Rejected Joeys
When breeding sugar gliders, there is the potential for a mother to reject her joeys. Most time, the cause of rejection is not known. Causes can be from the mom being too young and immature to raise a joey, lack of milk production likely due to an infection such as mastitis, something being wrong with the joey, or simply from the mom not wanting to be a mom. Typically, the causes are unknown and most times cannot be prevented by the breeder.
Signs of Rejection
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
What to do
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.
Supplimenting a Joey
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 has a mammary infection or possibly is not producing enough milk. 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.
Hand Raising
If the mom is not taking care of the joey, or if there are bite marks anywhere on the joey, in order for the joey to survive you will have to completely hand raise the joey.
Formula
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 powder
1 Tablespoon Water or Pedialyte (unflavored)
.5 cc Dextrose
(Keep refrigerated, discard unused formula after 24 hours.)
Gas drops may be added to prevent bloat.
Esbilac Recipe:
1 teaspoon Esbilac powder
1 Tablespoon Water or Pedialyte (unflavored)
.5 cc Dextrose
(Keep refrigerated, discard unused formula after 24 hours.)
Gas drops may be added to prevent bloat.