cant find out whats wrong with my suggie

Hello my name is Jessica, This is my 1st time here. I was sent here from glider gossip . Let me start by telling you my problem. I have a 5 year old male glider named Macy. Macy acted 100% normal til about 3 weeks ago. Then he started drinking a lot. He has about a 6 oz water bowl that I filled twice (which there are also 2 other males drinking too) in about 3 hour period. He still eats just fine but has not been very active until after he eats. He will just seem so weak and thirsty til he eats, but afterwards he is back to normal kinda. He still drinks a little more than normal.

I have taken him to 2 different vets. The first one did not do any test, but tried to sell me these pellets. The 2nd one I really like. He did a fecal smear on him and said there was something there but he wasn't sure what. So he thought maybe he had a kidney infection or maybe diabetes, but he gave him some meds saying it would cure any infection that he has. I gave him 1 cc of this medicine twice a day for 2 weeks. At 1st it seemed to be working Tonight makes 2 weeks and he doesn't seem better to me. He doesn't drink as much but still more than normal. Tonight he seems kinda weak and his eyes are not bright and his poop smells and its runny. I am going to try to set up another appointment for tomorrow. When I go back I am going to take a urine sample so he can test his kidneys. Also I noticed his belly seems swollen at times. About a year ago he had a vet visit and weighed 100 grams now he is 77 grams so he is losing weight. It doesn't seem like he poops as much as he used to either. We all know when they frist wake up they poop he doesn't. I am thinking it seems to be his kidneys/liver or diabetes. I have a total of 10 gliders 7 females and 3 males macy is the father to all of them but 1 and that my female that is the mom to every 1 of them . Everyone else is fine except him. Please help have you ever heard of this? Ccan a glider get diabetes? What do you think?

I doubt it is diabetes.

Please read this thread and then call me this evening:
https://thesweetspot.forumotion.net/organ-issues-kidney-heart-lungs-liver-etc-f57/sharing-stories-t130.htm

Are you testing him for dehydration? (tent test)
What diet do you feed?
Is he neutered?
What is his lineage and color?
Was the only test done on him a fecal smear?
What is the name of the medication you were given? 1cc of meds is really a lot for a glider.

Were you instructed how to correctly collect urine so that it is not contaminated?
Is this vet familiar with sick and injured gliders? If not, please have him consult with Dr. Walsh 918-258-0040. Dr. Walsh sees all of my sick an injured gliders (which is quite a few) and is truly amazing with them. He will consult with your vet any time.
This glider needs much more intensive testing to determine the cause of his problems. There are many things that could be causing this type of behavior.

Please do call me.

(Also, please take time to familiarize yourself with the rules for posting in our medical forums. We are not allowed to use text or chat "speak" (i.e. 2 night instead of tonight) in the medical forums. I fixed your post above, so all is good now, but please try to remember that for future posts. Don't feel bad, we have to remind just about everyone regularly. )

Jessica, I'm so glad you posted over here! Please call Val as soon as you can. All of her questions are just to help determine what could be going on as quickly as possible.

Hi Jessica. First, I want to say thank you for your diligence in pursuing a cause of your glider's symptoms. Some of the symptoms you list are ones that many people don't notice or pay attention to, and catching problems early in gliders is crucial.

Fecal tests can come back negative even when parasites are present. It depends at what point in the parasite shed cycle you're at when it's done. I would definitely repeat the fecal tests again. In regards to the water bottle/drinking...are you seeing this glider drinking or is it just the water bottle being empty? Bottles can leak and be misleading. Are all you gliders in one colony or is Macy living with just the 2 males? Are these males neutered? Have you noticed any food aggression between them (not allowing Macy near the food)? If Macy does have a parasite or infection, you will need to treat the other cagemates as well. I would take in a fecal from your other gliders as well. Perhaps a larger sample will show something that could help your vet diagnose the issue.

Jessica, ask them to do an ultrasound. I had a glider that had similar symptoms, swelling and drinking a lot. His gallbladder was filling with fluid. But they were able to see it on ultrasound, and actually drain the fluid. Definatly get the other tests, as well. You need as much information as you can get.

Hello, Thank you guys so much for all your replies. I am going to try to answer all the questions here. I have done the tent test on him my self and the back of his neck went down pretty fast. The vet I am taking him to is in Nashville tn His name is
]Lutz, Michael, DVM the number to the vet is 615- 356-1152 I like him he seems to try I am not sure if he knows as much about our gliders has he claims, But he tries I have been to other glider vets around town they just want to sell me pellets.
He is not neutered . He is in a cage with just 2 of his sons joey who is 3 years old and drake is 5 months o.o.p. They do not fight over food. Macy is a standard grey. Yes the only test I had done was the fetal smear. Tomorrow I will be going back. I was told to try to get him to pee on foil wrap or in a clean dish and pour it in to this syringe. I will ask for a ultra sound to be done tomorrow but will they have to sedate him to do it? The diet I feed him is 50% protein - like chicken breast, shrimp, i also use the chicken, turkey/ gravy baby foods 25% fruits 25% veggies I use low oxalate fruit and veggies as treats he get mealies ,yogurt drops, yogurt, . He want drink out of a water bottle he uses a bowl that is cleaned alot , It may sound crazy but macy is the cleanest glider i have ever had he only goes to the bath room on 1 side of his cage his food and water bowls stay clean, He keeps his toys away from the poop side and makes sure his cage mates do the same. I am hoping I answered all the questions I would love to call val but where can I find her numbe? If you can think of anything that may help or that I should ask the vet Please let me know. I will also give my vet dr. walsh number. Thanks everyone.

My number is in the "who to call" section of every forum.

It is 806-274-9177

This glider does not just need an ultrasound. He needs a series of many tests (including blood work), some of which WILL require sedation.

You're absolutely right, Val. I wasn't trying to make it seem as though that was the only thing, just one thought. I should have been more clear.

I spoke with Jessica last night and I believe she will do whatever it takes to find the cause of the problem and treat her baby. Jessica, please be sure to update us after your visit this afternoon.

Hello everyone. i am just here letting you know My Macy seems to be feeling better. I didn't get an appointment with the vet 'til Saturday due to the holidays. As soon as it is over we will be doing all the test on him and I will keep you posted. Until then please, keep my baby in your thoughts and prayers . Yes I will do everything I can to make him feel better. I am happy I waited kinda cause he seems stronger and in better shape for his tiny body to be tested on. I went and got him on Val's diet. I got him some bee pollen, less protein, and milk thistle. I know he isn't better and that I still need to go through with everything , but i am glad to see him active again.