Criptic's Page On Herps - Mammals - Sugar Gliders

Please be advised, this page is not intended to take the place of veterinary care. When faced with an emergency, seek a veterinarian's assistance!

if you want your sugar gliders to remain healthy, for it to live in a clean environment. This includes keeping its drinking and food dishes clean. You will want to spot clean your gliders cage at least once a day. You can do this by washing any soiled surfaces. Special attention should be made to areas where the sugar gliders eat and sit. You must keep food and water dishes clean. Nesting material and cage-bottom material should be changed regularly. Toys should be kept clean as well. Replace branches as they become soiled.

Once a week, you should remove your sugar gliders from their cage so you can clean the entire cage with bleach and water. Once cleaned, you should rinse the cage to remove all traces of bleach. Once dried you may place your sugar gliders back in the cage.

It is important that you keep all environments hygienic this includes always washing your hands with soap and water. You should do this both before and after you handle the pet or cleaning its cage and dishes. Never handle a sugar glider then prepare food for humans. Do not wash food and water receptacles or its cage in food preparation areas.

Signs of illness and injury include; open wounds; injuries and infections of the eyes that result in weeping, painful blinking, and hypersensitivity to light; a runny nose; vomiting; coughing; sneezing; noisy and difficult breathing; swellings; abscesses; red and scaly skin; balding, a dull coat; diarrhea; constipation; lameness; lack of coordination; paralysis; and weight loss.

Behavioral issues include; gluttonous eating; fasting; consumption of feces and bedding material; cannibalism of young; self-mutilation; frantic cage circling; habitual grooming that results in bald patches; and excessive sleeping.

The moment a sugar glider begins showing signs of behavioral issues or illness, it should be removed from the other sugar gliders. It should be placed in a quarantine cage or hospital cage. Sick animals should not be in contact with healthy animals. Once removing a sick animal, you should do a thorough cleaning of the healthy animals cage.

An aquarium makes an ideal hospital cage. It will be easy to clean. An aquarium also will protect the sick sugar glider from drafts. Place a heating pad set on low under the floor of the aquarium if the sugar glider appears chilled or torpid. If the sugar glider can not move around it is important to check the under the sugar glider to make sure it doesn’t get too hot. Make sure to follow your veterinarians advice on how to care for your pet.

You can not assume that every veterinarian will know how to care for your sugar glider. You will need to find a veterinarian prior to a medical emergency and preferably before you purchase your pet. If you bought your sugar glider locally, the supplier may be able to recommend a local veterinarian.

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