How would I know for sure?
This definitely sounds like he's either in the process of going blind or is already blind. My Pika went through the same types of "symptoms" as she became blind from cataracts (although you could see the cataracts developing when the light shone on her eyes at a specific angle). Your vet will be able to do a complete exam of Clyde's eyes using a retinascope and will be able to help determine the cause of the progressing blindness. For how to set up his cage, there's a great thread in Special Needs about that...
ETA: The thread in Special Needs is Caring for Blind Gliders. I added a new reply to that thread with pictures of my Pika's cage set-up... Also, there are many other useful threads about blindness in that forum as well
I've also noticed that he is hiding a lot more, not spending time out and about. I think it's one of two things: he's going blind and is scared/doesn't know his way around yet, or it's getting close to time for him to cross the bridge. I'm so sad for him.
Shawna Who are you networked with? Networking could save your gliders life. Create one now.
Re: How do you know...
[Re: USMom]
#560542 05/30/0809:14 AM05/30/0809:14 AM
My poor Spike is showing some signs of aging as well so I know what you're going through The whole reason I got Spike was because I didn't want him to die of old age in a rescue without a forever home.
Spike doesn't much, and when he jumps he really doesn't have good balance. He's nowhere near as active as my 1 year olds (he's 9ish), and he tends to prefer to just sit on my shoulder or my neck and groom my hair instead of fly around during tent time. I'm not complaining, it's great to have a little sugar glider who likes to cuddle, but I can't help but feel sorry for him, especially since he only has half a tail.
Re: How do you know...
[Re: ]
#561357 05/31/0803:07 PM05/31/0803:07 PM
Here are a couple of pics of my Clyde baby. He is a little bobble like, but seems to be able to see in bright light, maybe just problems with low light (where I usually see him). Look at his nose, it is very pale, but his paws are pink like normal. He is eating fine, just not very active. For those of you that have had older gliders pass, how do you know when it's getting close? Clyde is almost 12. Also, I am considering adding some higher fat to his diet, ensure and avacado, specifically, as he is losing weight (gradually). Any thoughts or ideas on this is welcome. I want him to be happy and healthy as long as possible.
Shawna Who are you networked with? Networking could save your gliders life. Create one now.
Re: How do you know...
[Re: USMom]
#561399 05/31/0804:29 PM05/31/0804:29 PM
I would be careful about adding fat to his diet. It can really cause problems with the liver and gall bladder. If anything more calcium.
Just as we are, as we get older our bodies don't handle the fatty foods well and cause us problems. So imagine how it would effect such a little body. That is why calcium is so important.
Since he is 12 that sure can be an older glider. Maybe he needs more one to one with you for a little boost in his nature and heart.
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