The heater got turned off! Urgent!

Question
QUESTION: I have a male suagar glider. I really dont know his age. He got really cold last night. We thought he was dead but he wasn't. So we warmed him up slowly with a heated towel and blanket... I didn't think he was going to come out of it. It was like he body was contrating. He warmed up and just laid there with his eyes open. Then he seizered. I thought we were going to loose him. Suprisingly he is still with us. I know you aren't a vet but we can't afford to take him. He is attemting to eat and we gave him some sugar water. He like that alot. He is just very weak and lathargic. Is there anything I can do to help him?

ANSWER: Dear Kayla:

I am sorry about this.  Do you have a local vet?  This baby really needs to see a vet asap.  If you cannot afford a vet, perhaps the vet will see you and let you make payments.  I know it is tough this time of year, but your baby needs it.  The vet would keep him warm and immediately start him on subcutaneous fluids.  

If you absolutely cannot take him to a vet, you are right to push fluids and keep him warm.  Sugar gliders should not be in an environment where it gets below 70%, especially if you have only one, they cannot cuddle together for warmth.  Perhaps you can find a warm place in your home or used a space heater.  The best thing to use is a ceramic heat emitter which you can find at your local pet supply.  

It is a good thing that he is taking in fluids.  I would put him in your bonding pouch and keep him with you to keep warm and give him fluids.  

Try to give him some Pedialite, Gatorade or apple juice is better than sugar water.  You do not want to send him into sugar shock.  You can also feed him some BML.  Here is a link:  http://www.angelfire.com/nb/sugarglider/leadbeat.html

I would like to know if he has been exhibiting any other symptoms before he got cold last night.  Has he been eating regularly and what diet do you feed him?  

I would also push protein.  Try some mashed scrambled eggs or turkey from thanksgiving.  

Best of luck with this little one.  Please feel free to contact me directly.  You will find my contact info at affinitysugargliders.com


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

QUESTION: he wasn't a baby. he was about 6-7. his diet was fruits, he wouldn't eat vegies. his friuts ranged from papayas to kiwi, mangoes, all differnt kinds. he also liked avacados and grapes. he was moving and climbing but still very abnormal. we kept him warm and comfortable but sadly he ended up dying last night. his position was like he tried for his sugar water but just couldn't make it. i am very upset, but we know he lived a good life. we will get another one sometime because they are such awesome pets. thank you very much for all your help and concern it was much appreciated.

Answer
I sent a reply to this earlier, but somehow it wasn't recorded.  I wanted to let you know that when and if you are ready, and if you are ever close to the Phoenix area, you can contact me at the information provided at my website:  affinitysugargliders.com and I will be happy to help you with adopting another sugar glider.