Hind Leg Paralysis or HLP is the community common name for the presentation of calcium deficiency in sugar gliders. As a result of lack of calcium in the diet, the body begins to leech calcium from deposits in the bones thus making them weaker. The hind legs are the first to show noticeable dysfunction. Legs can bend or bow out making them unusable and this essentially paralyzes the rear end of the creature and it is unable to walk or grip.
This disease is a very serious one and is addressed in most sugar glider diets by balancing and increasing the calcium intake. To prevent death, early detection is key in treating this problem. It can be healed but the animal will have to live its remaining life with malformed legs.
The best way to avoid this terrible syndrome is prevention.