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Caring For Blind Gliders
#84792
02/24/06 12:57 PM
02/24/06 12:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659 Wallis Texas
Charlie H
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Glider Slave
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,659
Wallis Texas
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We have two different blind gliders that we rescued. Neither of them can have their vision corrected. They are in different cages with different cage mates though. It is rather strange because the blind gliders cage mates seem to look out for the ones that can't see. Unlike sometimes when gliders will attack a sick glider these gliders seem to understand that their buddies are blind and take on the responsibility of helping them. We keep the blind gliders in low profile cages, not over 18" high. This will help in case one falls. The floor of the cage is padded. toys are all simple so as not to confuse them. We do have wheels in their cages and the blind gliders will use them. We try to keep everything in the same place. Food is always placed in the same spot each night. You will be amazed at how well they can get around. And they will respond to the sound of your voice and come for mealies. When they eat they remind me of Ray Charles singing. They will sit and hold their heads back while eating a mealie or piece of fruit or vegetable. As a matter of fact the little male was named Ray Ray when we got him. A tip is if you have a glider that has sight loss you can turn the cage on it's side in order to lower the fall distance. This trick also works for gliders that have leg/foot injuries or HLP. Charlie H
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84793
02/24/06 01:04 PM
02/24/06 01:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15,514 Long Island, NY
gliderdad79
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
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Posts: 15,514
Long Island, NY
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Great info and tips Charlie. Thanks for posting <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />
Eddie
In the Tropics somewhere between the port of indecision and southeast of disorder!
"Great people talk about ideas. Average people talk about things. Small people talk about other people."
One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching!
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84794
02/24/06 02:36 PM
02/24/06 02:36 PM
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Anonymous
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Thanks Charlie!! My little Oz may by chance loose her eye and this info will come in very handy if she does! Thanks! She already does the ray charles sinigng thing while she eats LOL its so sweet!!!
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84795
02/25/06 02:54 AM
02/25/06 02:54 AM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,356 Austin, TX
USMom
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
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Posts: 7,356
Austin, TX
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I have to make a note here. If your glider is doing the Ray Charles thing, I call it the bobble head thing, and it is not known to be blind, this is a glider in extreme distress and needs a vet ASAP. I am not trying to take this off topic. If the glider can not hold its head still, then it is likely near death, and you need medical help for it to survive. If your glider is blind, you already know what it's head movements look like, so you will know if it is not right.
Shawna Who are you networked with? Networking could save your gliders life. Create one now.
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84796
02/25/06 11:58 PM
02/25/06 11:58 PM
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Anonymous
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Shawna- she has a corneal ulcer in her left eye.SHe is already under the care of my vet <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" /> she is on baytril and vetropolycin ointment.
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84797
02/26/06 02:02 AM
02/26/06 02:02 AM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,356 Austin, TX
USMom
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
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Posts: 7,356
Austin, TX
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I have had one of those, and the ulcer itself didn't hurt, light really, really hurt my eyes. I hope she gets better soon! I just wanted people who are seeing that symptom for the first time to not think "Gee she's blind" and ignore a potentially deadly symptom.
Shawna Who are you networked with? Networking could save your gliders life. Create one now.
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84798
02/26/06 02:19 AM
02/26/06 02:19 AM
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Anonymous
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aw... thats awesome you adopted them!
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84799
02/26/06 02:33 PM
02/26/06 02:33 PM
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Anonymous
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My friend had a glider that was blind she gave them to Meredith because of her own family medical problems but one thing I thought was neat is that her non-blind glider did help the blind one. With her gliders she did not move the wheel around to different places and always kept platforms and pouches in the same place also with the feeding stations and water bottle.
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84800
02/27/06 05:20 PM
02/27/06 05:20 PM
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That is very neat that the other glider did not turn on the blind glider. Gives just even more insight to the personalities they have. Very neat!
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84801
03/01/06 05:40 AM
03/01/06 05:40 AM
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Anonymous
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what exactly does the 'ray charles thing' look like... anyone have a video of it or anything like that?
