In Reply to: Feeding, cages, and hind-leg paralysis posted by Heidi on May 10, 1999 at 00:35:49:

: I have been a sugar glider mom of 3 colonies for about 4 years. I have been called an expert, but these exotics are still relatively new and there is so much to keep learning. What I REALLY want to emphasize is the importance of feeding gliders. In Arizona, most breeders recommend a variety of cat food, fruit, vegatables, nuts, and so on. BE CAREFUL!! Gliders have a problem metabolizing calcium, and thus need help from their human counter parts. I recommend, from experience, to stay away from nuts, cat food, and yogurt. Nuts are too fatty, cat food is hard to digest and non-nutritional for gliders, and yogurt can constipate them. I feed lots of fresh fruit, greens, and crickets gut loaded with calcium, mealworms, and on occasion avacodos. In addition, and this has been a must, Gliderade is a regular part of their diet (you can order direct from Cuttlebon Plus @ 760-591-4951). I found out almost the hard way what a poor diet can do to a glider's skeletal system which leads to hind-leg paralysis. If you notice any signs of trouble walking the cage, lameness, or protection of a limb, get to a vet immediatiately! Ask for an injection of calcim and Neocalglucon. Nothing else is needed except a critical look at the diet you are providing. This will help build the calcium again. Last, please be aware that these animals need lots of space. I built my own aviaries and they are 7 ft long by 4 ft deep by 7 ft tall. They are able to glide, run, and get lots of exercise and I can be with them in their cage instead of letting them run loose. I have seen owners house gliders in hamster cages and this is just plain animal abuse. If you spend the money on gliders, go a little further and get them the biggest cage possible. They will reward you with tameness and be much less stressed. If you would like any more advice or help please feel free to e-mail me. ENJOY!

I would recommend dusting the mealworms twice wkly with
RepCal/D-3 by putting the meal worms in a baggie with about
a teaspoon of RepCal/D-3 and shaking em around then remove
only the mw's and feed as usual. Also, 1 capsule of 200 IU
vitamin E squeezed into the food 2 x wkly to prevent white
muscle disease.

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