So I've got this new suggie, she's 11 months old and a total sweetheart. I was told by her previous owner that when they got her she was very unhealthy and almost paralyzed, I do believe she said it was from a calcium deficiency. She's got some talon-like nails, but she walks with almost a drag over any surface. I give her 50% calcium yogurt with her dinner/breakfast meal and she eats it, the previous owner said she's come a long way from where she was at. So... does she have an issue, or do they just walk funny always? Will she ever come out of it?

Video of her walking

The video did not work for me.

The only way to determine if her problem is caused by calcium deficiency would be for a vet to examine her and probably take Xrays to see the condition of her bones.

Yogurt alone will not correct a long term calcium deficiency. If she is calcium deficient, the vet may prescribe a supplement for her.

What diet are you feeding her? Are you also feeding a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Her nails need to be trimmed - they could be responsible for some of her awkward movement if the nails are cutting into the pads of her paws.

A check up with a glider experienced vet should be done as soon as possible to check on her general health, fecal testing to make sure she does not have parasites and to trim her nails. Parasites, left untreated, can draw away many nutrients including calcium from your glider causing health issues.

Sounds like neglect and improper diet.

My glider also had monstrous nails when I first got her, zero glider safe toys. A t-shirt instead of a sleeping pouch... And pellets.
And on top of that she was a single glider. Her brother had apparently died very young.
She was skin and bones and a very unhappy, scared glider.
She seems like she also drags a little compared to all my other gliders.


Here's a picture of her nails back when I first got her.


Happy to say she is doing infinitely better, I've been with her for 6 months and her nails have improved, she put on some weight, she went from a very defensive, scared girl to a happy beautiful girl. Her and I are the closest out of all my gliders which goes to show that adult gliders can bond and neglected gliders can learn to love and trust again.


So if I were you I would do the following:
1. Get a vet to give her a check-up www.sugargliderhelp.com/links/pages/Sugar_Glider_Vet_Database/North_America/United_States/index.html

2. Trim those nails! Go online to check the safe part to trim, but from my experience it's hard to tell where that is with monster talons. Be super patient and try not to knick her. Reward her and speak to her when you do it so she understands nail trimming isn't a punishment. I use cuticle trimmers. The nails should look very close to normal in a few months.


3. Get her on an approved diet if you haven't already. www.sugarglider.com/gliderpedia/index.asp?Diet HPW and BML are the two most popular. BML is high in calcium too and a little more convenient since you aren't required to order anything by mail. I think BML is great for anyone starting out and helps gliders who were improperly fed fatten up and regain health. Mine were on BML for several months before I switched them to HPW. Each diet has certain required fruit and veggie intakes so keep in mind you will be spending a lot more time preparing fresh food than you would other pets. (Heck my gliders eat healthier than I do)

4. Please find your glider a buddy! It will help lift her spirits and be more active.


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