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84803
03/06/06 05:43 AM
03/06/06 05:43 AM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,889 Springfield/Eugene, OR
kitsune
Glider Slave
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Glider Slave
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,889
Springfield/Eugene, OR
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charlie, i think you've got some great advice but my blind girl violet was quite capable of navigating her cage and playing with confusing toys...i never saw her fall once, on the contrary, her grip was like a vice. she was in a 5x3x2' cage. what i found helped a lot was the type of bars the cage had, it was a 1/2"x1/2" mesh, and it was very easy for her to grip and climb so she could find her way around. one of the major things i would notice about her is the fact that she'd be up and about during the day, but was always the only one up...what truly amazed me was her ability to find and enter any kind of pouch placed anywhere in her cage. i could move everything around and she was absolutely fine. i noticed her click a lot, i would not be suprised if she was using some sort of echolocation. i know that there are blind humans that use it. she never had any issues with eating, she was quite a chunker and held her own around the food bowl, and she was absolutely addicted to running in the wheel, although after a particularly close brush with the Bridge she stopped running in the wheel normally and would instead run in circles at the bottom of the wheel. she had an excellent sense of smell and would be exactly where she needed to be to get treats before anyone else even realized i had them out. she never was able to glide, only do backflips. her stubby little tail would twitch upward like a switch and she would make a full turn in the air and land on all fours. she was quite prone to walking off the end of my arm if she was upset, but only fell because she was convinced somethng would be in front of her to grab onto...i could not have shaken her grip if my life depended on it. she was a special girl...such a survivor...just remember, animals can adapt in amazing ways. the only way i could tell she was blind was the way she stuck her nose straight up in the air when she was out of her cage, instead of looking around. she was very old and crotchety but she had better senses than any of her cagemates.
Beth Glide free Dimitri and Tegan and right-side up!
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84804
03/09/06 10:50 PM
03/09/06 10:50 PM
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Anonymous
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Any advice for getting a blind glider used to a new cage?
I'm bringing a little blind girl home on Saturday and I want to make her transition to her new home as comfortable as possible. At this point, she seems to have adapted pretty well and gets around okay... but with changing to a brand new cage in a whole new environment may be kind of hard on her, so any tips/advice is more than welcome <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" />. Thanks!
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84805
03/10/06 08:05 AM
03/10/06 08:05 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,788 Cleveland, Ohio
sugarglidersuz
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,788
Cleveland, Ohio
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Just make sure that the cage is not very tall (no more than 18" or so). Then, make sure that everything she "needs" is placed low down in the cage. Put up hammocks at various points to catch her if she falls while exploring. Place one of her old pouches in the new nesting area so that she can smell it & locate it easily. Congrats on your new little one! God Bless You!
Suz Enyedy Carina & Coobah Allira & Gizmo Picasso, Trinity Joy & Luna DaisyMae; Darwin; Mareki; Mambo; Pika; Cricky; Reggie & Bobo, Pepe & Bittah Suz' Sugar Gliders
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84806
03/11/06 03:03 PM
03/11/06 03:03 PM
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Anonymous
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Thanks Suz! I really like the idea of hammocks all over. I hadn't thought of that. The cage I have for her is shorter than my others... but it's still taller than 18". I do have several shelves and ledges in it already, but I'll be sure to strategically place the hammocks around to hopefully prevent any serious falls.
Well I'm on my way to pick her up this afternoon, I'm very excited <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84807
03/15/06 10:54 AM
03/15/06 10:54 AM
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Anonymous
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This makes me miss my blind cat. If a glider is anything like my cat was they are so fun. Their other senses kick right in and away they go like nothing is wrong. WE would have to leave the fod bowl in the same spot everytime. When we moved we had a blast watching Him get used to everything again. SO putting your new glider in a new cage would take some watching and learning. If you notice she is withdrawn find out what she is missing or not finding(in a sense) I commend you all with Blind Gliders for taking them in and caring for them. YOu all give me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. It makes my heart warm.
