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Is coat condition a true indicator of health?
#1013111
10/05/10 03:08 AM
10/05/10 03:08 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,748 New Jersey
JillMarie
OP
Serious Glideritis
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OP
Serious Glideritis
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,748
New Jersey
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I read a thread on another forum about this and thought it would be interesting to start one here.
while coat condition is definitely an indicator of health, what are those conditions? dull lifeless coat, brittleness, greasy, overly dry, missing fur,very thin coat, are all obvious indications something is wrong.
but what about subtler things like the "cracked" fur look?
I have 4 gliders in my house. All eat the same foods. 2 have the most thick and luxurious feeling fur. 1 has very nice fur as well. not as thick, but very good. My Arwen has very cracked fur. no bare spots at all, but her fur also seems longer than the others, so the "cracks" may just be the way the hair is moving as she moves. Her fur is very soft and also very thick feeling.
so is it genetics? She was born very small (much smaller than her brother that has the best fur ever)and was rejected by mommy.
your thoughts? about fur, not specifically my gliders. lets hear about yours
Last edited by JillMarie; 10/05/10 03:15 AM.
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Re: Is coat condition a true indicator of health?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1013116
10/05/10 03:56 AM
10/05/10 03:56 AM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,108 Phoenix AZ
chattrbabe
Glider Addict
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Glider Addict
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,108
Phoenix AZ
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I have heard that humidity is a factor. My apartment's humidity is normally about 30 - 40%, according to the digital thermometer I have. I think it has a little to do with diet, the glider's history, housing, how often the pouch is changed and wheel is cleaned and how well the glider grooms itself along with how heavy the glider itself is. My cage of five groom like crazy, while my trio has one glider that has a little bit of a cracked look to his fur constantly. His tests always come back good, but he still has the look. Now, all of the other gliders have cracks in the spots their necks bend and where their shoulders and legs move. Another thing I think is how people feed the diets. If you don't feed the diet correctly, (giving too many bad treats or too much of one thing and not enough of the other) it could be affecting your glider's health. Calcium and Phosphorous ratios are huge in diet, which has such a phenomenal impact on their health.
Ash
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Re: Is coat condition a true indicator of health?
[Re: chattrbabe]
#1013137
10/05/10 07:40 AM
10/05/10 07:40 AM
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berryanimalluvrs
Unregistered
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berryanimalluvrs
Unregistered
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Interesting....I think number one is diet. We rescued four gliders last year that were pretty beefy on the BML. Then we ended up with three more that had been just pellet fed and after a few month on BML their fur got a lot better along with their energy. As for color and softness I noticed regularly cleaning their toys and cage helps alots....even though I have a few males that like to follow along and recoat everything. Genetics is probably in theeir with other factors but this is just what I've seen so far in my babies.
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Re: Is coat condition a true indicator of health?
[Re: chattrbabe]
#1013205
10/05/10 10:44 AM
10/05/10 10:44 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,454 South Africa
Gizmogirl
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,454
South Africa
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I have heard that humidity is a factor. My apartment's humidity is normally about 30 - 40%, according to the digital thermometer I have. I think it has a little to do with diet, the glider's history, housing, how often the pouch is changed and wheel is cleaned and how well the glider grooms itself along with how heavy the glider itself is. My cage of five groom like crazy, while my trio has one glider that has a little bit of a cracked look to his fur constantly. His tests always come back good, but he still has the look. Now, all of the other gliders have cracks in the spots their necks bend and where their shoulders and legs move. Another thing I think is how people feed the diets. If you don't feed the diet correctly, (giving too many bad treats or too much of one thing and not enough of the other) it could be affecting your glider's health. Calcium and Phosphorous ratios are huge in diet, which has such a phenomenal impact on their health. I agree with everything said above. I did notice that humidity plays a part, while we had a season change, the air became very dry and I noticed some cracks in all of my glider's fur. I used the humidifier for a week and I could see the difference.
Casper & Liezl Gizzy, Boesman, Muchu, Kiamon, Sky & Boog A glider's eyes have the power to speak a great language RIP Sugar 2009 & Kaida 2013
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Re: Is coat condition a true indicator of health?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1013982
10/06/10 08:52 PM
10/06/10 08:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 207 New Mexico
Viciousencounter
Glider Explorer
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Glider Explorer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 207
New Mexico
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I feed the BML diet and my girls are pretty active, Kira has very nice fur but Luna seems to be getting more and more cracked fur as the weather gets colder here. It is not dry at all, but Luna's fur is very cracked even on her forehead..... I'm very confused because both of their coats seem to be the same thickness. Anyone know why? Picture of Luna
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Re: Is coat condition a true indicator of health?
