I have a male glider, about 2 years old. A few months ago he got really sick. He was still eating and drinking but wasn't really able to pee. I took him to the vet and was told that he had some parasite. They gave me an antibiotic, Baytril, to give him. Also they took some X-rays and found that his stomach was expanding like a balloon and was pushing his organs aside. The antibiotics helped and he got better for a while. He is getting sick again, like his tail and bottom is soaked/covered in his waste, and his stomach has ballooned up again bigger than before. I took him to the vet again today and they gave me the Baytril again, and the vet said he was surprised that he didn't either recover or get worse before now. He also didn't seem like Stitch would recover. Does anyone know anything about something like this? I want to take him to another vet and get a second opinion because this one didn't seem too knowledgeable.
IF he had a parasite, then he needs to be treated with an antiparasitic medication, not an antibiotic. So, I would start there.
Which parasite was it?
Common antiparisitic meds include flagyl/metronidazole and panacur.
If your vet is unfamiliar with sugar gliders - or just doesn't have that much experience, he/she can call and consult with Dr. Walsh at 918-258-0040.
ONLY another vet can call to consult.
Where are you located? We can possibly help you find a vet with more experience.
Also, when one has a parasite, just giving a medication will NOT get rid of the parasite. ALL of the gliders in the room have to be treated. The cage has to be sterilized every day, sleeping pouches cleaned out, precautions taken to keep the parasite from spreading to other parts of the house, food dishes and water bottles have to be sterilized every day, and so on. A parasite is a pain to get rid of, but it is not difficult. You just have to do the work.
You can go to (sugarglider.net) to get much better information and a lot more responses. It is a much more informed and active sugar glider forum. There is a state by state listing of experienced vets there.
I would start with a different vet and re-treating for the parasite. THEN I would also test for what is going on in the stomach.
Something_To_Be2009-09-16 08:45:31
Val B
Mom to
1 human son
21 personal gliders + rescues looking for forever homes
6 birds
4 dogs
Please get another opinion. Unfortunately I lost a glider to what you are describing. A urine Culture needs to be done to find out what antibiotic will work. But with him being on Baytril thats not an option now until 3 days off the antibiotic. Gliders hide illness so well he may have been ill for quite sometime and is now displaying illness as he can no longer hide it.....................................not a good sign. You may call me if you wish my number is below ((((HUGS))))
Thank you very much for your info. I will talk with the second vet I am going to today and mention some of the things you both mentioned. I will repost after the appointment to give an update and maybe provide more info. Also, I live just outside OKC, OK. Thank you again for your help.
There is a WONDERFUL and very, very knowledgeable vet in Tulsa. In fact, I drive there from Amarillo with any of my serious or concerning cases just to see Dr. Walsh. He is Fantastic.
Hoping you find answers.
If not, contact Dr. Walsh's office and make the drive. It is well worth it to save your baby.
You are only about 4 hours from the RRRoundup that will take place in Borger, TX on Feb. 19-21. You should REALLY plan to attend. It is a great opportunity to network and to learn more about gliders. PLus, I promise you it will be a LOT Of fun.
Is your glider alone? If so, getting a cage mate or two should be your next concern. Let me know if you need help with this.
Val B
Mom to
1 human son
21 personal gliders + rescues looking for forever homes
6 birds
4 dogs
Yea, Going to the get together in Feb would be a great thing for you to do!! Glider gatherings are soooooooooooooo fun!! *sigh* if it wasnt 8 hours away from me!
Ok, I just got back from the vet. I went to Stoneridge in Edmond and saw Dr. Coldiron. He was much more knowledgeable than the other vet. He figured out that the "mass" in his stomach was in fact his bladder that had been backing up. It was due to a UTI that he got because one side of his "manhood" had actually curled back and grew to itself, keeping him from retracting it back inside himself. So it would drag all around his cage and got him sick. The vet got it detached and fixed and gave me a probiotic along with the Baytril and an anti-inflammatory. Said he will be much better soon. I am so relieved. Thank you for all of your help, and for the info about the gathering in Feb. I will try to make it down. It would be great to learn more and be around other owners.
And no, Stitch isn't alone. We have a female too, Sugar. But they are not in the same cage. We had Stitch for over a year before we got Sugar, and the people we got her from didn't handle her a lot so she is not very tame. Also she tends to bite him and be mean, so my wife is very hesitant about leaving them in the same cage.
thanks so much for the update!!! praying for your boy! are the 2 gliders in the same room?? if so that could cause some frustration from the female even if he is neutered. the females go into heat every 28 days.
Yea they are in the same room. Could you give me any info I can give to my wife about how she can start putting them together to where Sugar might not be so mean and biting Stitch?