I just noticed that Luna's fur surrounding her pouch was discolored so I went in for a closer look and I thought it looked a bit odd. I am wondering what you all think, am I getting overzealous or does this pouch look strange to you?



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If I need to I will take her to the vet asap.

I only have a pic of Zoeys pouch, but I have 4 girls and none look like that. It appears to be a bit swollen.... any chance she's pregnant?

Sometimes overzealous grooming can lead to a slightly inverted pouch. In 5 years, I've seen it once or twice with mine. I do remember it went back to normal within a day or so. However, if you thinks it's discolored, if you see discharge, crustiness or notice any kind of odor, that's more than a little inversion. If the discoloration is from any kind of discharge, I would probably take her in.

I agree, it does look a bit swollen. I would take her in.

I agree that it's good to get it checked out. To me, the pouch itself doesn't look discolored but the picture is a little dark. Anyhow, there is some staining on the fur though right under it, it looks like. To me her pouch looks like it's kind of closed a little and the "ring" looks like it could be a little swollen. It kind of reminds me of what the pouches look like after they have had joeys and the "ring" has been stretched out and then receded back...a little wrinkled. I do have a friend that has a glider with nodules in her pouch that made it look a little odd. Your girl could be just really stretching it out to clean it but I think perhaps it could be some swelling. I just can't tell and I am no expert so I don't want to tell you wrong. If it were me, I agree, best bet is to have it checked to be sure. They can get inside the pouch and see what's in there...if anything.

I hope all goes well!

Let us know what the vet say.

~Erica~

Can they get food and debris in their pouches? I would think that maybe food or junk could get in there and cause a bacteria to grow because of the warm environment. Just a hypothesis! Wonder if it's possible...

I agree. I think it looks a little swollen. I am also not an expert AT ALL in sugar glider health. But you know they can hide illnesses really well. I'd say take her in. Better safe than sorry.

They can also get yeast infections in their pouches.

Thank you all for the input.

JazzNZoeysmom, there is no way she could be pregnant. She has only ever been around her 3 female cagemates.....but good question.

Kyro there was no discharge or smell. It was just dry, a bit inflamed, and brownish fur surrounding it. She tends to leave her pouch out after grooming it, maybe this is a fluke. I will keep checking on it to see if it clears up.

DoubleBogey, I think you may be right. One of the first posts I ever made was about Luna's pouch being completely left out....so maybe.

Guys, I really appreciate the constructive ideas, I will let you all know what the vet says or if it clears up before my vet opens again... I am glad I asked you all.

VE I have seen my girls do that with their pouches after they pull them out to clean them. spray a qtip with vetricyn spray or gel and rub that inside the pouch.

My girl has had two joeys so her pouch sorta looks droopy like that. I think its normal for a lady who has had babies, but not so sure if its normal if shes never had babies.


Mika's momma belly

This may sound like a dumb question.... But do male gliders have pouches too?

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Alec Munni</i>
<br />This may sound like a dumb question.... But do male gliders have pouches too?
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No, males don't have a pouch. If they have been neutered it can "appear" that they have a slit which can resemble a pouch but non-neutered males have what looks like a "bunny tale" on his belly.