Rejected Joeys
Q: How can I tell if a joey is being rejected?
A: There are a few signs to look for. They include some/all of the following:
- joey at the top of the pouch, or the bottom of the cage
- joey is cold
- bite or scratch marks on the nose or other part of the body
- joey is dehydrated
- mother is found pushing the joey away when its trying to nurse
- mother repeatedly hissing or crabbing at the joey
Q: What do I do if the joey is being rejected?
A: If you are able, you can pull the joey to hand raise it. Hand raising a joey is very time consuming. It is also physically and emotionally exhausting on the care-giver. Only YOU can determine if you are able to hand raise a joey. For more information please read Help for Rejected Joeys by Suz
Q: If a joey is being rejected, can I just supplement it and allow the parents to take care of it?
A: This depends on the reason the joey is being rejected. If the mom is trying to take care of the joey, but it is not gaining weight or is constantly hungry, it is possible that the mother may have mastitis. In this type of situation, you may be able to supplement feed the joey, then put it back with the mom for her to clean up and stimulate. If this is possible, it is best for the joey and the easiest on you. However, if you are seeing other, or multiple symptoms mentioned above, then the joey will need to be completely pulled from the mother to try to prevent cannibalization.
Q: What do I feed a newly rejected joey?
A: You can mix up a formula made with Wombaroo Milk Replacer, Brisky's Booster Milk, or puppy Esbilac formula. If you use Wombaroo or Brisky's, follow the instructions on the box/container. Mix the Esbilac Powder 3:1; 3 parts water to 1 part Esbilac powder. If the consistency is too thick, add more water. It should flow through a 1cc needle-less syringe. IF the joey is dehydrated, then substitute the water for unflavored pedialyte. Once the joey is back to normal, you can switch to back to using water in the formula mix. You can also get 50% Dextrose Solution from your vet to add into the formula. It is added for flavor and to maintain sugar levels.
Esbilac Recipe:
1 teaspoon Esbilac Puppy formula powder
1 Tablespoon Water or Pedialyte (unflavored)
.5 cc Dextrose (must be obtained from your vet)
(Keep refrigerated, discard unused formula after 24 hours.)
Q: How much should my joey weigh?
A: From information obtained from Sugar Glider Suz' Joey Development Study as of 6/28/2012:
A: There are a few signs to look for. They include some/all of the following:
- joey at the top of the pouch, or the bottom of the cage
- joey is cold
- bite or scratch marks on the nose or other part of the body
- joey is dehydrated
- mother is found pushing the joey away when its trying to nurse
- mother repeatedly hissing or crabbing at the joey
Q: What do I do if the joey is being rejected?
A: If you are able, you can pull the joey to hand raise it. Hand raising a joey is very time consuming. It is also physically and emotionally exhausting on the care-giver. Only YOU can determine if you are able to hand raise a joey. For more information please read Help for Rejected Joeys by Suz
Q: If a joey is being rejected, can I just supplement it and allow the parents to take care of it?
A: This depends on the reason the joey is being rejected. If the mom is trying to take care of the joey, but it is not gaining weight or is constantly hungry, it is possible that the mother may have mastitis. In this type of situation, you may be able to supplement feed the joey, then put it back with the mom for her to clean up and stimulate. If this is possible, it is best for the joey and the easiest on you. However, if you are seeing other, or multiple symptoms mentioned above, then the joey will need to be completely pulled from the mother to try to prevent cannibalization.
Q: What do I feed a newly rejected joey?
A: You can mix up a formula made with Wombaroo Milk Replacer, Brisky's Booster Milk, or puppy Esbilac formula. If you use Wombaroo or Brisky's, follow the instructions on the box/container. Mix the Esbilac Powder 3:1; 3 parts water to 1 part Esbilac powder. If the consistency is too thick, add more water. It should flow through a 1cc needle-less syringe. IF the joey is dehydrated, then substitute the water for unflavored pedialyte. Once the joey is back to normal, you can switch to back to using water in the formula mix. You can also get 50% Dextrose Solution from your vet to add into the formula. It is added for flavor and to maintain sugar levels.
Esbilac Recipe:
1 teaspoon Esbilac Puppy formula powder
1 Tablespoon Water or Pedialyte (unflavored)
.5 cc Dextrose (must be obtained from your vet)
(Keep refrigerated, discard unused formula after 24 hours.)
Q: How much should my joey weigh?
A: From information obtained from Sugar Glider Suz' Joey Development Study as of 6/28/2012:
