We have a caring mother glider who doens't seem to be given enough milk to our 2 week OOP baby boy. I am becoming suspisious of a infected pouch because her pouch is a very dark red color, and almost seems like it might be swollen. She won't let me get a look other than though the cage bars though, which is adding to my suspisions, since she is bonded. Is there a website or some pictures someone has of what an infected pouch looks like? Is this an emergency that needs to be cured with prescriptions though the vet? Are there any tell-tale signs of pouch infection? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/upset.gif" alt="" />
Re: Infected pouch??
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#108565 06/08/0609:04 AM06/08/0609:04 AM
From what I have read, if the pouch is at all red then you should see a vet especially since she still needs to be feeding the joey. I'm sure someone will come give you detailed advice soon but in the mean time I would call a vet and mke sure the joey is being fed. If the mother isnn't feeding enough than you should read up on supplementing the joey and get all the stuff together..
Good luck and keep us posted! Val
Re: Infected pouch??
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#108566 06/08/0611:37 AM06/08/0611:37 AM
What you described does sound like it could be a pouch infection. And yes, the would need vet care and antibiotics. It would explain why mom is having trouble feeding the joey.
I do suggest a vet visit. Please update us when you can.
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I would recommend seeking a vet to see if the pouch is either infected or engorged. Sometimes I have seen in my mamas that they won't let me touch their pouches either, but I manage to take a peek and the pain is caused from engorgement. You need a vet to tell what is actually tell you the condition for the little one. Keep us all posted please. My thoughts are with you.
I would recommend getting her into a vets office for a checkup. If she does have a pouch infection she'll need an antibiotic to get over it. You'll probably also need to suppliment the little one. If the pouch is infected, Mom may be pushing the baby away because it hurts for them to nurse.
When my Sydney and Seamore were joeys, their Mom had a very bad pouch infection. She was on the verge of rejecting her joeys when we (my friend who owned the parents and I) stepped in. We thought about pulling them and totally hand raising them, but decided that it would be best to keep them with Mom and Dad and suppliment the joeys as much as possible. We ended up supplimenting them at least 5 times per day and left the cleaning & care of the joeys to Mom & Dad. Mom also tried to nurse the joeys as much as she was able to, but we didn't want to count on that, so we kept up the supplimenting until the joeys were weaned. It worked out well with us and they thrived and are happy healthy adults now.
Anyway, I've attatched a picture of their Mom's pouch infection.
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Ok, we inspected the pouch further and the joey had his head in mama’s pouch. We were able to see the inside of the pouch and it was a white skin tone. So there doesn’t seem to be any infection. The reason we thought infection to begin with was the hair around the pouch has turned a dark orange/red. The only thing we can think of now is that she isn’t producing enough milk for the joey. She allows him to feed but he has been getting skinny over the past 4-5 days. We went on a camping trip over the weekend and brought our suggies with us. We are now starting to think that may have brought too much stress on the mother and has maybe somehow affected her milk production or something. This is my best guess but physically the momma seems fine. One thing I’ve noticed is she has stopped singing to the joey and seems to do more of a scolding, hissing kind of crab a lot. That’s about all the info I can think to give. All suggestions or morsels of experience are welcome. Thanks I have attached a pic taken last night of our joey.
If she is hissing/crabbing at the baby when he is trying to nurse something is bothering her, so I would still recommend a visit to the vet to find out what is going on. Also please suppliment the joey. He needs more than Mom is able to give him.
Chris Illusion, Malcom, Isabell, Annabelle, Zach, Isis, Aly & Indy AND Miss Emmy & Miss Chloe kitties
My Angels: You are always in my heart.
You've flown to the rainbow and wait there for me Someday I will join you together to be
Re: Infected pouch??
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#108574 06/09/0602:01 AM06/09/0602:01 AM
Yes, I agree. Take her to the vet. She wouldn't be crabbing and hissing at him unless she was in pain from him trying to nurse. It seems like she wants to be a good glider mommy, but just doesn't have it in her at the moment. And he does look painfully thin.
If you haven't seen it yet, here is the link on How to Hand Feed a Joey, found as a sticky in the Breeding & Babies section.
Good luck!
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Ouch that has to hurt. I would take her to the vet for some antibiotics and see if there is anymore that can be done. However that male needs more supplimenting, as his bottom looks awfully thin where the belly would be. You don't need him getting dehydrated, and losing valuable body heat.