Shaking...

Hi, I'm new here, this would be my first post and I have been told by many that there are more experienced people here than on the other forum I post on. Not to knock the other forum, but I already know what the answer will be if I post this but I'm in a precarious situation, which I'll explain.

I have a glider who's about a year and some change, I'm unsure of his exact age because I got him off of a website similar to Craig's List (Okinawa Yardsales) and his previous owner told me he had had him about a year. I did the math and figured he was probably a year and three months at that point, which would maybe put him at a year and a half. I have no real history on him, other than diet, which wasn't good (he was on BML minus the Rep Cal and Herptivite, then I switched him to HPW which he didn't care for, so we went back to BML but I found a vendor who sent me the supplements. I'm military, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and many people won't ship to an FPO). We've been back on BML for about a month, he eats most of what I give him, plus veggies and fruit. I don't feed him anything on the no-no list, and I've done everything in my power to educate myself on what and what not to do. I'm almost obsessive with it, as I want him to be with me for a long time!

Anyway, sorry for the digression. Here's the real meat and potatoes of why I'm here. A couple weeks ago, I noticed that he was trembling. Not violently, like a seizure, but almost as if he was shivering or scared. He's fully bonded to me so there is no reason for him to be afraid when he's on me, and it's not freezing in my house. I have an air conditioner on in my living room, but his cage is in my bedroom and I specifically do not run the AC in there because of him. It's hot year round here, and his cage is near the window so he can see sunlight and night time, plus it keeps him warmer. I've heard that they shake when they wake up to regulate body temperature, since they're core temperature is lower than that of most other mammals and it dips even lower when they sleep... and he's always done THAT. But lately he's been doing it off and on while out of his cage with me. In the tent, when he's sleeping my hood, when we're just hanging out, and it's not constant, it seems to come and go.

Now here's the REAL problem: I'm on a TINY island in the South Pacific. I'm sure one or two of you have already thought to themselves, "Why hasn't this idiot gotten her gilder to the vet yet?" WELL, the vets here don't seem to know a darn thing about gliders. I've been to two, one thought Elliot was a dog and was super surprised when I showed up with a glider... the receptionist had never seen one. They were able to look at his poop and tell me that they didn't see parasites. No float, no SNAP test... just a smear. The second vet schooled himself quickly before I showed up, but in reality was only able to look at his poop. He said he'd neuter him for me, but then expressed that he wasn't terribly comfortable with putting him under anesthesia, which automatically threw red flags up for me. I asked if he'd to a telephone consult, because I have a list of glider vets in the States who would do that... he said no. He speaks no English, had a tech translating. If I were in the States, I would have packed me, my OCD and my glider into the car and we'd be at the vet two weeks ago when this started, rest assured.

So here's my question. Should I ask the vet for a broad spectrum antibiotic and just treat him for anything and everything? Because that's what I'm inclined to do, but I certainly do NOT want to do that if it's going to hurt my glider. I'm sure we could look at poop, and if Elliot will produce a usable sample, also his pee again and look for parasites, but other than that I have no clue what to do. I have a year and a month left here, so it's not like I can wait this out. I feel like I've already waited too long.

To give more of an objective: his appetite is the same, he's on an approved diet, he gets tons of attention (actually let's not split hairs, he's downright spoiled), he only gets approved treats, he's not been around any other gliders ever (he's not neutered and I can't find anywhere that will do it), he's actually gained weight since I brought him home in August (he was 100 grams, he's now at 115 grams), activity hasn't changed at all. No missing fur, no signs or symptoms of overgrooming. He did seem a little constipated, as he was hissing when he pooped and he appeared to be straining when he pushed the stool out, which sounded like rocks when it hit the pan in his cage, but I've been giving him a small amount of organic prune baby food with his dinner and it seems to have fixed that. In fact, not to be gross, last night he very EASILY passed a giant sized stool. Urine is yellowish to clear, a little smelly but no stronger than usual. He's drinking water regularly and there's been no decrease in activity. He sleeps a lot but he's slept a lot since I got him. No change in personality, other than more closely bonded and more affectionate with me. I attribute the affection to me spending four plus hours a night with him.

