need help with sick sugar glider

[patspoohbear]

My 10+ sugar glider is not wanting to eat. Very lethargic. She ate fairly well yesterday but has not had sufficient bowel movement for amount eaten. Took to vet on Friday as she was impacted. Giving her subQ fluids. Has anyone experienced similar issues with their sugar glider?

[astra]

i will direct some sg ppl to your thread.
Please keep checking often

In the meantime, please answer in detail:

a. what do you feed it daily and in what amounts?
b. daily activites
c. other pets in the house?
d. what is their cage like (large, small etc)
e. do they get out of cage time and if yes, is there anything in the room that might be toxic? house plants etc?

BRB

[astra]

sent a few private messages to our sugar glider people.
Please keep checking back often.
Hope, someone will be here to help soon.:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Best Life]

Thank you, Astra! I'm helping Patspoohbear keep an eye on the thread for replies. Hopefully she will be right back to respond to questions.

I know this glider and mom and the glider is very well cared for. (this is the mom that successfully wilded out squirrels Rickey and Remus for me!) Large, lovely SG cage, Diet has been carefully researched and thought out her whole life. To see her (and her mom) feeling so poorly is just heartbreaking. I suggested to her to post in Non Life Threatening squirrel section because I didn't think anyone would see it in the "other critters" section. Hope that's okay. Didn't know where else to go.

Thanks again for responding so quickly and sending out the SOS.

Squidge, Blossom and Pandi's mom

[astra]

Thank you, Astra! I'm helping Patspoohbear keep an eye on the thread for replies. Hopefully she will be right back to respond to questions.

I know this glider and mom and the glider is very well cared for. (this is the mom that successfully wilded out squirrels Rickey and Remus for me!) Large, lovely SG cage, Diet has been carefully researched and thought out her whole life. To see her (and her mom) feeling so poorly is just heartbreaking. I suggested to her to post in Non Life Threatening squirrel section because I didn't think anyone would see it in the "other critters" section. Hope that's okay. Didn't know where else to go.

Thanks again for responding so quickly and sending out the SOS.

Squidge, Blossom and Pandi's mom
HI Best Life,

You did the right thing - posting it here. It would have gotten lost in the other critter section.
Actually emergency forums are for all critters, squirrels or not, because emergencies do not discriminate, right?...
those other critter sections are more for enjoying and getting to know other critters.

So, this is in the right place.
Thanks for the info - that will help our glider ppl rule out things.

So, let's wait and see.
yes, please keep checking often - someone should respond soon.:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Mrs Skul]

:wave123 Hi Pat Welcome to TSB :Welcome
Pappy is the one you need to talk to. I can help a little. I have seen constipation in Flyers and Gray Squirrels Baby and Adults. Is she Drinking any Water? Are you feeding her with a Syringe or eye dropper? Has she been Peeing ok? When did she pee last? When was the last time she Pooped on her own and how much, & how many? How much Pooh did the Vet get out and was all of it Hard or soft? She is dehydrated that is why the vet gave her the fluids. Not enough fluids will stop the Pooh from moving along. Then the Tummy hurts and a Domino Effect. Push Fluids. If you have a Syringe or Eye dropper. Use that. Can you check to see if she is Dehydrated? You can Pull her skin up between the Shoulders. Then let it go. It should spring right back down quickly. The slower it goes down the more Dehydrated she is. The other thing is What is her Diet like? High Calcium Fresh Vegatables and Fruit. What about Protean? How many Meal Worms, or Wax-worms are you feeding? Did she stop eating them also? I Know you must be feeding a good Diet, She is 10+ years. I would give her some Molasses and water, Or Maple Syrup and Water. That will give her some calcium, and Energy. You wont it to be sweet so she will wont to Drink it. It will look like Ice Tea or a little darker. Just taste it. "I would give her the fluids every 15 to 20 min. Drop by Drop if you have to, until you can get her back into the Vets tomorrow." Offer her Favorite Fruit the more Juice the better. Try to keep her warm. Use a rice Buddy or a Heating Pad half under the cages and half out. So if she gets to hot, she can move off. You need to put her in a small cage for now. It is easer to keep warm and watch for Pee and Pooh. :thumbsup3Astra did you send her my Number? Lets Nurse this Lady back to Good Health. :thumbsup3 I am sending you a PM with my Phone Number. Please Call if you need. I am Up all night with my Flying Squirrels.I am Dyslexic and have trouble typing. Easer to talk over the phone. If and when Pappy gets up she will check in and see we need her Glider Expertise. She has a BUNCH! :D I will be checking in throughout the night to see if you post. Good Luck, I am Praying for this Little Lady. CM918
PS
One more thing. I am not sure how long a SugarGlider will Live in captivity. Her Body might just be giving out. :shakehead

[Best Life]

Thanks, Mrs. Skul :thankyou

She's getting sub q's at home and also at the vet all last week. She hasn't been able to take in enough oral fluids to keep her properly hydrated. Basics are covered, I think, with the fluids, heat and the smaller cage. Patspoohbear can give detailed info when she is back on. SG doesn't want to eat anything, but did eat a little on Saturday. Sunday it's back to no appetite and just wants to be in her mommy's shirt.

Forgot to mention that her breathing appears somewhat rapid as well. Vet listened to her with stethoscope for quite a while and hears no sign of infection, etc., so the cause is unknown.

Impacted poop was a total surprise that suddenly presented during the vet visit on Friday. Large and hard and I think required vet assistance to remove. Was checked for parasites and had none. She had been making little poops and peeing, so there was no prior indication of the impaction.

