Sugar Glider Nutritional Disease

Kari Springstead

01/29/07

Sugar gliders are small, largely nocturnal marsupials found in the wild in northern and estern Australia and New Guinea. They live in family groups in woodlands and forests, where their diet is mostly that of an insectivore. In captivity, nutritional disease, especially nutritional osteodystrophy is common, as many owners are poorly informed as to proper diet. It is improtant for owners to be able to get the correct information, and veterinarians should be their best resource.

Wild sugar gliders eat arthropods, Acacia species gum, Eucalyptus species phloem sap, nectar and pollen, manna, and honeydew. Changes in diet occur seasonally. during spring and summer they eat mainly insects, including moths, beetles, insect larvae, and spiders instead of exudates. It is thought that this is related to an increased protein need for breeding.

Captive sugar gliders have been known to eat house mice, fruits, commercial monkey diets or bird pellets, crickets and mealworms, and vitamin and mineral supplements. Commercial sugar glider diets are now available also, but currently no studies have proven them to be complete balanced diets. Specific diets have now been provide them because they are more difficult.

It is recommended that sugar gliders be fed 15-20% of their body weight daily. One of the recommended diets is composed of 50% Leadbeater’s and 50% insectivore/carnivore diet. Leadbeater’s is a mixture of warm water, honey, hardboiled egg, and a high protein baby cereal. Diets must be chopped up and mixed together well to which should make up no more than 5% of the diet, include meats, diced fruits with vitamin or mineral powder, bee pollen, worms, crickets, and insects (which should be dusted with a calcium supplement). Protein is a critical part of the diet, and can be provided in the form of insects, eggs, newborn mice, lean meat, and commercial sources. The diet should be about 1% calcium, 0.5% phosphorus, and 1500 IU/kilogram of Vitamin D3 on a dry weight basis.

Several diseases are linked to nutritional imbalances. The most common of these is nutritional osteodystrophy. Those affected present with a sudden onset of hindlimb paresis or paralysis. This disorder is caused by diet too low in calcium and Vitamin D and too high in phosphorus. Most of these are diets composed of 75% fruit and 25% muscle meat. Radiographs reveal osteoporosis and pathologic fractures. They require cage rest, parenteral calcium and Vitamin D3 supplementation. Calcitonin-salmon can be used in severely affected casese, but only if the plasma calcium remains within reference of osteoclastic activity. It must be used with a calcium supplement because it also decreases serum calcium and phosphorus levels.

Insufficient protein can also lead to hypoproteinemia and anemia. Other signs associated with protein deficiency are pale mucous membranes, edema, and bruising, which are related to the hypoproteinemia. Obesity is another problem, caused by diets too high in fat or protein. This can lead to cardiac and hepatic as well as other disease. Diets are too high in fat in breeding females can cause fat deposits in the eyes of juveniles, and can potentially cause blindness. Another cause of blindness that has also been linked to nutrition is hypovitaminosis A. Poor nutrition can also to emaciation, although usually presented as weak, lethargic, and debilitated. They are generally thin and dehydrated as well. Another problem linked to diet is constipation if the diet is too low in roughage or composed of too much dry cat food.

Sadly, the problems related to nutrition in sugar gliders are easily preventable if owners are well educated. Many may not realize the time that should go in to taking care of their new pet. Veterinarians therefore have an important role in making sure they have the right information to keep their pets healthy and avoid these diseases.

References:

Johnson, Dan. Sugar Glider Medicine and Surgery, Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference 2004

Johnson-Delaney, Cathy. Feeding Sugar Gliders. Exotic DVM 1999; 1 (1):4

Johnson-Delaney, Cathy. Medical Update for Sugar Gliders. Exotic DVM 2000; 2(3): 91-93

Pye GW, Carpenter JW. A guide to medicine and surgery in sugar gliders. Vet Med 1999; 94: 891-905

Quesenberry KE and JW Carpenter. 2004. Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, WB Saunders Co., Philadelphia. pp. 330-338

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Suggested Diet #2

Select one item from each group each day. Animal will benefit from a major effort to provide a regular supply of vitamin/mineral-enriched insects.

Group 1:

  • Insects: 75% moths, crickets, beetles
  • 25% fly pupae, mealworms
  • Meat Mix: commercial small carnivore or insectivore mix (New World Primate, Insectivore-Fare, ZuPreem Marmoset Die

Group 2:

  • Nectar Mix:
    1.5 cups fructose
    1.5 cups sucrose (brown sugar)
    1/2 cup glucose made up to 2L with warm water
    Commercially available mixes have the advantage of balanced vitamin and mineral additives.
  • Dry Lorikeet Mix:
    4 cups rolled oats
    1 cup wheat germ
    1 cup brown suga
    1/2 cup glucose
    1.2 cup raisins
  • Gliderade: Pre-made Vitamin Enriched Nectar Supplement

Group 3:

Fruit & Vegetables:

Select from diced apple, nectarine, melons, grapes, raisins, sultana, figs, tomato, sweet potato, beans and butternut pumpkin.

Greens:

Mixed sprouts

Shredded carrot, lettuce, broccoli and parsley

Vitamin/Mineral supplement at manufacturer’s directions

Fruit/Vegetable Mix

  • 3 g apple (aprox. 3/4 tsp)
  • 3 g banana/corn (~aprox. 3/4 tsp)
  • 1.5 g dog kibble (Eukanuba)
  • 1 tsp fly pupae
  • 3 g grapes/kiwi fruit (aprox. 3/4 tsp)
  • 2 tsp Leadbeater’s mix (see below)
  • 4 g orange with skin (1 tsp)
  • 2 g pear (aprox. 1/2 tsp)
  • 2 g rockmelon/melon/pawpaw (aprox. 1/2 tsp)
  • 3 g sweet potato (aprox. 3/4 tsp)
  • On Wednesdays: feed day old chick

When available feed large insects or mealworms. Note: without native foods, ie., in North America, need to add calcium to this diet: Sprinkle lightly with calcium carbonate- ground fruit flavored Tums or equivalent.

Leadeaters Mix

  • 150 ml honey (aprox. 10 Tbsp)
  • 1 shelled boiled egg
  • 25 g (~6 1/4 tsp) high protein baby cereal (fruit flavored rice cereal)
  • 1 level tsp vitamin/mineral supplement (Vionate)
  • *Note: for gliders accustomed to sweet fruit juices, start with apricot/peach or a fruit “nectar” instead of the water, gradually work to a less sugary/sweet solution with plain water.
  • Mix warm water and honey. In separate container, blend egg until homogenized. Gradually add water/honey, then vitamin powder, then baby cereal, blending after each addition until smooth. Keep refrigerated until served.

Who says?

This diet has long been used by the Taronga Zoo in Australia for sugar gliders and other marsupials.