My favorite sugar glider Crystal died today. She was abandoned to me in the pouch of her mother five years ago. Her notable traits was one ear that never grew and also that she had the sweetest temperament for a sugar glider. She leaves behind a colony now of 5.
I have posted this to show how quickly a sugar glider can show symptoms of sickness and then die. Noticing any difference in behavior along with quick action is the key to saving a life. By the time you notice something strange, they will have already been hiding their sickness for some time. I started taking this video once I realized she was sick. I suspect that I failed her here.
10/30: I notice that 5 year old Crystal is up during the day and also not eating anything I offer her. She is abnormally concentrating on her pouch.
10/31: I see actual blood on her pouch. I take her to the vet. Vet agrees that I caught a pouch infection early and gives me Baytril and Metacam.
11/01: Crystal is deathly docile. I realize that the blood is coming from her mouth and she quickly goes downhill all day. Crystal dies around 6:00 pm. I question that I should have had her euthanized earlier in the day. One always selfishly holds on to the hope that it will turn around, and the animal suffers...
I am keeping a very close eye on her cage mates and am cleaning things daily. I am not doing a necropsy and am just hoping that this was not a transmittable issue.
I'm going to miss this one.