Sugar Glider Health

HOW LONG DO THEY LIVE?

Sugar gliders have been reported to live up to 15 years in captivity. Some gliders do not make it past their first year or two of life, but I would say a majority of those sugar glider deaths could have been prevented. The deaths are often due to neglect, poor diet and accidents. I don’t think sugar gliders are any more fragile than a hamster.

DO SUGAR GLIDERS REQUIRE REGULAR VETERINARY CARE?

No. There are very few health problems associated with sugar gliders and they do not require shots or vaccinations. The main problem associated with sugar gliders is hind leg paralysis, which is most commonly caused by a calcium deficiency in the diet. I have never had this problem in my colony and it is a problem that is easily prevented. I do suggest that you take your glider for well-pet visits to your veterinarian so that he/she may become acquainted with you and your pet.

HOW DO I TRIM MY GLIDER’S NAILS?

There are several ways that you can trim their nails. You can clip them with a sharp pair of nail trimmers or file them with an emery board or use products used for bird nail care. There is a perch for birds called a "Polly Perch" or "Polly Pastels". It has a rough surface that will help wear down the glider’s nails. An easy way to keep the nails filed smooth is to line a wheel with fine sandpaper and let the glider run, run, run! You must pay close attention to the length of the nails so that it doesn’t wear the nail down to the quick. Also keep in mind that if the glider spends a lot of time on the perch or wheel the pads of their hands and feet may get sore. Simply remove the perch or wheel. Please remember that once you start to trim your glider’s nails, you can never stop.

When I trim my gliders’ nails, I do it during the day when they are drowsy and I leave the gliders in their pouch. I pull one foot out of the pouch and leave the rest of the glider in the pouch where it is more comfortable. If necessary, I will give the glider a peanut to distract it while I am cutting its nail. I use baby nail clippers and I very carefully clip the nail just back under the hook. Only clip the clear part of the nail, otherwise if you cut into the quick it may bleed. If it does bleed you can use Blood Stop, baking soda, or cornstarch to stop the bleeding.

You may not want to clip the two nails that are fused together on the back feet because these nails are used for grooming.

IS NEUTEREING MALE GLIDERS SAFE AND EASY?

Yes. My veterinarian taught me how to neuter my own baby gliders and my USDA inspector has; approved my technique. It is a quick and simple procedure for baby males since they have an external scrotal sac. I prefer to neuter the babies when they are about 4 weeks out of the pouch. Since this is a medical procedure, I can only neuter my own babies. It is illegal to practice veterinary medicine without a license so I can not neuter gliders once they have left my possession.

There are several different neutering techniques and each veterinarian will have their own preference. Some vets use a technique that requires the animal to be put under anesthesia; use stitches and requires pain medication after surgery. Other vets choose a less evasive technique that simply "ties off" the external scrotal sac and it falls off on its own. Using this technique, no anesthesia, stitches, or pain medication is necessary.

My veterinarian charges about $50 to neuter a glider using the simple technique, but many veterinarians charge up to $150 and possibly an office visit charge on top of that.

Your veterinarian may feel free to call me to discuss neutering techniques if they would like to learn more about the different options that are available.