Sugar Gliders
Medical Conditions

Malnutrition
In captivity, sugar gliders commonly suffer from malnutrition as a result of the misinformation regarding their dietary requirements. Common diet-related conditions in captive sugar gliders include hypocalcemia, hypoproteinemia and anemia.
The hypocalcemia is primarily due to an imbalance of dietary calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. Lack of dietary protein is a cause of anemia and hypoproteinemia in these animals. With chronic malnutrition, liver and kidney values are abnormal as these organ systems become affected. Malnourished sugar gliders present weak, lethargic and debilitated. These animals are usually thin and dehydrated. Pale mucus membranes, edema and bruising may be present with anemic and hypoproteinemic patients. Secondary infections are common in these debilitated animals. Treatment involves general supportive care along with correction of the underlying dietary problems.

Obesity occurs in captive sugar gliders fed a diet too high in fat or protein. Lack of exercise also contributes to the problem. Obesity can lead to heart and liver disease as seen in other species. Fatty deposits can form in the eyes of juvenile sugar gliders when the mother is fed a diet too high in fat. These appear as small white spots within the eyes and can affect sight. Treatment of obesity includes dietary modification and increased exercise.

Nutritional Osteodystrophy
Nutritional osteodystrophy is also known as metabolic bone disease or nutritional secondary hyperparathyrodism. It is a common cause of hind limb paresis to paralysis in pet sugar gliders. The condition resembles the syndrome seen in calcium-deficient captive reptiles. The clinical presentation is sudden onset of hind limb paresis. If severely hypocalcemic, seizures and pathologic fractures can develop. Spinal trauma and general malnutrition are differential diagnoses. Radiographs may reveal long bone, pelvic and vertebral osteoperosis. This occurs most often in sugar gliders fed a calcium-deficient diet comprised of 75% fruit and 25% muscle meat. Patients identified in the early stages may respond to cage rest, calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation and dietary correction. Diets should contain about 1% calcium, 0.5% phosphorus and 1,500 IU/kg vitamin D on a dry weight basis. Insects should be gut-loaded with calcium before being fed to sugar gliders.

Dental Disease
Peridontal disease and tartar is common in sugar gliders fed soft, carbohydrate-rich diets. The tartar buildup can be scaled while the patient is under general anesthesia. Associated gingivitis is treated with systemic antibiotics. Including insects with hard exoskeletons in the diet helps deter tartar buildup.

Advanced tooth decay or traumatic incisor fracture can lead to exposed root canals. The root canal is too small for filling and incisor extraction commonly results in mandibular symphysis fracture, therefore diet modification is the best way to allow the patient to cope with the root exposure.

Parasites
Disease caused by parasitic infestation has not been specifically reported in captive sugar gliders. Parasites are most likely found in wild sugar gliders or captive gliders kept outdoors. Various nematodes, trematodes, tapeworms, mites, lice and fleas are all potential parasites of sugar gliders. Some parasites identified in sugar gliders include trematodes in the liver and nematodes from the gut. Ectoparasitic mites recovered from sugar gliders include Trombiculid mites, Astigmatid mites and Atopomelid mites.

Infectious Disease
Infectious diseases are not well documented in captive sugar gliders, but they are presumed susceptible to the same pathogens as other marsupials in their family. Sugar gliders have died from Pasteurella multocida, spread by rabbits kept in the same area. The disease is characterized by generalized abscessation of various organs and subcutaneous areas and sudden death. Clostridium piliforme, giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis have been diagnosed in captive sugar gliders. Marsupials are susceptible to Toxoplasma gondii, which causes neurologic signs and sudden death.

Neoplasia
Lymphoid neoplasia is a common neoplasia encountered in captive gliders. In one report, 3 of 14 captive squirrel gliders died with neoplasia, including one malignant lymphoma of the spleen, liver and kidney, one basal cell tumor of the pouch and one bronchogenic carcinoma. Two of three deaths in the greater glider were due to neoplasia, specifically one chondrosarcoma in the jaw and one malignant lymphoma in the lymph nodes and spleen. Cutaneous lymphosarcoma has been reported in a sugar glider.

Stress Related Disorders
Stress in sugar gliders can present in numerous ways. Self-mutilation is common of the tail, limbs, scrotum and penis in the stressed and frustrated sugar glider. Castration is recommended for pubescent males that mutilate their penises or scrotums, since sexual frustration may be a factor. Stressed sugar gliders can also present with increased appetite and thirst, ingestion of foreign material and pacing. Some patients simply present with alopecia, presumably from increased adrenal activity caused by stress. Providing proper nutrition and hygiene, normal social grouping, appropriate nesting areas and cage accessories and protection from potential predatory species helps to reduce the stress in captive sugar gliders.

Traumatic Injuries
Trauma is a common presentation in captive sugar gliders. Bite wounds from pet dogs, cats and ferrets are potentially fatal to these little animals. These bite wounds are not only deadly from the physical trauma itself, but also the potential infection acquired at the wound. Sugar gliders are also injured by household hazard, such as falling into toilet bowls, chewing on electrical cords, being shut in a door or window and stepped on by family members. Common injuries include cuts, punctures and fractures. Eye injuries are common in suger gliders due to their protruding eyes. Corneal scratches with ulceration and conjunctivitis are most common.
© 2004 Midwest Bird and Exotic Animal Hospital