feeding a baby sugar glider

Question
QUESTION: i have many sugar gliders and they have had many babies but this time something went wrong. the mother sugar glider only had one baby and its very very skinny i have no idea whats wrong. i believe that the mother is stressed  and cant produce milk so i believe i have to take the baby or it will die what could u give a baby sugar glider that is very young(still pink) to eat. please respond asap

ANSWER: Shaunee,

I am so sorry for your situation.  I hope the mother is able to nurture the joey, even if it can't produce milk.  Keep the joey with its mother if it is at all possible.  I have not had the experience of hand raising joeys, so here are links to two sites that have good information:

http://www.sugar-gliders.com/glidervet-51.htm
http://www.sugar-gliders.com/glidervet-52.htm

I hope this helps.  Write again if you need anything else.  Thanks!

Betty

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  we feed the baby so baby food. the mother took it back   but when we woke up this morning she  abandoned it. the baby is very very skinny only out of the pouch 3 or 4 days its not doing well it doesnt even make noise

Answer
Hello,

Please read the web link below.  It is written by people who have had experience rearing abandoned joeys.  

What does your glider eat?  If the mother doesn't have enough protein in her diet, she may not have enough milk for the baby. If she doesn't produce milk, she will push the baby away.  According to the article. if the joey is well fed, and doesn't try to nurse, the mother will nurture the joey by cleaning it and keeping it warm.  I believe the baby needs to be fed every couple of hours to keep from being hungry.  

Raising a joey without the mother's help is rarely successful.  If the mother is not harming the joey, it is best to try to keep them together as much as possible.  

Be sure to watch the video on the website - it shows the best way to feed a little joey.  It looks really easy!

http://www.toandfrogliders.com/FileHierarchy/InfoPouch/RejectedJoeys.htm

Is the mother the only glider in the cage?  How old is she?  Normally the father does a lot to help parent the joey.

I wish you and the baby the best of luck.  Please keep in touch.  I would like to stay informed as to your progress with this situation.

Betty