GliderCENTRAL

special needs modifications

Posted By: thefotokat

special needs modifications - 12/09/06 06:47 PM

I would like to ask everyone w/a special needs baby to share their ideas for modifications made for their babies. I've got one neuro baby and another boy in an ecollar due to sm. I've gotten so many good tips on modifications that I wanted to start a thread asking for everyone's ideas. This way we can all share what's worked for us and hopefully help each other continue to make our special babies lives easier.
Posted By: Xfilefan

Re: special needs modifications - 12/10/06 02:05 PM

I'll have to take a pic of Chronos' cage when I get home...mostly, he has corner hammocks about every 10 inches around his cage in a sort of circular pattern going top to bottom, because he's missing most of his toes (he has only 1 front hand intact), and he falls a lot-the first night we had him we didn't realize they were all missing, and kept trying to figure out what the CRASH every 15-20 minutes was crazy -it was Chronos hitting the bottom of the cage. frown

The danger with an ecollar is similar-you want to prevent a hard fall, especially since in the collar they may not be able to reach out and catch themselves-it gets in the way. I kept Riker's food/drink dishes under hammocks his collar could clear-about 4" off the floor. When he'd climb above that, they'd catch him if he fell and prevent a hard landing. Mostly, except for feeding with the trough feeders for one in a collar, and sleeping arrangements in something that will also accomodate the collar, I haven't had to use anything else, even for one with severe HLP-although ramps can be useful as well IF the glider uses them-you don't want them to fall on one. I've thought about fleece ones that can be tied to the cage instead...then if they were to fall on it, wouldn't get hurt, but could also walk/climb up and down them-haven't tried that yet though, and might not be easy for a collar to maneuver, but without one it's an idea.
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: special needs modifications - 12/10/06 04:17 PM

For Pika's blindness, HLP residual paralysis and neurological damage, she has a special set-up in her cage with 3 hammocks.

The top one is about half the size of the cage and is about 8" from the top. The middle one is full size and is about halfway down the cage. The bottom one is about 3" above the floor of the cage so that it will catch her if she falls out of the pouch when climbing in and out.
The pouch is in the bottom corner of the cage so that it is easier for her to climb in & out of...

I now also have to tip the bowls on edge along the side of the cage so that she can get into them more easily...

Soon I will be getting Pika a joey companion (since Cricky recently passed away) and will have to make new modifications so that the joey will have plenty of toys and a wheel. I'll post more information about that (with pictures) once I get the cage set up done...
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