So what do you do when your beloved glider refuses to care for her new baby? There are many ways to care for your joey, and you will hear others give different advice. Lots of people care for thier rejected joeys differently, this is just the way we do it and what works for us.

Priority list for rejected joeys:
1. warmth
2. food
3. comfort
4. enrichment

Providing warmth - housing a rejected joey

Some people build fancy ICU's to keep thier joeys in. I perfer to keep it simple and easy. I use a small hamster cage with a heating pad under the cage, set on LOW. Put in lots of blankets, a small stuffed animal and some small toys. As your joey gets older you can add a small wheel and more toys. Cover the cage with a heavy towel or thick blanket to hold in the heat.
I have found the best way to keep your joey warm is to keep her on you in your bra. Most of my rejected joeys spend very little time in thier cage. I can watch them better, know when they are hungry and make sure they are doing well when they are on me.  When a joey starts eating off a spoon we increase the time in the cage by 15 minutes a day. We have had some joeys, like Prince who became very stressed when we placed them in a cage, so we try to get them used to it slowly.


Feeding a rejected joey

Your rejected joey will need to eat frequently. Its important to learn the signs of hunger and how to tell the joey is full. When they begin to fuss, go ahead and feed them even if early. When the joey starts turning his head he is probably full, so stop feeding. Even if he doesn't eat much, he will make it up at the next feediing most likely. Here are some simple guidelines:

day 1 to 3 weeks out of pouch: every 45 minutes to an hour
3 weeks to 5 weeks out of pouch: every 2-3 hours
5 to 7 weeks out of pouch every: 4-5 hours
7-8 weeks out of pouch: every 6-8 hours till eating on thier own in cage.

Feedings should be baby BML, that is regular BML without the egg shell of the wheat germ. Thin the baby BML with a few drops of vanilla soy milk or vanilla ensure. If none of those are available, you can think with a few drops of water. Be sure to follow each feeding with plain water as mothers milk is not as thick at the BML. Feedings can be done with a fine point eyedropper or a TB syringe. The joey will take only a very small amount at 1 day out of pouch at first. Remember, thier tummies are very small, so be careful about not over feeding. We try to get the joeys to take at least .20 cc at the feedings then increase as they get older. We feed baby BML until about the age of 4 weeks out of pouch, when we start feeding regular BML. The joeys will do fine digesting the wheat germ. I have had some non-rejected joeys that were completely weaned and eating off the food dish with thier parents at 26-29 days out of pouch.

Potty Care

You will need to make your joey go to the bathroom. His parents do this often thru the day. I do it after each feeding, some people do it 3 times a day. Use a clean q-tip dampened with warm water. Rub the joeys bottom gently until he is tru going to the bathroom. It may take a while and a few trys before you notice the joey relieving himself. Soon the joey will be able to go on his own but till then you will need to moniter him to make sure he is urinating and passing stool.

Enrichment

Enrichment is so important, for human children and animals too. You need to stimulate your gliders mind with interesting things to look at touch, smell and play with. If your glider is neglected in this area you may have health issues along with behavior problems. Make sure you provide your joey with playtime and toys.

Toys for your rejected joey:
Fun Rings
Barrell of monkeys
small stuffed animals-glider safe only
small plastic beads
empty spools of thread
small safe glider wheels

I hope if you have a rejected joey the outcome is good. Its a lot of work caring for a small helpless glider. If you have someone that can help with the feeding it really helps. If you need more help please don't hesitate to email me

Signs of Rejection

It is very important to be aware of the signs of rejection. Quick action on your part can save the joey. Granted it is hard work and will keep you from getting much sleep, its very rewarding to see your joey thrive and grow.

Watch for the following:

:: finding the joey out of the pouch alone and cold

:: seeing bite marks on the joey

:: agressive behavior and excessive crabbing at the joey by one or both parents

:: mother will not let the joey nurse for any lenght of time

:: father will not babysit the joey