In Reply to: They won't eat... posted by Michelle on July 22, 2000 at 21:00:16:

I am sorry to hear about the loss of the dad glider. Is the mother one of the ones surviving? How old is the youngest? Can you tell if they are dehydrated?

To tell if they are dehydrated test their skin turgidity: Pinch up some skin on the back. If it stays up like a fin or goes down unusually slowly, then they are dehydrated.

Dehydration is one of the major causes of death in sugar gliders because they become dehydrated quickly and because severe dehydration quickly leads to organ failure in gliders.

If they are stilly moving around freely, just put fruit flavored Pedialyte in their water bottle. It encourages them to drink, and it will rehydrate them more effectively than water.

Don't underestimate the emotions of animals. They may well have become dehydrated when, in their initial grief, they stopped eating and drinking. Now, when they need to resume eating and drinking, they may be too disoriented by dehydration to do so.

If they are too dehydrated to drink by themselves, use an eye dropper and touch it drop by drop to their lips, allowing them to swallow the first drop completely before giving the next. Hold them so their mouth is level or even pointing down. Do not hold them with their heads tipped back when you do this, or they won't be able to spit it out if they are unprepared for it and they could aspirate (inhale it) which usually leads to pneumonia.

If they are not responsive to swallow on their own, do not try to give them any more. Never try to give food or drink to a non-responsive or unconscious glider. It is like trying to pour a drink down the throat of a sleeping person, only the consequences are more serious.

If they don't swallow on their own, then they will need rehydrating injections. Your vet should do that for you unless you know someone trained as a wildlife rehabilitator (they should have what is needed on hand).

Often they will perk up when rehydrated a little, then start to eat.

I assume you are providing a wide variety of sweet fruit. If not cut some up and give it to them now. Leadbeater's won't do the trick, and they may be suffering from a deficiency anyway.

Have you noticed any other types of disorientation -- going in circles or arching the back?

The cause of the father's death is very important. If it was violent, they may be traumatized and need to be handfed. (I can give you a useful formula I have developed over the years if you want to write to me.) If he died in convulsions, or you found him with a death grip on the side or floor of the cage, then they have specific deficiencies. I have been studying that syndrome for a couple of years, but there is nothing published on it.

Let me know if that is the case, and I can suggest a diet.

Perhaps you could tempt them with some fruit flavored yogurt.

Please post again and answer my questions, or email me directly. With more information, I should be able to help.

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