My male sugar glider has a new bald spot on the top of his head. It is not the scent gland but it is directly behind it, is he ok or do I need to take him to a vet? Or could this just be a diet problem? Or maybe his stressed for some reason?

Thank you very much for your time!
Regina

How old is he? Is he a solo glider or does he have a cage mate? What diet is he on? Please do share some more information about him so we can better understand the situation to help you.

I've heard of them ripping out their hair from stress, but the more information the better. It could be nothing, or it could be serious.

He's a solo glider and I would say he's about a year now. He is on a led beater diet and a diet of a product of dried fruits which is by Pretty Pets. He has nectar every day. I bought him from a pet store around november and at that point he had barley any fur on his tail I took him to a vet and they said it was from stress but all the fur has grown back now, but he has this new bald spot on his head. Right next to the spot on their head that is a scent gland.

Thank you so much for your time, I really appreciate any info you can give me!

Regina

My understanding of the Pretty Pets stuff, is that it's basically the same thing as their reptile food, just with a different label. What ledbeater diet is he on? Is he getting fruits, veggies, and proteins? How much time do you spend with him daily? Awake and while he's sleeping?

The ledbeaters diet that hes on is the boiled egg, honey, baby food, vitamins, and water, and sometimes a little bit of apple sauce. He eats mealworms mostly and occasionally some crickets. I spend at least an hour with him daily but there are some days when I just take him out so he can eat his meal worms and then put him back in his cage. I mostly start playing with him around 8 or a little later occasionally Ill take him out during the day but I think it hurts his eyes so I avoid taking him out during the day.

Regina

Hi Regina. sounds like what our lil guy went through. His was stress and has since gotton better.. furs growing back. Spend as much time as you can with him- even if it's getting home from school/work with him chillin in a bonding pouch with you. Mine get to chill while I veg after work before dinner on the couch in their pouch (HEHE) plus tent time and talking to them when I put them back before I go to bed for the night.

The spot is like an extension of his bald spot? Could be stress.. but also, don't forget to give him a tbsp of both fruits and veggies (that are okay on the BML list). Plus his mealies! The diet is only complete if all parts are there. If it continues, then I'd follow up with the vet.. HTH~Diana

Be careful feeding crickets as there is alot of controversy about feeding them to sugar gliders. What my understanding is is that they can contain aflatoxins.
But, do what you like best I suppose.

The bald spot on his head is a sign of maturing. That is when you can tell they are ready to breed if you wanted to do so ;-)My 4yr olds have a HUGE bald spot on their lil noggins, and my peanut whom I refer to as my pumpkin piggy, because he's so darn HUGE has a big bald spot as well. He is almost 3yrs old, my 2yr old has a huge bald spot as well. Hope this tidbit of info helps ;-) Oh yeah, an FYI on the fruits. Fruits should be given on a daily basis and fresh fruits. Their diet should consist of 70% fruits. Mine get grapes, apples, raisins and some sprinkled oatmeal every single night. They also get kiwi fruit, but be sure no seeds are in it, as seeds are very toxic to our lil furry friends. Red grapes are preferred as to green ones tend to give them the runs. They also love fresh strawberries, watermelon, and honeydew. I feed no citrus to them either as they can acquire the runs from citrus as well. I give usually boil an egg once a week and chop it up amongst all of them as well. I also make my own ledbetter mix which consists of wheat germ, hard boiled eggs, raw honey, gerber chicken meat, apple juice, and baby juice with yogurt, along with the rep cal. I've fed my gliders this for years and they LOVE it.

Paige

for a solo glider, 1 hour a day is very little to be with it.

you have to try to find the time to spend more time with your glider, whether its just in a bonding pouch during the day or in a tent at tent time (if you have tent time)or even just caring it around wherever you go.

Welcome to GliderCENTRAL, Regina!

diet could be a contributing factor. Do check out the diet page and Suz’s site: Feeding Your Joeys & Adult Gliders. Captive gliders have specialized dietary needs and need the proper blend of nutrients (with protein, fruits, veggies, vitamins, and calcium). You'll want to follow whatever diet you choose, as outlined. Don't mix and match the various plans or ingredients or you'll throw off the overall calcium to phosphorus (Ca:P) ratios, as well as introduce other unhealthy imbalances. A "ledbeater" type of mix could be included in several different diet plans. Tossing in fruits and veggies (or other food items) not included in the one diet you choose can be harmful.

Also, as others noted, the stress of being a single glider might be contributing to the hair loss. He already showed signs of it while at the pet store, so he might be more prone to overgrooming. Here are a couple of SunCoast newsletter articles you might find helpful:

Does Suncoast Sugar Gliders Sell Single Sugar Gliders?
Will a sugar glider die if left alone?

Sugar gliders are social, colony critters, and really thrive while with a same-species companion. If not given enough attention, they can definitely get stressed out. And overgrooming is one sign.

Another possible cause of overgrooming, especially on a particular spot, might be parasites or something. If you haven't yet, it would be a good idea to take him to a glider-knowledgeable vet for a wellness exam, especially since he came from a pet store and wasn't raised in the healthiest of environments.

I'm moving this to Health & Hygiene for more responses.

Good luck, and do keep us posted!