In Reply to: Concers to those w/gliders who are thinking of "rescueing" more... and my "story" ( long post ) posted by CandiMI on May 28, 1999 at 17:16:07:

hi! i'm 23 and have also found my schedule to revolve around a little sugar glider i love very much. i can't imagine how it would be to have nine. i've been reading your posts today and just thought i'd write and maybe give you some information which will hopefully help you and your sick little one.

First, I urge you to take her to the vet as soon as you can. If she is not eating, she has probably become dehydrated as well. Feeding her with the puppy Esbilac and water mixed with cereal is a good idea. You may want to add Pedialyte to her feeding or substitute Pedialyte at every other feeding. It should help to rehydrate her if she has become dehydrated. You may want to try to see if she will accept pureed grapes or other fruits. If her diarhea becomes bloody or does not stop after about a day she will need to be seen by the vet immediately.

Also, please try to make sure she stays warm at all times. If she is cold to the touch, she will not be able to eat or digest her food well. You may end up having to invest in a small, plasted aquarium with a lid. The aquarium needs to be heated (try a heating pad set on its lowest setting) and humidified (two tall glasses or water at each end of aquarium- make sure they are tall enough so baby can't fall into or knock over) It needs to be checked frequently to make sure it does not become to hot for her.

There is a wonderful book by a sugar glider breeder named Caroline MacPherson. It's called SUGAR GLIDERS: A Complete Owner's Manual. It is a must have for any glider owner and has a wonderful chapter on how to raise an orphan joey. If you can't find it in your local bookstore or petstore it is available through Amazon.com. The information I gave you above came from what I read in this book.

I hope this information was helpful to you. Please write and let me know how your baby is doing or if you need more information. I'm not an expert, but I'll try to answer them or find out. GOOD LUCK!!! and try to stay hopeful.

Christina

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