Sugar Glider University

Medical Reference Index:   

Aflatoxicosis: 

A hepatic (liver) disease caused by ingestion of aflatoxins, which are toxic metabolites produced by certain fungi in/on foods and feeds.  At highest risk for contamination are corn, peanuts, and cottonseed  Aflatoxins are also carcinogenic (cancer causing).  Sugar gliders can contract aflatoxicosis by eating crickets who have been fed contaminated corn, or eating peanuts.

Causes:

• Ingesting contaminated corn, peanuts, or insects who have ingested contaminated feed

Prevention:

• Research insect suppliers and find out what kind of feed is used

• Ask other glider owners knowledgeable about aflatoxicosis prevention where they get their insects

• Do not feed your gliders peanuts 

Research:

• Cornell University Animal Science Department

Signs and Symptoms:

• Loss of appetite

• Anemia

• Jaundice

• Lethargy

• Gastrointestinal dysfunction (bowel problems, diarrhea)

Treatment:

• If caught in time, aflatoxicosis is reversible

• Change feed immediately

• Seek veterinary care immediately.  Once a sugar glider shows symptoms, death can occur within HOURS

Calcium Deficiency

Because many fruits, vegetables and proteins in a glider diet have low calcium to phosphorous ratios, many gliders experience calcium deficiency, which can lead to Hind Leg Paralysis, a potentially fatal disease. 

Prevention:

• Know the calcium to phosphorous ratio of your glider diet. Phosphorous inhibits the glider's absorption of calcium into the body 

• If you choose a fresh diet, be sure that you and your veterinarian develop a supplement that will create a calcium rich diet for your glider (see the The Sugar Glider Exotic Diet)

• Feed a well-balanced, nutritious diet

• Monitor food consumption. If your gliders don't like the food, they may not eat it. A starving glider is an unhealthy glider. Make changes to accommodate this

Research:

• USDA Nutrient Database: Find out calcium/phosphorous ratios

Cat Food Complications: 

The two major and potentially fatal complications gliders experience from eating cat food are lumpy jaw and intestinal blockage.  Diets that are high in cat food also lead to calcium deficiency, liver problems, and, in some cases, death.

Prevention:

• NEVER feed cat food

Research:

• Pawprint Online: Sugar Gliders 101

Constipation: 

Constipation is passage of small amounts of hard, dry bowel movements. It may be difficult and painful to have a bowel movement.

Causes:

• Not enough fiber in diet

• Not enough liquids

• Use of pain medications

• Lack of exercise

• Stress

• Gastrointestinal dysfunction

• Poor diet overall

Prevention:

• Provide a well-balanced, nutritious diet

• Provide fresh water at all times for your gliders

• Provide enough exercise for your gliders

• Monitor glider fecal matter to insure that stools are healthy

Signs and Symptoms:

• Straining or crying when having a bowel movement

• Decrease or lack of bowel movements

Treatment:

• Baby food prunes, and orange juice may work as a temporary solution until veterinary assistance can be obtained

• Small amounts of mineral oil have also been effective in treating glider constipation

• Seek veterinary care as soon as possible

Contact Dermatitis:

A human condition, which is an inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with a foreign substance. In this case, it would be the paws of your gliders.

Causes:

• A history of allergies

• The severity can vary with an individual over time

• The skin reacts to the gliders paws as allergens and triggers an immune response that inflames the skin

• Although there may be no initial reaction, repeated exposure can develop sensitivity

Prevention:

• Wear long sleeves when handling your gliders if you suspect you have an allergy

• Wash skin surfaces thoroughly after handling your gliders

Research:

• Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia: Contact Dermatitis

• Hendrick Health System Access Med Health Information Library: Dermatitis

Signs and Symptoms:

• A red rash limited to the area of skin that has come in contact with glider paws

• Itching of the skin in exposed areas

• Swelling in the area that had contact with the paws

• Blisters or pimple-like rash

• Tenderness or warmth in exposed area

Treatment:

• Thoroughly wash exposed area with water to remove irritants

• Apply cool compresses to relieve irritation

• Apply Hydrocortisone Cream to the affected area, being careful not to overrnedicate

Dehydration:

Occurs when the body does not have enough fluids to function at an optimal level. Any dehydration is a life-threatening situation and the condition is fatal, but reversible if caught in time.