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84808
03/30/06 10:37 AM
03/30/06 10:37 AM
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Anonymous
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Hi everyone, I recently adopted a blind glider and she is responding very well to the new environment. She is 3yrs and my 2 6month old gliders love her. I do have a possible problem though. She is constantly urinating, little drops all of the time. I am posting it here because I don't know if she is doing partly because she is blind or if this is age or something else. My guess is bladder infection, but that is based on human info. Do you guys have this problem? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84809
03/30/06 05:53 PM
03/30/06 05:53 PM
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Anonymous
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I've only had Adia, my blind girl, for a few weeks now... and she is just a young joey (about 3 mos. OOP)... but I've haven't noticed her peeing excessively. I saw your other post where people were suggesting the possibility of her marking/scenting her way around... and while I suppose that's possible, Adia doesn't do that at all. I definitely would suggest a vet check for a UTI, just in case <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" />.
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84810
03/31/06 08:24 PM
03/31/06 08:24 PM
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Anonymous
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thanks stephiy, I was guessing that is what it was but with the blind issue others have suggested it is a scent trail so I am deffinately taking her in since this doesn't seem to be a normal thing. Thanks again
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84812
05/03/06 02:14 PM
05/03/06 02:14 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,689 most beautiful place on earth
Gliderbuff
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Glider Slave
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,689
most beautiful place on earth
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Hey everybody! I'm back and have a problem (go figure, right?) My sweet Rose came home with me just real close to a year ago. She weighs 77g and is so sweet. she is still a bit scared of things but she is with Fox now so I know he will be a good partner for her. I have taken her to my vet and gave her Vetropolycin and Atropine Sulfate ointments that I give to her twice a day. I don't want her to lose her eye, but it's clouded and grey. Does anyone have any advice for my baby Rose to help her be more comfortable.
Live Deliberately... Initiate Change...
I believe in argument for the purpose of individual revelation.
Be overly kind, for everyone you meet is in some kind of battle.
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: ]
#84814
05/20/06 03:47 PM
05/20/06 03:47 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,689 most beautiful place on earth
Gliderbuff
Glider Slave
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Glider Slave
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,689
most beautiful place on earth
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Rose's eye was almost like pus. I Really trust my vet and she gave me some medication cremes and drops. She is the newest one to my house and also among the sweetest. Anyway, the vet said she probably has glaucoma. I am still giving the drops per her instructions, and my vet wants to see her in a month, but there has been SO MUCH IMPROVEMENT!!! She still has fluid but it's nowhere as thick as it was. Please Keep Rose in your thoughts and prayers. More info as it comes. Thanks for the support. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" />
Live Deliberately... Initiate Change...
I believe in argument for the purpose of individual revelation.
Be overly kind, for everyone you meet is in some kind of battle.
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: Gliderbuff]
#268318
04/22/07 09:03 PM
04/22/07 09:03 PM
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,297 Quincy, IL
glidrz5
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
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Posts: 7,297
Quincy, IL
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Chris Illusion, Malcom, Isabell, Annabelle, Zach, Isis, Aly & Indy AND Miss Emmy & Miss Chloe kitties My Angels: You are always in my heart. You've flown to the rainbow and wait there for me Someday I will join you together to be
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: glidrz5]
#327123
06/29/07 01:38 AM
06/29/07 01:38 AM
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Anonymous
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My experience with blind gliders is with gliders who were blind from birth. Cataracts
Pearl and Serge are completely blind(hence Pearl's name) and Maryanne and Z'or have slightly opaque lenses.
When these kiddos came OOP their parents rejected them so it fell to me to wean them. In a couple of cases I had to have subcutaneous saline injections to keep them hydrated.
Maryanne and Pearl live in a huge cage with their father. It measures 5'x4'x4'. There are branches attached to sides, a floating shelf, ropes to climb on, etc. The other cages are slightly smaller.
