Pouch Issue

Hi Everyone, I'm new here and a new sugar glider owner (well, somewhat new, since November 2012)! I have a female about 9-10 months old and part of her pouch keeps poking out. I don't think it's infected because it's a healthy pink and no smell/ooze. She is in with a full sister and unrelated neutered male. I read on another forum it could be due to overgrooming and to use a q-tip & neosporin & push it back in -- I do that and then it's back out (sometimes alot, sometimes not so much) the next day. I'm thinking it's a puberty thing? Anyone experience this before? This has been going on for about 2 weeks & we're both getting tired of me poking it back in!

I am assuming she does not have Joey's?  If not and you have been pushing it back in for 2 weeks I would have it checked out by your veterinarian. It is not normal to my knowledge for it to keep happening.
Someone else may come along and give you more advise.

You can certainly have it checked out, but I have had this same issue with young girls at this age. People do tend to worry that the pouch will dry out or become infected, but if you are keeping an eye on it, that should not happen. If you are pushing it back in with neosporin on the q-tip, then chances are that she is cleaning vigorously to remove the neosporin. If it were me, I'd stop with helping and see what happens when you just let her be for a few days. Then, if you are still worried, get her in to make sure there is no infection or other issue. Chances are that she is just learning how to be a girl glider and you might see this off and on from her throughout her life. Kinda like many boys in puberty have issues with their penis being extended for many days at a time.

I agree with Val... I think that she is probley feeling the neosporin and trying to clean it off... I find some of my girls have "stretchy pouch days" where it seems they are letting all hang out but the next day they are fine.

My girls do the same thing. One has had a joey, the other has not. Sometimes a little just sticks out for a day or two and then it goes back to normal. I'd also leave it as long as you're keeping an eye on it.

I'll just reiterate what Val said. I have two girls here that are pretty vigorous pouch cleaners and it's not uncommon for their pouches to be out. I simply watch and just make sure all is well but I never put anything on it or help them out. Unless you see any major symptoms of something wrong, I don't feel as though you need to run to the vet.

Thank you all for your comments, it's good to know it just happens & not something to get too worried about!

Yep, I agree with everyone else. When it first happened in my home with Tika, I brought her to the vet and the vet told me, "Congratulations. Your little girl is becoming a woman." He explained it was very common at that age as even if they live with neutered males, their instinct is to prepare for babies by grooming the pouch.