[Re: Viciousencounter]
#1014006
10/06/10 09:34 PM
10/06/10 09:34 PM
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HeatherB
Unregistered
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HeatherB
Unregistered
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I feed the BML diet and my girls are pretty active, Kira has very nice fur but Luna seems to be getting more and more cracked fur as the weather gets colder here. It is not dry at all, but Luna's fur is very cracked even on her forehead..... I'm very confused because both of their coats seem to be the same thickness. Anyone know why? Picture of Luna I actually have the same problem. My male gliders fur is smooth, glossy and just perfect. My female's however has started to concern me because she does have faint cracking similar to your Luna's. I have been concerned that maybe he is eating better then her because in the morning it is impossible to see who ate their fruits, who ate their veggies, ect. Overall, I'm going to try and monitor whose eating what and their individual portions and hopefully figure out if it is diet related or just something else (like the weather or even the indoor temperature).
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Re: Is coat condition a true indicator of health?
[Re: ]
#1014045
10/06/10 10:52 PM
10/06/10 10:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 207 New Mexico
Viciousencounter
Glider Explorer
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Glider Explorer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 207
New Mexico
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I actually have the same problem. My male gliders fur is smooth, glossy and just perfect. My female's however has started to concern me because she does have faint cracking similar to your Luna's. I have been concerned that maybe he is eating better then her because in the morning it is impossible to see who ate their fruits, who ate their veggies, ect. Overall, I'm going to try and monitor whose eating what and their individual portions and hopefully figure out if it is diet related or just something else (like the weather or even the indoor temperature). Thats a great plan! I will do this too and report back here. I think this might be the issue because I have noticed Kira has gained weight and it appears they have been eating less and less BML. The bowl use to be licked clean now there is a lot of remnants. Unfortunately, I have tried to feed HPW and neither of my girls ate it. Maybe I can try blended? Thank you for replying HeatherB, your reply made me feel better. :]
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Re: Is coat condition a true indicator of health?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1015450
10/10/10 06:14 AM
10/10/10 06:14 AM
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Megs
Unregistered
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Megs
Unregistered
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I know when I lived in NM Daisy and Ohana had some 'cracks' in their fur. I fed them BML. We moved to OR and their fur improved by about 50%. I got the rescues and rehabilitated them with BML though I had already chosen to switch the offered diet. Everybody is now on Priscilla's and they look marvelous. I don't know if it's diet, their caging, their toys, etc. Maybe it's all of that, maybe it's only one of those things. I'm not sure. But the difference is uncanny.
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Re: Is coat condition a true indicator of health?
[Re: JillMarie]
#1015505
10/10/10 10:49 AM
10/10/10 10:49 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 13,748 Vincennes, IN, USA
suggiemom1980
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 13,748
Vincennes, IN, USA
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On their old diet, my gliders fur seemed dull and thin. Once I switched to HPW tho, everyone gained a few grams, their fur thickened up and became shiny. I also add Vit E oil to their food and once a week, each one gets a drop of Emu Oil as a licky treat.
Connie 812-890-9734, 24/7 Emergencies/Joey issues SmallWorldSuggies"The greater the challenge, the sweeter the reward" "Glide free Silly "Ozball" Ozzie. You left us 11/21/12..way too soon. You're forever loved, remembered, missed."
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Re: Is coat condition a true indicator of health?
[Re: ]
#1015570
10/10/10 02:02 PM
10/10/10 02:02 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 207 New Mexico
Viciousencounter
Glider Explorer
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Glider Explorer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 207
New Mexico
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I know when I lived in NM Daisy and Ohana had some 'cracks' in their fur. I fed them BML.
We moved to OR and their fur improved by about 50%.
I got the rescues and rehabilitated them with BML Same here lol, I was going to try a different diet beside HPW since my gliders have already decided they do not like it. I am receiving a re-home soon that live past Texas. Whenever they arrive I will compare their coats and weights next to my gliders. The vitamin E oil seems like a great plan for them and me lol.
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