What is a sugar glider?
How do humans become
A sugar glider is a small opossum belonging to
the marsupial family. They are native to
Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia, and
Tasmania. They are considered pocket pets
because they are small in length and like to be
carried in pockets or pouches (Sugar, n.d.). They
are very social animals that you need to have at
least 2 of.
What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis or Lepto is a disease carried by the
Leptospira bacteria (Gliderpedia, n.d.). It is also
known as yellow fever or Weil’s disease (CDC,
2013).
Where does the disease occur?
Many sugar gliders are transported from
country to country. They are commonly even
taken from their natural habitats in the wild.
Leptospirosis is most commonly found in
tropical areas. “The following areas and/or
countries/continents are known to have the
highest incidences of leptospirosis: Africa, India,
China, Central America, Brazil, Caribbean, South
East Asia, and Southern Russia.” (MNT, 2004).
Leptospirosis is rare in the United States and
found most commonly in Hawaii but you really
don’t know what your glider has come in
contact with or where it came from.
infected?
Infected animals transmit the disease through
urine, feces, blood, and semen which can
contaminate food, water, and the environment.
Sugar gliders have scent glands on their
genitals, neck, chest, forehead, and around
their mouths. They use these scent glands to
mark certain objects of theirs. Leptospirosis can
be contracted by touching an object that has
been scent marked by an infected sugar glider.
Sugar gliders also commonly urinate on
whatever they’re climbing on which can include
you (Gliderpedia, n.d.). Lepto usually enters the
body through the mouth or broken skin (CDC,
2013). If you aren’t washing your hands after
cleaning their cage, changing food and water, or
even just holding your sugar gliders you can be
infected (Gliderpedia, n.d.).
Who is at highest risk for
infection?
Lepto most commonly affects children but it is
considered an occupational hazard for people
who work with animals or outdoors such as pet
owners, veterinarians, pet related careers,
farmers, slaughterhouse workers, military
personnel, sewer workers, campers, etc. (CDC,
2013). Leptospirosis is also common in many
animals such as sugar gliders, raccoons, skunks,
rats, cows, dogs, and small rodents (Leptoinfo,
2013).
What are the symptoms in sugar
gliders?
Sugar gliders are usually Asymptomatic
meaning they don’t show symptoms but they
can have a fever, kidney problems, and liver
problems (Merck, n.d.)
What are the symptoms in
humans?
Some people may not show any symptoms at
all. Symptoms usually come on suddenly and
usually happens in two phases (CDC, 2013). The
second phase being more dangerous and can
result in kidney failure, liver failure, or
meningitis. Symptoms take an average of 10
days to develop (NCBI, 2012). Common
symptoms can include:
 Dry cough
 Fever and chills
 Headaches that come on suddenly
 Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
More severe symptoms can include (MNT,
2004):
 Abdominal pain
 Enlarged spleen or liver
 Muscle tenderness and rigidity
 Conjunctivitis
 Meningitis
 Encephalitis
Serious cases of Lepto can affect the brain,
heart, lung, liver, and kidneys (MNT, 2004).
Leptospirosis can last a few days to months. It is
possible to recover without treatment but this
disease can be fatal (CDC, 2013). Especially
when it affects the major organs such as the
brain and heart.
How is it diagnosed and treated?
Leptospirosis is diagnosed through a complete
blood count (CBC), liver enzyme test, urinalysis,
and several others (NCBI, 2012). Antibiotics are
used to treat Lepto such as ampicillin,
doxycycline, and penicillin among others (NCBI,
2012).
How do you prevent
Leptospirosis?
Whenever you welcome a new pet into your
household it’s recommended to bring them to
the vet to check for diseases that can be
problematic to you or your family. Any type of
pet with any type of disease should be treated
as soon as possible. Until you know if your new
pet is healthy it should be kept away from any
other pet to prevent the possible spread of
disease. Always wash your hands after handling
your sugar glider, their belongings, cleaning
their cage, and handling any of their urine, feces
or blood. If you’ve had a previous pet with
leptospirosis, properly sanitize anything your
infected pet has come in contact with 1 parts
bleach to 10 parts water bleach solution to
prevent reinfection (CDC, 2013).
By Hailey David
References:
Disorders and Diseases of Sugar Gliders. (2011, July).
Retrieved from
http://www.merckmanuals.com/pethealth/exotic_pets/su
gar_gliders/disorders_and_diseases_of_sugar_gliders.html
Google Images. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=sugar glider on
white background
Leptospirosis. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/index.html
Leptospirosis. (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.leptoinfo.com/about2.html
Leptospirosis. (2012, September 3). Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH000235
2/h
Sugar Gliders - Pocket sized pets. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.sugargliderinfo.org/
What is Leptospirosis? (2004). Retrieved from
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246829.php
Zoonosis. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.sugarglider.com/gliderpedia/index.asp?Zoono
sis