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Question

I have a sugar glider that is around 11 years old. I came in a few nights ago and she was very weak and not energetic. She has a bald spot on her head. Her eyes had a "third eyelid" like a cat when it is sick. The color in her tail was fading. She had slight diarrhea. I immediately got her out of the cage and made sure she drank some water and ate fresh fruit and veggies. I cleaned her cage and bedding before putting her back in. Over the past week she appears to be getting better for the most part. The third eyelid is not as apparent, the color in her tail is coming back, and she has more energy. I gave her pedialyte to help with the diarrhea. However the bald spot on her head doesn't seem to be growing hair back yet. When I take her out of the cage, she sometimes rubs her head againt me like it itches. If this was a parasite would I be able to see it? What else can I do and what other signs should I be looking for?

Submitted: 290 days and 6 hours ago.
Category: Pet
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Age: 11; Female; Breed: Sugar Glider

Already Tried:
Cleaning cage, giving comfort by touch, increased temp in the room for the first two days, bought fruits and veggies with high Calcium to Phosphorus ration like celery, papaya, and spinach along with other foods like boiled eggs, apple, nectarine, lettuce, baby food. I also added a calcium supplement on top of her food along with some powdered nectar. I gave her a mixure of 50/50 pedialyte and water for two days. She does appear to be doing better, but is still not healthy after one week. Am I expecting too much to think she should be completely better by now? Do you think the bald spot is from malnutrition or parasitic? I don't see anything like bugs in her fur. The balding doesn't look like it is getting better even though the rest of her physical and behavioral symptoms appear to be getting better. The balding may have gotten slightly worse in the past couple of days, but I'm not for sure. Her eyes look a little sunken and she has a third eyelid, but the third eyelid appears to be receeding day by day. She isn't holding her eyes open as much as she usually does. Is there anything I should add to her diet? She has a healthy appetite and is drinking well.

Posted by Karen Purcell DVM 289 days and 15 hours ago.

Answer

chronicrain,

 

11 years is quite old for a sugar glider and your recovery methods are spot on. If you have not introduced any new animals to her recently, I doubt the spot on her head is parasitic in nature. It is much more likely that she has developed an allergy that is causing hairloss, especially as you are noticing itching. You can safely use topical benadryl creme on the area to see if she stops itching and the hair starts to regrow.

As to the 3rd eyelid, I suspect you are seeing it because she is still a bit dehydrated. As she is drinking well, I would continue to supplement with pedialyte and increase her fruit consumption a tiny bit to help her fluid intake. If she doesn't respond to that, she may need fluids given subcutaneously by a vet just to give her a boost. At her age, I'm concerned that she might have some kidney issues, though it is hard to tell and getting bloodwork on these little guys is very stressful to them.

You are an excellent caretaker, continue the good work,

Dr. Karen

289 days and 11 hours ago.

Reply

I did get a puppy about three weeks ago. The dog is not allowed in the room, but was in there for about 3-4 minutes on one occasion. This was when we first got the puppy, so it has probably been close to two or three weeks. With everything I've seen, I feel like the bald spot is due to nutrition or something internal and not a parasite. I did want to double check though that this short time period wouldn't be a concern for parasites. There was no contact with the puppy and sugar glider or the puppy and the cage. The cage sits off the ground about 2-1/2 feet. Am I correct in thinking this isn't a concern?

Accepted Answer

You are quite correct. I agree with you that the bald spot is much more likely to be stress or nutrition than anything parasitic or contagious.

 

Dr. Karen

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Expert: Karen Purcell DVM
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 2/7/2009

Veterinarian

1992 graduate of Cornell University Veterinary School, small mammal interest

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