Cold, limp glider?

[HoneyHeart]

I'm sorry to hear about Goose

[roxyandboys]

So so sad.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Gopher]

Just letting Marie know I've found this thread - I think I know what I'm dealing with now, wish me luck 

[Rain]

I just found my glider on the cage floor sleeping - I'm worried she might be ill.  I have been keeping her warm and she appears to be breathing normally.  Last night she was fine and has been eating normally. 

Could it be this, or something else?

[Marie]

If she was warm and responsive when you found her then it's not this. But, sleeping on the floor is not ideal and it could be indicitive of something else whether it is illness or colony squabbles.  Make sure she is eating and warm and keep an eye out for any abnormal (for her) behaviour.

[Rain]

Well, she's cold and seems to be getting a little stiff. We just moved her onto a warmer pouch and she opened her eyes, but didn't move or do anything else.  It's horrible to see

[Marie]

To be on the safe side I would warm her up, if you have a heat pad heat it up and pop her on it (check it's not too hot first though).  And start trying to get some fluids in to her. I find the best thing is Gliderade, they react very well to it, make sure you have some food at the ready for her as they wake up VERY hungry.  Let us know how you get on.

[Rain]

Well, just gave her some glucose fluid on and she did lick some.  So I am hoping she will be okay.

[Nell]

And finally ... NEVER place your glider in to a cooking appliance to try and warm him up (I know you're not stupid but it still needs to be said)!!

Really good post on torpor Marie! Just wanted to say that back in the days when I used to kepl gerbils we had one which was cold and dying. My mum popped him in a towel and put him in the oven (after she'd let it cool down to a low temperature) and 5 minutes later he was back in the land of the living, and very disgruntled! he lived for another 2 years! This happened a few times over the many years I had them.

So while generally putting any live thing in a cooking appliance is highly stupid, a slightly pre-warmed oven can be a good option if you don't have a heatpad!

[munshkin]

When i found Jack lying stone cold and apparently "dead" in the food dish (he was 2 weeks OOP) i popped him in my bra and he started to move after a few moments, maybe safer than a cooker

[Usha77]

I believe body heat is probably the best thing for them - keeping them in the bra is a great way to keep them warm!

[Marie]

Whenever I have an ill animal I usually keep it with me down my top.  But I have found that when gliders start to come round they clamp their teeth around something!  It's easier to get and keep them warm in a heating pouch or similar, and you can rehydrate/feed them at the same time whilst still keeping them warm. 

[munshkin]

Thanks for the warning Marie, I'm pleased Jack didn't have teeth then

[wjohnw]

bringing my science to the room.... body temperature of most (if not all mammals) is around 37-38°C so body temperature would be most suitable - and we all have this!! and it'd warm them up gradually - just what is required, not rapid warming which can cause damage - sending them into shock etc. it's just like if a human is hypothermic, you don't place them in front of a fire to get them warm, you gradually heat them up.

[Emma9383]

Spooning!!! Does the trick in the winter anyway. may have to invest in a man again for winter!    lol. Mum put my hamster on top of the aga when I was little (the lid was down so it really was just gentle heat and it was on the cooler side) I was howling  Didn't help that dad had a wicked side bless him, told me we were having hamster pie. I do miss dad's sense of humour. Anyhoo, hamster pulled through and lived for yonks after.
Would not however make 'suggie pie'  and hopefully I will never be in the position but now know to pop down the top