[Arwen's Mom]

I am sorry you are having this problem with your glider. I am also glad you have already taken her to a vet. As a member of a couple sugar glider forums it is very distressing how many people ask for help for sick gliders, and either dont or wont take them to a vet for various reasons.

I have seen pumpkin recommended for constipation (and diarrhea). Fresh or canned as long as there are no spices added.

I have found that watermelon works well also.

Maple syrup and water is great, but please use ONLY NATURAL maple syrup and NOT a table blend like aunt jemima or log cabin. They are mostly corn syrup and all junk.

I have never heard of using molasses for constipation, hummmm, will need to do more research on that. I beleive in and use home remedies, so this is of interest to me. The only thing I would caution on the molasses is to use organic unsulfered, and be aware that it is high in iron.

I will also pop on a forum or two and ask for other advice for you. PLease keep us updated

[Best Life]

Thank you so much!

[Jackie in Tampa]

Pat I hope your princess is doing better, let me know if I can help with anything. She is a sweetie:grouphug

[Charley Chuckles]

:wave123 Abby here :thankyou Astra for the PM just saw it.....I have 5 gliders about 8 years old now....I have one who has seemed to always have an issue with constipation. Have you tried a small amount of mineral oil, just let them lick a little off your finger/I have successfully used it on Charley my gray when he has had constipation and it works beautiful/only a small amount and can be given a couple 2/3 times a day or mixed in food...CC loves it :thumbsup ....also what main diet do you have them on.
I take a 2 pound container Ricotta cheese came in fill it 3/4 way with Gerber oatmeal cereal for babies
1/4 wheat germ (this helps the constipation issue so sometimes I use more)
shake container to mix
add one jar fruit baby food
enough apple juice no sugar added to make it smooth not runny
about 2 tablespoons Linatone shed relief for cats (Petco) keeps skin hair nice
cover about half inch with honey (not the kind from farm stand must be like a processed kind /natural isn't good for them (have no idea why :dono )
mix it all up
I store it in freezer
feed everyday along with healthy fruits/veggies

OK I hope this has been some help
but defiantly try the mineral oil ....
also is your vet knowledgeable of gliders? If not I know my vet is so let me know :thumbsup
I hope your baby is doing better they are so adorable :grouphug

[pappy1264]

Is it just going poo? Ok, try the oil (I actually like veggie oil much better. If you have a 1 cc syringe, you can give .3 of the oil. A couple times a day. The concern is megacolon. I had this with one of my gliders. What did you vet do? Did they do any ultrasounds/xrays? If they oil doesn't work, your vet may want to add in a gut stimulant, and a stool softner to try to get things moving. The obvious concern is with not pooping comes the risk of blood poisoning (I am not trying to scare you more, but just this is the reality of it.) You can also offer orange slices, as well, which are known to help get things going.

[pappy1264]

This is exactly how it went with Pru. Tell this person her vet needs to add in a gut stimulant and stool softner. It sounds like she may be dealing with megacolon from the description. Ask her if she is loosing weight? Acting like she is really hungry, but then only eating small amounts of food?

[Best Life]

Hey Pappy, Thank you so much for the insight, I will contact Patspoohbear right away and give her the info. Following is as accurate as I can remember from what she said this morning as I was not there.

She did have her glider back at the vet this morning and had xrays done. Because of the rapid/labored breathing, which seems the most distressing right now, I think the vet may have been focusing on lungs and heart. Xrays showed reduced function in one lung, and "a lot of gray" around the heart which may be fluid. She is not interested in food at all and has been getting some special SG solutions via oral syringe (obviously I don't know anything about SG's), that has been providing some nutrition.

It's not looking good right now that much more can be done that wouldn't just totally stress the little girl out. (ultrasound to check heart to start) Even if diuretics were given to reduce the stress on her heart, she has been getting sub q fluids to keep her hydrated. Taking that route would just be an endless circle, given her age and current lack of quality of life, so not persuing that.

I'm going to mention the megacolon right now!! Fingers crossed.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

would coconut oil do the same thing ??

[Charley Chuckles]

CORRECTION/when I said natural honey isn't good for them I meant not the kind in a honeycone/I use the GV brand in Walmart which is natural :thumbsup
Hope the little one is doing better :Love_Icon

[Arwen's Mom]

So far no other advice from the glider forums.

I sure hope all is well.

[Best Life]

Thank you all so very much! All of your posts are appreciated and your ideas and suggestions were read by Pat and passed on to her vet for further consideration. This vet is highly regarded and experienced with gliders, and I'm sure appreciates The Squirrel Board Think Tank brainstorming efforts. I know I always do!

The little one was on her way back to the vet again late this afternoon. It doesn't look good. :dono She is at least 11 years old, and as mentioned, her age is very likely what is happening here.

I will post when I hear something.

[Best Life]

Pat's little Zoey has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. She was peaceful and comfortable, and being cradled by her mama when she passed. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

[astra]

Pat's little Zoey has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. She was peaceful and comfortable, and being cradled by her mama when she passed. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[Nancy in New York]

Rest in Peace
Precious Zoey 162357

[Arwen's Mom]

I am sorry for the loss:grouphug

[Mrs Skul]

:sad
RIP
:Love_Icon Sweet Little Zoey :Love_Icon
:grouphug PatsPoohBear & BestLife I am Truly sorry for your Loss. :grouphug
Pat you have done a Wonderful Job Raising This Little Lady Zoey. Thank You for Loving Her, & Caring so much.
You are a Angel.

[pappy1264]

Awww, I am so sorry. Please tell Pat I am sorry. RIP sweet angel.