Glider Age

Question
My daughter purchased a glider last weekend (7 weeks old) and she took it back to college. Everything was going well until last night- she called me at 10pm and was crying and said he wasn't moving anymore and that was having spasms. Being new to the Glider World, we had no idea what to do, not even thinking that a vet might be able to help. I told her to try to give him water and keep him warm which she did. As you have said in previous posts when a Glider goes they go very quickly- he was fine at 9:30 and he died by midnight.  This morning I read up on line of possible causes and I am thinking dehydration or possibly Hind Leg Paralysis due to Stress might have been the cause-I don't believe it was anything she did, she took very good care of him..She is coming down this weekend to get another one and I am wondering was 7 weeks too young?  What is the best age for a glider to be to purchase.  We had a very sad night and I want to do all I can to make sure we don't have another one.  We are going to find a Vet in her town that might be able to help in future situation.  Thanks for any advice you can give.

Answer
Dear Lisa:

Please tell your daughter that I am very sorry for her loss.  I had a similar experience with my first glider year ago and I know the pain.  

First of all, 7 weeks is too young to send a joey away from its mother.  Eight weeks should be the absolute minimum that anyone should separate a joey from its mother.  If left with their mothers, they will continue to nurse for months after they turn 8 weeks.  Anyone that let the joey go at 7 weeks probably didn't give proper information on how to take care of him as well.  While joeys will begin eating at 5-6 weeks, they aren't fully developed enough to go 100% on their own until 8 weeks.  

It could have been dehydration or hypoglycemia or both.  He could have gotten too cold.  A lot of gliders are lost in the winter when it gets too cold at night and the heat goes out unexpectedly.  Gliders should stay between 75-80 degrees, especially joeys.  It could have been some sort of infection or an intestinal parasite like Giardia.  It could have been a combination of things.  I doubt it would have been hind leg paralysis, which is a condition caused by a lack of calcium and generally is something that shows up when they get a little older.

If she gets another one, I would tell her not to get it from the same place.  I would have a vet check done first thing and have her go to my website affinitysugargliders.com or she can e-mail at lauriegall at cox . net me to check to see that she has correct information.

Best of luck.

Laurie