Hi. My sugar glider has had some health issues related to not getting enough calcium. The problem is my glider is a very pick eater. I bought some supplement powder to sprinkle in his fruit but he won't eat it. I have tried the leadbeaters mix in the past but he won't eat it. The vet gave me some dry pellets but he will only eat them if I moisten them and they don't have any calcium in them. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I can feed him for calcium? Or a clever way of disguising the supplement powder in a form he might eat? If it helps he likes red apples, grapes, almonds, chicken, pears (most of the time), carrots (when he's in the mood), meal worms, hard boiled egg, corn and honeydew.
You can also use yogurt with the Wombaroo powder mixed in. However, you shouldn't do that everyday or you risk the glider getting constipated.
If you follow a diet that has been studied and proven to be safe, then you don't have to worry about whether they will be getting what they need or not. Before you say that your baby does not like a diet, you need to give it to him every day for 2 weeks.
If your baby is having "health issues" related to calcium deficiency, that is VERY SERIOUS. What type of health issues? How much experience does your vet have? I ask because no vet with a great deal of glider experience would offer a dry pellet. They are NOT good for gliders. Also, if your glider has HLP or other calcium related issues, x-rays MUST be performed as well as a test for infection. AND, your vet can prescribe a liquid calcium suppliment. Doesn't sound like any of that happened. Did it? I sure hope I am wrong.
This particular site does not get much traffic. Please go register at sugarglider.net -- Thousands of glider ownders there and they are available pretty much 24/7. I am "Jackie_Chans_Mom" over there. I'll be happy to link you to much more information once you register there - just PM me.
Val B
Mom to
1 human son
21 personal gliders + rescues looking for forever homes
6 birds
4 dogs
He is on a liquid supplement and they gave him antibiotics. I wasn't the one that took him to the vet. I was on a short vacation and my family was watching him for me. They seemed to be pretty knowledgeable from what my mother in law told me. He said it was a case of hlp and was having trouble with one of his paws because he got it stuck. He sleeps a lot but he seems to be healing. His mobility is improving significantly. I just want to make sure that once the liquid is gone that I have a steady source of calcium in his diet so that his healing will continue and that it won't occur again. As far as the dry pellets go I'm not really liking them anyways and it's not the only thing he's been getting. He's had his regular fruit etc in addition. I found the recipe for hpw. I'll have to order the hpw and bee pollen, the pet stores here don't have the greatest supply. Where does the calcium come from in that diet? The bee pollen? As far as the yogurt goes does it need to be baby yogurt or will plain fruit yogurt work? Thanks for the tip on the other site, I'll give that a try as well.
Hi I am a new owner of a suggie, I know very little about the little sweetie only that it was bought by a young girl at the state fair and she only had it a month or so and she had to get rid of it so It was given to me... I am noted in our very small community as the crittter lover and former president of the local Humane Society, which we do not currently have a shelter~other than my house:) I currently have 3 dogs, a diabetic cat, 2 frogs, a gecko, a lizard and a fish other than my newest addition the suggie...they are all rescues!! I am in search of a companion and alarger cage for her, him, it..I am not even sure of the gender! I was told she is a girl (fixed) but I am not sure. I have looked up some info on the net and I am trying to find out what to feed it...what is the HDW diet? Can you please help me to help it...It was very neglected and is very skidish. I am so trying to give it a better life and a forever loving home. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to feed, bond, and keep her from being so lonely. Thank you~blessings, Kathy in Iowa
Kathy - go to glidercentral.net and ask these same questions. MANY more experienced glider owners there who will gladly help you out.
As for the gender of the suggie- girls cannot be spayed - so, that part is not true. Where do you live? If your baby is a male who has been neutered, he will still have a scent gland on his chest. Females have a pouch. An unneutered male will have a bald spot on his head and a pom-pom.
It is very important that you find and utilize a glider- knowledgeable vet ASAP. Gliders purchased from home shows, fairs, etc are sold by mill breeders and are notorious for being ill and for having giardia.
Val B
Mom to
1 human son
21 personal gliders + rescues looking for forever homes
6 birds
4 dogs
Giardia is a parasite. It is contagious to other animals and humans. It can remain in stasis until the host is stressed, then the cysts break and all heck breaks loose. It is VERY common in mill bred gliders.
Also, it is very likely that your glider was sold way too young. This means that it is probably only about 8-12 weeks old now. If pulled from parents too early, the glider misses out on some important social and health benefits and can develop illness throughout life.
Also, gliders are very social and really should not be kept singly. They should be in pairs or more.
I'm glad you are looking for information and all. As I said before, this particular site does not get a lot of traffic. PLEASE go to glidercentral.net You will find much more info and help there.
Val B
Mom to
1 human son
21 personal gliders + rescues looking for forever homes
6 birds
4 dogs