Hello Everyone,

I have been worried for a couple weeks now about Marci’s pouch. It looks very pink and I did take her to the vet, but he said she was okay. He took a swab of her pouch and no bacteria or discharge was present.

I still can’t shake this feeling that something is wrong though. Mable’s pouch looks nothing like Marci’s and it looks healthy.

Is it possible that it could be something else besides an infection? Would yeast come up on a bacterial swab? Could it be thrush? Should I go to another vet for a second opinion?

I looked at her pouch again tonight and it just doesn’t seem right to me. It kind of protrudes, but not like the insides are sticking out. She is not pregnant (if anyone is wondering). She is obese (unfortunately), but she doesn’t seem to be in distress. When she climbs on her cage and stretches out, I can see the pouch and it almost looks purple.

I’m very inclined to go for a second opinion, but I want to see what other experienced sugar parents thoughts are?

I haven't got a clue other than yeast won't show up on bacteria. I'm asking now...

Yeast infection is more fungal, not bacterial. I have contacted another member. Hopefully they have a few more answers. In the meantime, I'll do some more research on marsupials.

Is there any smell to her pouch? That would be a sure sign of infection.

It could be a combination of her being chunky and cleaning it.

Can you post a picture?

Hi Everyone,

There is no smell to her pouch. I will try and post a picture by tomorrow. She doesn’t like her stomach touched to begin with, so I have to wait for her to stretch out.

I can grab her and look, but I try my best not to do that.

https://imgur.com/gallery/854yE5I

Those are the best pictures I can get for now. I will try to get more as she stretches.

As I look at these photos, the only thing I see wrong now is the brown fur that is a little bit around her pouch. It did look more pink a couple days before. I’m hoping to be able to get a picture where you can really see inside.

I can't open your images, I don't have the app on my phone.

She may have scratched or irritated an area in her pouch. Cleaning the inside of their pouch is part of their daily grooming routine, and sometimes they get a bit lazy.

Did the vet open her pouch and check out the inside?

The pink color looks normal to me, the brown or tan tint could be pouch staining from her being chubby. As long as there is no discharge or bad odor I think she is going to be fine.

Thank you! Yes the vet did say she had no discharge or bad odor. She is definitely a big girl, but I am trying to work on that. Thank you for all your help.

Thank for the update!