Hi all! It’s been awhile since I posted. I haven’t had any issues in the past years, but one. Love my boys! <3
However, my one boy had a prolapsed cloaca in the past - was resolved on its own at the vets office. I was given a round of antibiotics./ anti inflammatory. He and my others have been fine since. Yesterday now, my same glider has a prolapsed cloaca. I used a water based ointment to help and separated him. He’s fine now.

Has anyone experienced this ?? What issues should ask the vet besides fecal testing or UTI? They tested negative for parasites. He hasn’t been straining, other than when his cloaca was swollen.

I feed critter love complete with the recommended salads. No treats right now because one of my others is a bit overweight. I do give a salad treat in the morning on occasion. He has normal acitivity.

Any suggestions.would be appreciated, Thanks!!
Jenk

I would have him tested for a UTI to rule that out.

Also. are his poops real large or hard?

Poopies all look normal. The vet gave me another round of antibiotics- last dosage was not in weight range. Hoping that is a factor. That was my mistake. was tested for UTI, negative.


Thank you!!!

Thanks for update, keeping your little one in my prayers. Hope this last round does the trick!

Thank you

Open an open water source.

Since I have done this and since several others have done it, I have received emails and pm's from folks stating since they have begun this their gliders are no longer having constipation issues nor having to strain while going (which could be the cause of a prolapse).

When you say open water source do you mean like a little tin bowl? I had three at different parts of the cage at different elevations because they loved these. I cut it down to one and have two silos in the cage now with one bowl. They seem to prefer the bowls and don't drink as much from the silos. Part of me wants to go back to go back to all bowls. They get cleaned and the water changed every night. I was just worried about them pooping and peeing in them. I've only seen poop in them once since February. Maybe me just be paranoid.

Would you explain what you mean by this, Peggy?

She means a small dish of water.

It must be changed daily, but my girls love an open dish. In fact I swear Fiona is part racoon. She washes her hands and face and sometimes I find hulled peas, and kibble in their water dish. I think they use it to rinse their mouth out.

It should be shallow, only hold about 1/2" at most of water. Fresh every day, I cannot emphasize that enough.

Pooppies look normal. Some longer than others, which makes me think of constipation.

I use a water bottle and silo for water. Is there the silo not open enough? It is cleaned out daily in my regular routine.

Yes a water dish. Not a silo or water bottle but one that can hang on the side of the cage. You can see them here

yes, you need to fill it every day and clean it, but they do drink a whole lot more.

Gotcha! Thanks I have one and put one in last night. I tried before, but didnt see that they were drinking from it . I was measuring the the water intake.
I will keep it in there. I hope this works. Should i remove the silo?

Not necessary. I would keep the silo on
opposite side of cage.

I've seen my gliders (all three of them, RIP Lulu) drink from their water silo. I had considered using a second water silo, but I have never noticed an issue with any of them having water when they want it with one, so haven't done so just yet. Now I'm thinking of adding a small bowl instead of second silo, just for extra options.

I haven't seen any signs of dehydration in any of my gliders, I just always want to do the best I can for them. Even when Lulu passed, she didn't appear to be dehydrated, I didn't do the pinch test, but if it hadn't been that she was in a strange position, cold and stiff, I'd of thought she was alive, she looked so normal (other than position where I found her), her fur looked fine and even her eyes were open. I really had to just watch her for a very long time, thinking (hoping) she'd just get up and start moving again.

Thank you for all the insight. I added a little bird cup for water the other night. If others have seen improvements, i hope do as well. Prolapsed cloaca are scary.

I will do tent tests regularly. I’m so sorry Terry.

I just wanted to clarify, the reason I do not recommend a silo is because when the gliders get in their wheels and really start going to town, it shakes the cage. When the cage shakes, the silos lose water because it splashes out because it is so shallow.

A water dish does not do this.

Thanks Peggy!
I have a Glide-arium and I use a ‘kitchen’- do you think that makes a difference? I don’t see much water on the kitchen floor. Also, I use a silo for Critter Love complete,would it be better to use cubes?

I have not found any evidence of water splashing out, if that's the case it's a minimal amount that goes undetected. I'm still giving some thought on the bowl.

Jen, I do not think the kitchens make a difference honestly. Yes, in the beginning they may, but my gliders wound up taking foods out of the kitchens anyway and I just had more to clean. LOL...

I personally would not use a silo for the Complete, but if it seems to be working for you, stick with it.

Jen, I used to use silos for nectar also, but now serve in these I use the size small.

I know you can't use these with a Glide-arium, but I have an idea that could help if you want to try using these for water. I pm'd you with my email address, because it's easier to exchange photos. I am considering getting extra to use for water as well as nectar. I do still love the silos I use, they're so easy and I haven't noticed any issues due to using one, and have been for several years. I'm still just bouncing ideas around in my head, lol. But anyway, I feel these cups would make a great "open option" for water, and still provide a little protection from soiling, my gliders have no issue finishing off their nectar if they want it all, using these cups.

You can try these in size small. I currently use these for nectar, and am considering using a second for an extra option water source.

Hi!
The silo with Complete in it is eaten up daily!! This their kitchen for a Glider- arium
How do I add photos ? I forget &#9785;&#65039;

Open water seems to be doing well so far.

I have to change the photo to a jpeg. I will get it.

How to Add Photo

The above post is in Board Help & Announcements

This is a picture of my Glide-arium. It is usually sits on a stand to give it height.

The other is the kitchen, because it's difficult to hang things in the cage. The new water dish isn't shown here. (older picture)

That is their day Happy Glider pellets. They are on Critter Love Complete and the recommended salads.
I have been using a silo for Critter Love Complete- they finish it everyday!

My gliders do take food out of the kitchen to eat, I just needed somewhere to put their food and water and such due to the Glide-Arium.

So I am hoping with the new open water source - I won't see a prolapsed cloaca again.

Do you think a should use a bowl for Critter Love complete? Will that help with health issues?

Sorry the photos are so small- I had to edit them.

Thank you.