Hi,

I'm new to this site and also a newbie to owning a sugar glider. My girlfriend and I got Miss Digby two weeks ago. She's around 8 months old and we bought her from a friend.

She's been acting normal so far until a couple of nights ago. She stays under her pouch or in it most of her time and when she comes out she's very sluggish, and will even let us hold her. (Which is very very rare.) She kinda just looks around like she's confused.

We're giving her plenty of fruits and veggies. (organic baby food and fresh.) Pellets, Protein, and Also putting calcium in with her food.

I don't know what could be wrong with her and we are very worried. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

VET ASAP!!

Welcome to Glider Gossip!

She is probably very lonely and needs a glider friend. Gliders are colony animals and get depressed when alone. Find her a little female or a neutered male and she will perk up. Be sure to do the proper quarantine time and introductions - we can talk about that later.

Also, if she hasnt been to the vet for a wellness exam and fecal, you should really take her. You need to rule out any health problems before doing anything else.

Also her diet could be better. Throw away those pellets and give her some true protein. Gliders need protein everyday and those pellets are not giving her what she needs. Fix her a scrambled or boiled egg, baked or boiled chicken (all with no seasonings, oil or butter). If you are sprinkling calcium on her food every night, you are guessing and may not be giving her enough - or could be giving her to much. Baby food is a good choice when you are out of everything else, but gliders need something they can hold and chew, too.

Unfortunately on an exotic Vet could tell you exactly what's going on with her. Do you have one you can take her to?

Is she dehydrated? Do the TENT test on her. Pinch the skin on the back of her neck together like you would your skin. If it goes back down slowly she needs hydrating. You can purchase some PLAIN pedialyte, NO FLAVORED and give that to her.

Is she eating since she's become sluggish? You can give her some ENSURE, PLAIN VANILLA, not alot. I use a small syringe and put some in there and mine will lick it out.

These are just some things to help UNTIL you can get her to a VET but she really needs to be seen by one as qucikly as possible. Gliders are very good at hiding their illnesses until it's to late. Don't hesitate. If you don't have a Vet, start calling around and see what Vets in your area know about gliders.

Also if you tell us where you live someone will help you try and find a Vet.

It seems to me she need's a buddy, and isn't quite used to her surroundings. My glider's were like that at first, and she SHOULD be fine :) Also, listen to Rita. Her diet could use a few modifications. (Not that I have room to talk!)

An YES she could just be lonely. I rescued a male glider that only ate and slept and then he was over-grooming from lonliness. She really does need a friend.

And Welcome to Glider Gossip!

When my little guy was acting like that, he had a respiratory infection. She really needs to go to the vet.

I agree with everyone else who has posted before me. I would take her to the vet right away and she will be much happier with a friend. I think you are on your way to being happy sugar glider parents. Welcome to our forum and good luck!

im not a vet. but from my expirience that sounds normal to me. my girl snickerz did that. she always looked so crumpled up an scared! looking around shakin like, whats this? where am i? i bought her sister to make her happy...shes not as mean as she use to be anymore now. but she still looks scared sometimes. until i shut the light off in the bathroom then there all runnin aorund an playing. she just simply doesnt like the light! lol. try sitting with her in the dark or with a night light. itll take a while for her to move. but maybe shell move more with a friend in there with her. i didnt think i saw a difference getting her her sister back. but shes more calm than ever. =) good luck!

He's talking about a change in behavior though. This started a few nights ago. Any time a glider starts acting sluggish or "odd", a vet visit is in order ASAP.

Thank you all sooo much! Just wanted to let you know that Digby is doing fine. She had a vet trip and everything looked and sounded good. The onlly thing the vet mentioned was that maybe her blood sugar was low...but she is def feeling better. Maybe it was just a passing phase or her new cage.

Thank you for taking her straight to the vet! I'm so glad she sounds like she will be ok. Welcome to the boards and the the fabulous world of sugar gliders!

I hope you are able to get her a little buddy soon. You will find out, if you haven't already, that they are colony animals and really need atleast 1 of their own kind to live a long happy, healthy life!

Im so glad to hear she is ok. A trip to the vet was a wise thing to do.

When looking for a buddy for her you can search Craig's list, make a post here in the Animal Classifieds - and call your local humane soeiety. Its always better to rescue!

Welcome!!

I think everybody on this forum and other glider related sites NEED to stress the importance of having AT LEAST TWO gliders together. PERIOD. My little guy just passed this afternoon. He was only three months old. We did everything by the book except provide him with company during the night when he was most active. It didn't matter that we held him all day (my wife and I work from home) and played with him in the early morning. Big mistake by us and I take total responsibility for his death. I'm very sad. I just hope that potential new owners can learn from our mistake and purchase playmates for their young gliders. It is NOT OPTIONAL. It is ESSENTIAL. The breeder that we purchased from didn't stress this at all and just wanted to sell us a glider. I'm going back to her this weekend to give her an earful.

Yay so glad everything is fine.

lol

aschin, I'm so sorry :(

Aschin - I am also sorry to hear about your glider's passing. Believe me, we do stress ALL the time how important it is to have more than one glider.

Some people just dont get it. And I cant understand why. I always think about how I would feel if I was the only human in a world full of giants. No one understanding my behavior. No one to talk to because they dont understand my language. No one to play with, laugh with and cuddle with while sleeping. No one to hold me when Im afraid....

What kind of a life would that be?

There are some that will never be convinced and insist their gliders are "Healthy & Happy".