PLEASE HELP ME {URGENT}

Question
QUESTION: my name is trish, im 16, and i have a male sugar glider that im hoping you can help me with. i got my first 2 sugar gliders at the begining of may. i had a male and a female; about a month ago my female glider died and ever since then ive noticed change in my male glider. the male used to be very friendly and playful, now he is very jumpy and aggressive. at times i can put my hand in his cage and he'll come and lick it and other times he runs away or tried to bite. i know its because of the female dying but i dont know if i should go get another one or if he'll react violently towards her; im really not sure what to do. he seems to shake a lot and i dont know why that is; im wondering if it could be because i keep my ceiling fan on throughout the night or if theres another explaination for it. also last saturday night i can home very late and heard a loud noise as soon as i opened the door, i went to my room and it was my sugar glider making a very wierd sound; ive heard him make it before but not so loud or so long; he kept it up all night into ealry morning around 6 or 7 a.m. if you could please help me with this i'd be very greatful please and thank you. im very scared to lose my male after losing my female. so if you could please reply a.s.a.p!!!! thank you for your time.

ANSWER: Dear Trish:

I am so sorry for your loss.  Do you know how your female died?  If not, I suggest you have the male checked out by a vet to see if he does not have the same problem that took the female.  It may be that the male is reacting out of pain or sickness.  This could also explain the sound your male is making.  Sugar gliders need to be kept warm.  If your room is getting below 68 or so, along with the ceiling fan going, it could be making him cool.  The weird noise you heard, was it a sh-sh noise or a loud barking noise?

You really haven't given me enough information to give you advice other than to first and immediately rule out any physiological problems.  Especially since the female died, I would get the male to a vet ASAP and have him checked out.  If he then checks out healthy, you can work on helping him get over his loss.  

So, a vet right away.  Keep him warm in the meantime.  

Laurie



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

QUESTION: Ok ill be sure to try and locate a vet for him, do you know around how much the cost of a vet would be; since hes a exotic animal and i need a specific vet. no im not sure how my female died. the noise was a barking noise it was very loud. im not really sure how cold it gets with the fan but ill be sure not to have it on so high through the night.

Answer
A vet visit is definitely in order as soon as possible.  You should find a vet that is experienced with not just some exotics, but sugar gliders, specifically.  Since you did not mention where you are located, you can go here to locate a vet in your area:  
http://www.glidercentral.net/links/pages/Vets_Database/United_States/index.html

The noise you have described is a normal sound that sugar gliders make communicate with other sugar gliders.  It is used for several different reasons, to locate other gliders, to sound a warning and sometimes for reasons we don't understand.  However, in this instance, it would appear that your sugar glider is trying to locate its deceased mate.  Now is the time to give him extra attention and, if he is found healthy, perhaps find him a new age-appropriate mate.

Laurie