Causes:

• Fluid loss (usually through vomiting or diarrhea)

• Fluid loss due to excessive urination (as in diabetes or kidney disease)

• Strenuous activity

• Appetite loss associated with acute illness

• Inadequate water supply

Prevention:

• Always provide fresh water for your gliders at all times

• Provide your gliders a healthy, well-balanced diet to avoid illness

• Always thoroughly wash food and check for safety before giving it to your gliders

• At the first sign of any problems with your glider, seek veterinary care

Research:

• Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia: Dehydration

• Hendrick Health System Access Med Health Information Library: Dehydration

• "Sugar Gliders: Gotta' Love 'Em", Kevin Schargen, Former President, ISGA, Critters Magazine

Signs and Symptoms:

• Loss of fluid through vomiting or diarrhea

• Sunken eyes

• If the skin on the back stands up when you pinch it, your glider is dehydrated

• Delayed capillary refill time (when you press on the gums of your glider with your finger, the spot remains white for an extended period of time)

• Membranes lining mouth and nose lose moisture

• Decreased or absent urine output

• Constipation

• Deep or rapid breathing

• Seizures

• Lethargy

Treatment:

• Immediately administer water or Pedialyte using a needle-less syringe

• Seek medical attention immediately! This is an emergency situation. A glider can dehydrate completely and die in a matter of twelve hours

Depression:

Depression is a term that people commonly use to refer to states involving sadness, dejection, lack of self-esteem, and lack of energy. In sugar gliders, depression can lead to mental illness, self-mutilation, and death. Severe, persistent depressed mood and loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities, accompanied by decreased energy, changes in sleep and appetite, and feelings of guilt or hopelessness are all signs of depression and/or mental illness.   

Causes:

• Keeping a lone sugar glider

• Owner neglect

• Prolonged illness

• Loss of a companion

Prevention:

• Keep more than one sugar glider

• Provide your gliders with toys, a large enough cage, and play with them

• Provide your glider with a healthy, well-balanced diet

• Provide your glider with annual or bi-annual check ups at the vet to alleviate, treat, and/or prevent illness

Research:

• Medline Plus: Depression

• "Sugar Gliders: Gotta' Love 'Em" by Kevin Schargen, Former President, ISGA, Critters Magazine 

Signs and Symptoms:

• Loss of interest in playing

• Decreased activity

• Change in sleeping patterns

• Decreased communications: no barking

• Pacing or consecutive back-flips (this is a sign of serious mental illness)

Treatment:

• Lots of love, bonding time, and attention

• Provide a glider companion for your glider

• Ensure that the glider has an enriching environment

• If things do not improve, or your glider is pacing excessively or doing consecutive back flips, seek veterinary care

Diarrhea:

The passage of an increased amount of stool. Mild diarrhea is considered to be the passage of a few loose or mushy stools.  Severe diarrhea is the passage of many watery or unformed stools.

Causes:

• Viral or bacterial infection

• Stress of moving to a new home

• Parasites

• Malabsorption (lactose intolerance, intolerance to specific foods, milk protein intolerance)

• Bowel disease

Prevention:

• Provide your glider with a healthy, well-balanced diet

• Always thoroughly wash your hands before preparing glider food or handling your glider

• Keep cages well-cleaned

• Remove any uneaten food as soon as possible from the cage

• Carefully monitor stools when offering gliders a new food item. Discontinue if watery stools appear

Research:

• Medline Plus: Diarrhea

Signs and Symptoms:

• Loose bowel movements

Treatment:

• Check to see if the diarrhea is diet-related (citrus fruits, pumpkin, and milk products are common culprits)

• If diarrhea is bad, administer Pedialyte to prevent dehydration

• Seek veterinary attention to rule out such causes as internal parasites or bacterial infection.

Giardiasis:

A diarrheal illness caused by Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia), a one-celled, microscopic parasite that lives in the intestine of people and animals. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive in the environment for long periods of time.  In sugar gliders, it can remain dormant for up to six months, and only manifest systems when the glider becomes stressed.  If this happens, death can occur within hours.

Causes:

• The parasite is passed in the stool of an infected person or animal

• Accidentally swallowing something that has come in contact with the stool of a person or animal infected with Giardia

• Eating uncooked food contaminated with Giardia (such as uncooked vegetables and fruits)

• There is an increased risk of contracting the disease from daycare workers, children who attend daycare, international travelers, hikers, and swimmers

Prevention:

• Always thoroughly wash your hands

• Always thoroughly wash and/or peel fruits and vegetables before feeding them to gliders

• Do not use or ingest water that may be fecally contaminated

Research:

• Medline Plus: Giardiasis

• CDC Giardiasis Fact Sheet

Signs and Symptoms:

• Change in behavior

• Lameness

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Yellow tint to belly (Jaundice), indicating liver problems

• Green color to stools

• Dehydration

Treatment:

• Seek veterinary care immediately. Only a vet can properly treat giardiasis

• Have all gliders tested for presence of giardia

• Quarantine the animal with symptoms. Giardiasis is HIGHLY contagious

• Take special care with other animals and yourself. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the infected glider and keep hands away from your mouth

• Clean other glider cages

• Thoroughly clean the cage and everything in it

• Follow up with the vet to insure the parasite is eradicated

• Clean the cage and items again after the follow up visit

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed veterinarian should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.