Necropsies are an incredibly important learning tool. Through their results, the owner can learn why their pet died. In homes with multiple gliders, this can reassure them that their other pets are not in danger. Answers can provide peace of mind. When those results are shared, glider owners as a whole can learn if our current caretaking methods are adequate. Often times, necropsy results cause us to question ways to care for our gliders better. Necropsies encourage learning. The key is in consolidating the information. Generalized conclusions can’t be drawn from one or two necropsy reports. We need as many results, from as many different homes, as possible. The Necropsy Effort is a project of the SUGAR Group. The goals of the Necropsy Effort are:

1) To collect scientific data on sugar glider anatomy, death and physiology through the collection and analysis of necropsy reports and a necropsy survey. When the SURVEY is combined with the necropsy report, the picture becomes even more clear. We are afforded a great deal of additional information by matching necropsy results with the survey. This is one of the methodologies that causes the SUGAR Group’s research to stand out and makes our research unique.

2) To encourage owners to consider having a necropsy (and histopathology) any time one of their beloved gliders passes away by reimbursing a portion of the cost of the procedure(s) for anyone who completes our survey AND provides us with a copy of the reports. The SUGAR Group has a working relationship with a pathologist and we are able to match the owner’s cost. For a necropsy AND histopathology, the owner’s cost would be $50.00. All reports are then sent to the SUGAR Group and entered into our database for future study. All results are stored in 3 different places so that they are never lost to this community. Owners who wish to take advantage of this, may contact the SUGAR group through our website http://www.sugargroup.org. You may also participate in the study by sending in necropsy reports from past necropsies.

We learn from each and every necropsy performed. Collectively, these reports are helping us to put together a comprehensive picture and to make recommendations for treatment. Even more significant to owners is that the necropsy reports in combination with the surveys are helping us to put together a list of symptoms that one might see BEFORE a glider becomes terminally ill, so that perhaps we can begin to treat some of these conditions and prolong the healthy lives of our gliders. This is an important project, and one that is very near to the hearts of many.

For more information on The SUGAR Group and its projects, visit their website!

Did you know that you could get reimbursed for having a necropsy performed on your glider IF you agree to share that information with the SUGAR Group's necropsy research team? Read here for more info: http://www.sugargroup.org/Necropsy-Effort.html

Did you know that the SUGAR Group is studying facial abscesses in gliders? To find out more, visit our website www.sugargroup.org