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"bubbly" sounds should be heard in the nasal or lung area as it represents illness or something that requires vet attention.

FLUFFY TAILS

Choosing a healthy sugar glider has a lot to do with not purchasing one "too young". A quick short cut is to look at their tails. This will tell if it is not only healthy but the correct age to leave the nest, with many breeders releasing them too early. A sugar glider's tail is fluffy if it is old enough to leave the nest, whereas if the tail has short and smooth hairs it is only been out of the pouch under three weeks of age. The thing to recognize is that sugar glider breeders will date the birth differently, so make sure the correct procedure is known or the animal may be purchased too early due to pouch error.

SKIN

When pinched or held firmly in the two forefingers, the back skin of a sugar glider should release itself quickly to its normal position when released. If it falls slowly or not at all, the sugar glider is dehydrated and there are not enough fluids in the animal for it to function. This can occur through vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urinating, too much strenuous activity, acute illness, appetite loss, or inadequate water supply. Unfortunately, these reasons are in the not-so-easy-to-see area other than with the dehydrated skin. The coat of the sugar glider should be smooth with no bald patches or missing hair, unless it is in the "bald spot" area of the males where their scent glands are located.

TOES

When checking the feet of the sugar glider, they should be soft and very pink without any injured toes. Toenails should have been clipped, with most owners/breeders using small toenail clippers. Their glider grasping reflexes should be observed as they climb or hold onto ropes or their breeder, focusing on their toes and fingers as they do so. Sugar gliders will grasp with both front hands and hind feed.

ALWAYS GET A DATED HEALTH GUARANTE IN WRITING!

The easiest way to make sure you have a healthy sugar glider is by purchasing a sugar glider from a USDA Licensed Breeder. By law, they are required to have a writtenand dated health guarantee and a replacement policy if the purchased sugar glider becomes ill or dies:

The short USDA replacement standard consists of replacing the sick or dead sugar glider for two to three days after its purchase.

The longer USDA replacement standard consists of the replacing the sick or dead sugar glider one to two weeks after its purchase.

Learn more about this author, Nancy L. Young-Houser.
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