GliderCENTRAL

slight wheezy cough to her bark

Posted By: Anonymous

slight wheezy cough to her bark - 01/01/07 10:13 AM

I read the symptoms of illness and Honey Pie doesn't seem to have any of them, but I have noticed a bit of a wheezing sound that isn't in the sound bytes when she is barking. I never heard this until last night. Nearest vet for exotics is in Henderson and I haven't had them in to her as yet. Since she isn't bonding to any of us and we have two dogs that think chasing and catching anything resembling a mouse (caught mice and hamsters so far), I keep contact to hands in the cage. I hope to have lots of time for them, but teaching high school gives me little of that right now.
No one is sick in the house, so wondering how they might catch a cold or get a URI.
Take to a vet or no?
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: slight wheezy cough to her bark - 01/01/07 12:52 PM

Do you hear the wheezy sound at any other time? Does it start out as kind of a hiss/wheeze and end with the bark? Sometimes, that is the sound they make when they are in heat and trying to attract a male. If it continues or seems to get worse, then I would take her to a vet to be on the safe side. If you only hear it the one time, then I wouldn't worry too much about it. Make a note on the calendar and see if she repeats this particular sound in about 28-29 days... If so, then it's definitely a "heat call".
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: slight wheezy cough to her bark - 01/01/07 08:21 PM

I had to ask my spouse, he hears her more than I do lately.
I may move the cage into my hearing range.Cage is in living room and spouse keeps house on cool side (energy savings). I haven't figured out how to put the heating pad in this cage. When in the smaller "rabbit" cage, there was more air space between floor and the heating pad. Now, it might pose a fire hazard.
Wheeze is only when barking. Eyes are bright and weight is good. They've never gone into heat before and no male around for them. Should I seek a mate for them? She is the older of the two at almost 2 years old.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: slight wheezy cough to her bark - 01/01/07 08:46 PM

As far as warmth for them, I'd get a space heater. Just make sure they can't get to it during out of cage time.
I wouldn't necessarily look into getting a mate either. Unless you have intentions of breeding, but there are a lot of considerations for that.
Also, it may be hard to introduce a third glider into an already bonded couple. They may not accept another member, and then you are stuck with a lone glider, and a need to get him a friend. I think there is sometimes problems with two females with joey stealing. Don't totally quote me on that, I don't breed.
Be careful when using rabbit cages. A lot of times they make those with galvanized wire.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: slight wheezy cough to her bark - 01/01/07 09:21 PM

I know the sound sugarglidersuz is talking about. One of my girls will make it, the other one does not. All my males are neutered but they still will cycle.

As for introducing to already bonded. I added a 3 1/2 yr. old male into a colony of 3 with in 2 weeks with out problems, but they would not accept different glider before him. It all depends on the gliders.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: slight wheezy cough to her bark - 01/01/07 09:33 PM

I would not add another glider, since you said it's already hard to find time for the two you have.

I agree with Suz, it could be mating, however, I noticed you said they are 2years old - have you had them the entire 2 years, or did you just get them?

If you have had them for 2 years and this is the first time you are hearing this sound, I would suggest a vet check. Any behavior out of the ordinary is cause for a trip to the vet.

Any new animal should receive a vet check upon coming into your home, so if they are new and haven't been yet, perhaps now is a good time.

If they were seen when you brought them home, then I suggest you wait a couple days & see if she stops or if any other symptoms present themselves. This way you can be sure that it isn't just a heat cycle.

Whatever you do, keep a close eye on her as gliders deteriorate quickly once they become ill. Make sure you find a vet, a backup vet, and an emergency vet! Chance are that if you need one, it will be in the middle of the night.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: slight wheezy cough to her bark - 01/02/07 03:45 AM

has anyone recorded what a glider sounds like when calling for a mate? It's not on the sound bytes I checked out.
Posted By: sugarglidersuz

Re: slight wheezy cough to her bark - 01/02/07 04:05 AM

I'm not aware of anyone having a recording of it... I know I've tried, but been unsuccessful so far shakehead
© 2024 GliderCENTRAL