All my gliders get out of cage time and even the blind gliders enjoy it. Because we have a few there are plenty of scent trails for them to follow while they explore.
Once the blind kids were eating on their own the family unit began treating them like any other member. They chase, fight, love just like sighted gliders.
I tried the vit E treatment with all four of mine(they were born here, the last litters of older couples) and it helped with two of them.
I do recommend placing food and water in the same place in the cage. They can find their food by scent but it helps to accustom them to a routine.
The greatest thing I ever witnessed was the day Maryanne flew for the first time. Hubby had her on his arm and started scratching the back of the leather love seat. I watched Maryanne move her head back and forth targeting then suddenly she jumped and spread her wings. It was only a leap about one foot laterally and a one foot descent but when she landed there was a look of incredible joy on her face.
That day confirmed for me that all animals have emotions.
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: LSardou]
#560450
05/30/08 06:32 AM
05/30/08 06:32 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,788 Cleveland, Ohio
sugarglidersuz
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,788
Cleveland, Ohio
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In reviewing this thread, I realized that I never posted any pictures of Pika's cage here Thought I had, but since not... I'll do so now Here an overview of Pika's cage. I had -3- Shelf Hammocks at varying heights in the cage. Two of them were half-size and one was full-size.
This is another view of the cage where you can see the varying positions of the hammocks:
And this shows a close up of her pouch. Because she would stumble getting in and out of her pouch, I lowered it to the very bottom of the cage and positioned the lowest hammock about 3" off the floor, so that there was a "safety net" to catch her.
Note that there are only a few, very simple toys in the cage. Also, Pika didn't have a wheel because even before she went blind, she never knew how to use one. To prevent possible injury, I simply removed it entirely once she went blind. However, if your blind glider already knows how to use a wheel, then placing a shelf hammock just below the opening to the wheel will give a "safety net" in case of stumbling upon exit from the wheel.
Suz Enyedy Carina & Coobah Allira & Gizmo Picasso, Trinity Joy & Luna DaisyMae; Darwin; Mareki; Mambo; Pika; Cricky; Reggie & Bobo, Pepe & Bittah Suz' Sugar Gliders
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: sugarglidersuz]
#560527
05/30/08 08:53 AM
05/30/08 08:53 AM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,356 Austin, TX
USMom
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,356
Austin, TX
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Suz, you suggest a very short cage, but Clyde has been in a pvc coated wire cage his whole life, and can't navigate the bars in a flight type cage very well. If he's losing/lost his sight, I don't want to chance that. His cage is 4' tall, with some shelves in it. Do you think, with hammocks it would be okay? Or should I look into buying a shorter cage for him?
Shawna Who are you networked with? Networking could save your gliders life. Create one now.
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: USMom]
#560560
05/30/08 09:41 AM
05/30/08 09:41 AM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,788 Cleveland, Ohio
sugarglidersuz
Glideritis Anonymous
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Glideritis Anonymous
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,788
Cleveland, Ohio
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CharlieH actually recommended the shorter cages. I did refer someone with a blind joey to a short cage because the joey wouldn't know how to navigate a larger cage at all But, in Pika's cage, I kept her in her standard cage even after her blindness. The hammocks were perfect and kept her from being able to hurt if/when she stumbled and fell. I think putting hammocks in Clyde's accustomed cage will be the perfect solution for him.
Suz Enyedy Carina & Coobah Allira & Gizmo Picasso, Trinity Joy & Luna DaisyMae; Darwin; Mareki; Mambo; Pika; Cricky; Reggie & Bobo, Pepe & Bittah Suz' Sugar Gliders
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Re: Caring For Blind Gliders
[Re: sugarglidersuz]
#560876
05/30/08 06:21 PM
05/30/08 06:21 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,356 Austin, TX
USMom
Serious Glideritis
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Serious Glideritis
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,356
Austin, TX
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Should I remove the branches that I have in there? I think I will anyway...Will the hammocks confuse him?
Shawna Who are you networked with? Networking could save your gliders life. Create one now.
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