I know this isn't the same as taking him to the vet, but I'm just trying to paint a good picture of what's going on. If anyone has any advice, it would be greatly appreciated! We're definitely going to a vet, I just need to know what to ask for when I take him, since the vet here doesn't deal with gliders on a regular basis.

Thank you,
Jennefer (Elliot's Mommy)

To be honest with you, I don't see anything wrong with your glider. If all you are seeing is this shaking, then I personally would not be worried. Gliders do this from time to time as a normal part of their behavior.

And, even if bonded to you, he certainly CAN still be frightened by any new sound, smell or routine. Even the most bonded of gliders get frightened with their parents from time to time.

Since you have no other gliders to compare his behavior to, I would ask that you trust me. I have a LOT of gliders that I get to observe every day, and I promise you that shaking from time to time is NORMAL for them. ESP. when they are alone and/or if they are awakened during the day.

You might try looking into some of the diets used by people on this forum that don't include many (if any) supplements. But, if you are happy with the diet you feed right now, then you don't even need to do that. Honestly, it sounds to me that all your little one needs is a friend. Hopefully you can work that out for him sooner than later. But, Thank YOU so much for being responsible about it and waiting until he is neutered!!!!!

Thank you val for responding. This is the glider i was taking about. Jennefer is a great glider mom that only wants the best for her Elliot. I am glad you think this is normal behavior. Is there anything she should be on the look out for?

I'm not sure what you mean. If he is behaving normally, then she stays on the look out for all the things the rest of us stay on the look out for at all times.

An occasional change in urine strength or color, occasional constipation and shaking from time to time are ALL normal for gliders just like they are for people, dogs, cats, cows, sheep, donkeys, etc........ You make sure they are eating well, drinking well, eliminating well and moving well.

Thank you so much for your response. This puts my mind at ease and makes me feel a lot better!

As for the diet issue, I had him on HPW (with the veggie salsas and fruit smoothies), which he seemed to like for about two weeks, and then wouldn't have anything to do with. Other than that, he's been on BML his whole life, from what I've been told.

As for the friend issue... absolutely, not knowing his lineage at all (from what I've been told, most if not all gliders sold at the pet store here in Okinawa are from a mill in Indonesia. I'm not even sure if that's true, but there may be a good chance that he's inbred and I can easily say that I'm nothing even close to a breeder) I'm not trying to bring any more drama into the mix.

I definitely trust your knowledge, Val. I've had two friends tell me that I should consult you, and unless something else changes in his behavior or health, I'm not going to jump the gun. But like you said, I have no other glider to compare Elliot, and I've seen other posts on other boards and there was an element of panic... "Omgosh, get your glider to the vet! Like now!" and so forth.

That being said, I'll definitely stay vigilant but it's nice to hear something encouraging. Thank you so much again!!

Meant to say with the diets, I'd be interested in some of the supplement free diets. It's early in the morning here and I'm still waking up.

Actually Val that is exactly what I meant.

Glad you are put to ease Jennefer! :) Give Elliot some big whopping kisses for me!

And thank you too, Valorie, for your help this weekend. Elliot shall get MANY kisses, I'll put a few in your name too! I know he'll appreciate them :) Elliot LOVES kisses, he thinks I'm grooming him lol.

Anytime! LOL I'm sure he will!

I know I'm not nearly as experienced as Val, but I completely agree. While reading your first post I was thinking to myself that it sounded like pretty normal behavior and that your glider is very well taken care of. I hope you are able to get Elliot neutered soon and find him a friend. Good luck!

Brenda, thank you so much! It's really very nice to hear those words. On a very real note, thank you guys for putting my mind at ease and not making me feel like a derelict or a "bad mom". I honestly try to do everything right with Elliot. He's VERY special to me.