RRRoundup Wrap-up

So, what did you think?

There are so many people to thank, but I have to give a HUGE thank you to the SUGAR Group staff. They stepped up and made treasure out of one terrible situation after another and I can't say enough really amazing things about each of them.

So, what thoughts do you have about what you learned? What can you share with others who might not have been there? What questions did you not have time to ask or did we not have time to answer? I know that there were a few, so I want to offer you this opportunity to continue the discussions or to wrap them up or to ask more related questions or to share what you learned.

I was really excited to see the stats from all of the SUGAR Group surveys. Some were certainly eye-opening and unexpected. I think there could literally be a thread for every topic/area on there and we'd never run out of things to discuss. This is something everyone should participate in (surveys) as often as they can and be aware of the results. I had no idea the amount of information that's been collected!

Dr. Walsh had great input for communication between yourself and your vet in order to establish a working, trusting and ongoing relationship.

This is also a little thing, but the handout TGI gave for offering some unique treats to your gliders was so simple yet genius. Is that on a pdf somewhere? I love little things like that.

(I also learned that aspirating an anal gland is DIS-GUS-TING, that Oklahoma contains an extraordinary amount of "scenic routes", flexibility is a virtue, aliens do exist and most importantly, that it is possible to have a drama-free gathering and that there are some pretty cool people in this community. There are also some things I learned at the PJ party that cannot be unlearned. Believe me, I've tried. )

LOL. Kylah, you and I both.

I like your idea of starting a thread on each area of our research. I will work to do so in the coming weeks. I can't tell you how happy I am that people are as interested as they are!

I, too, thought the fun with food handout from TGI was very professional and well made. Loved it!

I promise to comment on this thread but I need some free time promise to come back soon.

PS: I loved the entire home viewing and thought everyone did a fantastic job.

One of the more important points that *I* personally thought was made during the weekend was that we should all remember on the surveys to just answer the question that is asked. If it asks for a number, just give a number. If it is a Yes/No question, then just answer Yes or No. Don't elaborate for 4 pages or decide that the answer should be "sort of." There is no "sort of" injured on a toy, the glider either was injured or was not. There is no "sort of" has an allergy to fabric softener. The glider either does or he doesn't. So, please remember when you are filling out surveys to just answer the question asked and provide additional information only if it is asked for.



I have received many comments that largely fall into two categories.
1) Some people missed the time with Dr. Walsh and I. SO, would someone (or several someone's) kindly summarize the main points of that talk for everyone?

2) There seems to be a desire to continue the roundtable discussions or to elaborate on some of the points. I missed the last 1/2 of this discussion, so I am going to have to defer to someone else to keep that going. But, if you have further points you want to make or ideas you want to share, please feel free to do so!

I would be interested in what Kylah was talking about " the handout TGI gave for offering some unique treats to your gliders was so simple yet genius. Is that on a pdf somewhere? I love little things like that."

The disscussion with Dr Walsh in a nutshell is: he made some great points on how to word things with your vet to make it easier to open the lines of communication. Something I learned from general disscussion with the others in the room is maybe meet the vet you are thinking of going to first and start by letting them know you have sugar gliders and if they really don't know to much about treating sugar gliders let them know you would like to help and learn together. Just let them know you love your babies and just want the best care for them.
With that being said, ask if they would be willing to work together with you. , Ask if they would be willing to get in contact with other vets who treat gliders and do consults with them. Let them know you are part of an online community that has alot of people who have had gliders treated for various things, and that at times if there are issues that you may want to just ask the community before actually taking a specific route of treatment.

When looking for a glider vet, they don't have to always be the most knowladgeble, but If they are willing to work with you and learn, those are the ones that will make the best vets for your babies. :)

If your vet recommends pellets, kindly let them know there are much better diets out there now and you would be happy to bring in information on them at your next visit. Don't think they are bad for suggesting pellets. Remember, they most likley are only vets and not nutritionists. :)

I had a wonderful time and loved the amount of information and results from surveys that we had. It shows that people are participating and it also tells us how important it is. Jeff also had a good time and he learned that I am not just some crazy lady with gliders. He saw how important they are to us and how passionate we are. He really enjoyed meeting all you ladies and he says we should do this more often.

rocat wrote:

I would be interested in what Kylah was talking about " the handout TGI gave for offering some unique treats to your gliders was so simple yet genius. Is that on a pdf somewhere? I love little things like that."

Cathy, check with TGI. I bet they are going to make it available soon. It was very nicely done.

Thanks Val , I will do that. OT, how is your sister ? I hope she is feeling better.

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OT, how is your sister ? I hope she is feeling better.

She is fine. Surgery went well and she is already back at work part time! She is amazing and now cancer-free!!!!

I'm so glad to hear the good news

Something_To_Believe_In wrote:

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OT, how is your sister ? I hope she is feeling better.

She is fine. Surgery went well and she is already back at work part time! She is amazing and now cancer-free!!!!

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Let them know you are part of an online community that has alot of people who have had gliders treated for various things, and that at times if there are issues that you may want to just ask the community before actually taking a specific route of treatment.

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When looking for a glider vet, they don't have to always be the most knowladgeble, but If they are willing to work with you and learn, those are the ones that will make the best vets for your babies. :)

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Don't think they are bad for suggesting pellets.

VERY good points, Jen. Well, I guess they were good points from Dr. Walsh and you summarized very well.

Were any of you surprised to learn that Dr. Walsh had very little experience with sugar gliders when I started using him? I think that he is the perfect illustration for how a great vet with an open mind is a much better asset than a vet who can pass the test that some glider owners put them through but has no experience with consultation or problem solving with new species.

I have seen a lot of times the posts about "questions to ask a new vet" and I have never thought them to go in the direction *I* would follow. I'm not sure that asking a ton of specific questions of a vet as if you are giving them a test is the best way to ensure you are getting a great vet. Openly discussing with them the fast growing wealth of information that this community makes available and why you might wish to rely upon it is great. Discussing the sharing of ideas with other vets and assessing their willingness to do so is fantastic.

I had a great time. Dr. Walsh was great. He is the type of vet we all need. One that if he doesn't know but is willing to learn and share with other vets.
I love learning the finding from all the SUGAR surveys. It help us better educate people out there.
I met some great new people and got to spend time with some old friends.
It is great going to a glider gathering where there is no drama and I don't have to do anything but sit and learn.

For those of you who are wondering, we collected 77 (seventy-seven!) surveys during the RRRoundup.
One more reason that this is my favorite gathering of the year - a gathering with a purpose.
Much thanks to all of you who took the time during the weekend to fill out surveys either in person at the event or online!

Are the 2011 results posted yet or just the handouts we received? I want to give them to some people and can scan them in unless there's a link somewhere already. I didn't see it on the SUGAR Group site. (and don't think I didn't notice my new signature )

I have not posted them yet. You are welcome to copy them or scan them and share them. Share them in posts online or whatever. That report was made for glider owners to use in their education, so share it as you like.

I do plan to get it up on the website soon. And, as time allows, I will be posting results here. Hopefully some of them will spark some discussion.

And, I love your new siggy.