GliderCENTRAL

New (to me) babies!

Posted By: wvglidermomma

New (to me) babies! - 07/01/19 09:37 PM

This kind of covers diet and overall health/behavior, so I put it in here. Please move if need be smile

I adopted 2 new grey boys this weekend, and they came from a, sadly not very good home. The owner loved them dearly but it appears they may have been uneducated.

Their cage was much too small, and when I got them they were in a pouch that smelled terribly, along with the boys. I don't think they've ever seen a wheel, and from the photos of their set up with previous owner, it looks like they only had a few dangly toys to keep them occupied.

My main concern to cover health is their fur is SO stained. I don't know how many times their pouch was cleaned in the time they were with prev owner, but between the smell and the look of their fur it doesn't seem like it was frequently. I have since discarded the smelly pouch and put them in a new temporary cage until we get their new one put together tonight. My 4 other babies I got as practically brand new joeys, and there is zero staining at all. How long does it typically take to start getting that to fade? I've also read that overcleaning your cages/pouches can cause it to get worse? We wash all fleece and wipe everything down once a week. Is this too much?

Now, onto diet. It appears from what she gave me, that she had them on TPG diet. She didn't name off a diet, just gave me a sheet of paper with approximately how to make it, and it follows closely to TPG. My other group of gliders eat Critter Love. We've been feeding them the 2 nights we've had them so far the same as our other guys and they only seem to want to touch the staple. I vaguely remember my other group being like that at first.. Will it just take a little bit of time for them to truly adjust or should we try to entice them towards the salad a little harder?

Also, will switching to Critter Love help with the process of lightening up the stains? They don't look like any standard greys I've ever seen, because everything is so yellowish brown, even their back/head fur.

Any help would be great. My heart is broken for these little guys, I can't wait to give them all the suggie lovins they deserve.
Posted By: KarenE

Re: New (to me) babies! - 07/01/19 10:36 PM

Switching should make a difference, but it may take a little bit for you to see a change. My recommendation is always Critterlove because everything you need is in the mixture. All you add is their veggies and fruits.

Be sure to follow the directions for feeding as outlined.
Posted By: Feather

Re: New (to me) babies! - 07/01/19 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by wvglidermomma
This kind of covers diet and overall health/behavior, so I put it in here. Please move if need be smile

I adopted 2 new grey boys this weekend, and they came from a, sadly not very good home. The owner loved them dearly but it appears they may have been uneducated.

Their cage was much too small, and when I got them they were in a pouch that smelled terribly, along with the boys. I don't think they've ever seen a wheel, and from the photos of their set up with previous owner, it looks like they only had a few dangly toys to keep them occupied.

My main concern to cover health is their fur is SO stained. I don't know how many times their pouch was cleaned in the time they were with prev owner, but between the smell and the look of their fur it doesn't seem like it was frequently. I have since discarded the smelly pouch and put them in a new temporary cage until we get their new one put together tonight. My 4 other babies I got as practically brand new joeys, and there is zero staining at all. How long does it typically take to start getting that to fade? I've also read that overcleaning your cages/pouches can cause it to get worse? We wash all fleece and wipe everything down once a week. Is this too much? Are they neutered? That could be some of the staining from over marking. It will take about a month before you start seeing a change in appearance as the hair has to grow out.

Now, onto diet. It appears from what she gave me, that she had them on TPG diet. She didn't name off a diet, just gave me a sheet of paper with approximately how to make it, and it follows closely to TPG. My other group of gliders eat Critter Love. We've been feeding them the 2 nights we've had them so far the same as our other guys and they only seem to want to touch the staple. I vaguely remember my other group being like that at first.. Will it just take a little bit of time for them to truly adjust or should we try to entice them towards the salad a little harder? Just keep putting the Critterlove and the salad mixture in the cage for them. They will eat, right now they are in a new house with new digs, new smells and other gliders. They won't starve themselves.

Also, will switching to Critter Love help with the process of lightening up the stains? The last bad rescues I had came in brown, I could see their color changing after about 3 weeks. They are now nice and grey. I feed Critterlove also.They don't look like any standard greys I've ever seen, because everything is so yellowish brown, even their back/head fur.

Any help would be great. My heart is broken for these little guys, I can't wait to give them all the suggie lovins they deserve.

Posted By: wvglidermomma

Re: New (to me) babies! - 07/02/19 01:51 AM

Honestly I’m not sure if they are or not. Considering everything else, I’d assume they aren’t. They have both bald spots, but I know that doesn’t mean much if they were neutered afterwards. Our male Leucistic has a teeny bit around his chest spot, so I know what that is. These boys have it all over.

We got them in a new, big cage today so I’m excited to get the settled and happy. I took pictures so I can measure how long it takes.

& yes we LOVE Critter Love!!! We almost instantly saw a difference in our other babies furs and overall health after switching them.
Posted By: Ladymagyver

Re: New (to me) babies! - 07/02/19 11:00 AM

Since you already have gliders, I would get these guys in for a vet check up ASAP. The vet can determine if they've been neutered, and give them an all over physical. You need to have a fecal and urine test done too. If they aren't neutered, it needs to be done soon. With a female in the other cage, they can smell her in heat. They may start fighting each other and try to get to her. I'm not trying to start you in to a panic, they will be fine, I just wanted you to be aware and watch them.

You may want to wash your hands between handling the cages too.
Posted By: wvglidermomma

Re: New (to me) babies! - 07/02/19 12:00 PM

I had definitely planned on a vet check, I was discussing that with a coworker yesterday. Especially with some of the things that were being fed to them as treats, etc. They seem in good health, but as we all know gliders hide their ailments well.
Posted By: Xeno

Re: New (to me) babies! - 07/02/19 08:17 PM

The fur staining is almost certainly from their cage not being cleaned in their last home. It should sort itself out with time but yeah, they need neutering ASAP. It will help with bonding and prevent conflict especially with girls around.
Posted By: Feather

Re: New (to me) babies! - 07/03/19 01:29 AM

Discolored fur can also be caused by diet.
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