Senegal bushbaby (lesser galago)

Metabolic bone disease

SignsCannot jump, stumbles on landing, drags hind legs, fractures

PreventionAvoid insect-only or fruit-only diets; dust with calcium. Consider a UVB lamp and get X-rays once a year

Periodontal disease / tartar

SignsBad breath, drooling, refuses hard insects, facial swelling

PreventionHard-shelled insects and acacia gum clean teeth naturally. Oral exam once a year

Obesity / fatty liver

SignsWeight gain, less jumping, sagging belly, lethargy

PreventionCut back mealworms and fruit; switch to crickets and a species-specific diet. Record weight weekly

Parasites

SignsDiarrhea, soft stool, weight loss, worms in stool, soiled anal area

PreventionFecal exam at intake and 1–2 times a year. Buy live insects from a reliable supplier

Hypothermia / hypoglycemia

SignsCurled up and motionless, cold body, seizures

PreventionKeep above 24°C even at night. Never skip the evening feeding. Weigh weekly

Stress-related hair loss

SignsThin fur on tail or arms, biting the skin, repetitive movements

PreventionDark and quiet by day. Room to jump and several hideouts. Create foraging behavior by hunting live insects

Collision / fracture while jumping

PreventionFor free-roam time, cover ceiling lights, fans, mirrors and window glass. Provide landing spots inside the cage

First aidDo not handle; keep warm and quiet in a dark box. No splint. See a vet the same day

Tail injury

PreventionCheck tail position when opening or closing the cage door. Mesh size must not trap the tail

First aidPress bleeding with gauze. If the tail hangs limp, will not move, or is bent, see a vet the same day

Burns

PreventionAlways cover heat bulbs and heaters, and place them where the animal cannot reach by jumping

First aidCool with a cold wet towel. Apply no ointment; see a vet. Do not touch blisters

Entangled fingers / claws

PreventionAvoid frayed fabric and fine-mesh netting. Use tightly woven hammocks

First aidCut the fabric itself to free it. Do not pull. If a finger swells or cannot move, see a vet

B virus infection

RouteBites, scratches and saliva of primates (mainly macaques)

PreventionIf bitten, rinse under running water for 15+ minutes and see a doctor at once. Do not handle bare-handed

Tuberculosis

RouteCoughing, droplets, close contact

PreventionCoughing or weight loss: see a vet immediately. Keepers should have an annual health check

Salmonellosis

RouteFeces; hands, feet and equipment marked with urine

PreventionThey smear urine on their hands and feet. Always wash with soap after contact

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact (bald patches, fur in the cage)

PreventionCircular hair loss: see a vet. Wash hands after holding. Disinfect the cage regularly

Food

• Staple diet is insects such as crickets, a species-specific food and acacia gum
• Feed twice, in the evening and late at night, after dark
• Fruit and vegetables only in small amounts as a side dish. Dust insects with calcium

Water

• Replace both the water bottle and a small dish daily
• Watch for changes in water intake and urine volume

Toys & play

• Foraging play: release live crickets for it to chase
• Foraging toys: gum packed into holes in a branch
• Place branches and shelves at jumping distance and rearrange them occasionally

Nest, bed & hideout

• Fix a dark wooden nest box at the very top
• Cover completely with a cloth during the day to keep it dark

Bedding & litter

• Thick layer of pet sheets or hardwood chips on the floor
• Wash urine-marked branches once a week
• Do not use softwood chips, cat litter or sand

Cage / housing material

Tall metal cage (mesh 1 cm or smaller)

Size & space

At least 180 cm high and 90 cm wide. As tall as possible

Layout

• Nest box at the top; branches in the middle at jumping distance
• Food and water in fixed dishes on branches. It does not eat on the floor
• Thick bedding on the floor to cushion falls

Placement notes

• Dark, quiet room during the day. Avoid TVs and windows
• Observe at night under a red light. Avoid direct air-conditioner drafts

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No walks needed. Exercises by jumping in the cage at night
• For free-roam time, dim the lights and turn off fans; close windows
• Allow at least 1 hour of activity every night

Temperature & humidity

Temperature24–28°C. Below 20°C risks hypothermia

Humidity40–60%

Summer & winter

• Summer: keep below 28°C with air conditioning. Avoid direct sunlight
• Winter: maintain 24°C or above around the clock with a panel heater

Nail trimming

Worn down naturally on branches. If overgrown and catching on fabric, have the vet trim them. Restraint for nail trimming is dangerous: it struggles

Brushing, skin & coat care

Not needed. Grooms itself with its tooth comb (lower front teeth). Unkempt fur is a sign of illness

Other care

The large ears soil easily. Dirt or odor: see a vet. Wipe urine off hands and feet with a damp cloth

Protection from predators

• Never keep in the same room as dogs, cats or ferrets
• Close windows during nighttime free-roam; do not use mosquito repellents
• Never take outdoors (escape, crows, birds of prey)

Foreign-body ingestion

Mouths bedding, fabric threads, rubber and small toys. Clear small items off the floor before free-roam. Vomiting or loss of appetite: see a vet

Being stepped on

Moves quickly across the floor of a dark room. Watch your feet as you walk; return it to the cage when guests arrive or during housework

Getting pinched

Tail or fingers get caught in doors and cage doors. Secure doors with stoppers during free-roam. Check its position before closing

Falls

Falls from failed jumps or slipping. Climbs curtain rails and shelf tops, so cushion the landing spots. If it cannot move after a fall, see a vet immediately

Escape

Leaps to a high spot and flees in an instant. Padlock the cage and always close the room's windows. If it escapes, darken the room and lure it with food

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and calm. Get a thick towel
2. Cover its body and face with the towel to make it dark
3. Once it lets go, return it to the cage, towel and all
4. Rinse the wound under running water for 15+ minutes and disinfect

After the release

Deep wound, swelling or fever: see a doctor the same day. Always tell the doctor it was a primate bite

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight history, diet and insect types, photos of stool, photos of the cage setup. Find a hospital that treats primates in advance

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and watch for a response. Normal body temperature is 37–39°C
• Count breaths by chest movement. About 40–60 per minute
• Place a finger on the chest to check the heartbeat. Around 200 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for 5+ minutes. Do not lift it to check
• For the tail or limbs, press lightly on the heart side
• Heavy bleeding or bleeding that will not stop: see a vet immediately

Transport

• Line a darkened small box with a towel; wrap the hand warmer in cloth
• Keep still and quiet. Keep the car interior at 24°C or above