Sugar Gliders Flashcards
What is the scientific name of Sugar gliders?
Petaurus breviceps
Where are sugar gliders native to?
New Guinea
Tasmania
Indonesia
What is the gliding membrane that stretches in the front and hind legs called?
Patagium
What digits are fused together to assist with gliding?
2nd and 3rd
How long is the estrus cycle in sugar gliders?
29 days
How long is the gestation period for sugar gliders?
15-17 days
What are young sugar gliders called?
Joeys
How long do joeys nurse in the pouch?
70-74 days
What is the weaning age of Sugar Gliders?
120 days
Where is the scent gland located in a female?
Pouch
Where are the scent glands located in a male?
Forehead, ventral aspect of the throat
Why should sugar gliders not be kept alone?
They are prone to depression and self-mutilation. Become aggressive
What diet should Sugar gliders be fed?
Nectar
Insects
Proteins
What percent of the diet should be fruit sugars?
50%
What time of day are sugar gliders less active and therefore appointments should be scheduled then?
Early in the day
Where should you not administer fluids?
The Patagium
Where are IM injections given?
Epaxial muscles or anterior thigh
Where are SQ injections given?
Dorsal midline
Where are IV injections given?
They are difficult and should be given in cephalic or lateral saphenous under sedation
No more than what percentage of blood should be drawn?
1%
How long should a sugar glider be fasted for an anesthetic procedure?
4 hours
What kind of infections are not well documented in Sugar gliders?
Bacterial
What is common in captive Sugar Gliders?
Enteritis
What causes enteritis?
Poor husbandry
What does enteritis cause?
Diarrhea
What bacteria cause bacterial enteritis?
E. coli
Clostridium spp
What nematodes do Sugar gliders get infected with?
Parastrongyloides
Paragustrostrongylus
What bacterial disease do sugar gliders get?
Lumpy jaw
What bacteria causes lumpy jaw?
Actinomyces israelii
What does the lumpy jaw cause?
Infects the face and neck
Ocular discharge and weight loss
Slowly enlarging hard lump
Where may lumpy jaw spread to?
The lungs and intestinal tract
Can lumpy jaw be fatal?
Yes
What nutritional disease do sugar gliders get?
Metabolic bone Disease
What else is Metabolic bone disease known as
Nutritional Osteodystrophy or Nutritional Secondary Hyperparathyroidism
What causes Metabolic bone disease?
Insufficient Vitamin D
Low Calcium
Improper Calcium : Phosphorous ratio
What are the symptoms of Metabolic bone disease?
Weak Lethargic Debilitated Thin Dehydrated Seizures Pathologic fractures
What is the treatment of Metabolic bone disease?
Supportive care
Correction of dietary problems
What form of neoplasia is most common in Sugar Gliders?
Lymphoid neoplasia
What is Aflatoxicosis?
Toxins produced by fungi on food sources
What food sources cause Aflatoxicosis?
Peanuts
Corn
Crickets
Should Sugar Glider teeth be trimmed?
No because they do not overgrow
What are sugar gliders prone to due to their slightly protruding eyes?
Corneal scratches with ulcerations and conjunctivitis
