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Ectoparasites in Sugar Gliders

Pocket Pet · Petaurus breviceps · typical adult weight 0.08–0.16 kg

3 cited drugs treat Ectoparasites in sugar gliders: Imidacloprid, Ivermectin, Selamectin.

External parasites including fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Isoxazolines, macrocyclic lactones, and pyrethroids each carry species-specific cautions (e.g. permethrin lethal in cats).

The overview above describes Ectoparasites across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to sugar gliders — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.

Imidacloprid(Advantage)

Antiparasitic
RouteDoseFrequencyIndicationEvidenceSource
topically10 mg/kgq 30 daysFleasWeakBaker RT, Beveridge I. Imidacloprid treatment of marsupials for fleas (Pygiopsylla hoplia). J Zoo Wildl Med. 2001;32:391-392. doi:10.1638/1042-7260(2001)032[0391:itomff]2.0.co;2; Johnson R, Hemsley S. Gliders and possums. In: Vogelnest L, Woods R, eds. Medicine of Australian Mammals; CSIRO Publishing, Clayton South, Vic; 2008:395-437. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.706 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 7.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Sugar Gliders). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Clinical Guide to Fish Medicine — ISBN 9781119259558, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781119259558

Ivermectin(Ivomec, Heartgard)

Antiparasitic
RouteDoseFrequencyIndicationEvidenceSource
SC0.2 mg/kgonce; repeat in 7–14 days for up to 3 treatmentsFor roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, nematodes, mitesWeakMorrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, OrcuttCJ, Mans C, et al. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. / 15. Johnson R, Hemsley S. Gliders and possums. In: Vogelnest L, Woods R, eds. Medicine of Australian Mammals; CSIRO Publishing, Clayton South, Vic; 2008:395-437. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.706 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 7.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Sugar Gliders). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Clinical Guide to Fish Medicine — ISBN 9781119259558, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781119259558; Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9780323484350, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323484350

Selamectin(Revolution, Stronghold)

Antiparasitic
RouteDoseFrequencyIndicationEvidenceSource
topically6–18 mg/kgonce; repeat in 30 daysFor ectoparasites; not effective against DemodexWeakVogelnest L. Dermatology. In: Vogelnest L, Portas T, eds. Current Therapy in Medicine of Australian Mammals; CSIRO Publishing, Clayton South, Vic; 2019:181-206. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.707 (2026-08-01). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 7.2 (Antiparasitic Agents Used in Sugar Gliders). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Clinical Guide to Fish Medicine — ISBN 9781119259558, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781119259558

Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Ectoparasites in Sugar Gliders: 3 Cited Drug Options | ExoticRx