Cleaning Anal Sacks? Help!

[Cute_Guineapigs]

Hi

I've had my two boar piggies for over a month now. I read recently on here about cleaning boar anal sacks. I don't think it was ever done by the previous owner of the piggies (they are now around 1.5 years old), so decided to have a go at cleaning them today.

I found lots of hay and hair in there, but also this sticky, white/creamy substance, similar to discharge that really smelt. >>> What is this? Is it discharge (ie an infection), or normal? I cleaned them out as much as possible with cotton buds, but it's so deep, I don't know if I get everything out. I also couldn't work out the anatomy of them either (I couldn't find their penis) and one of them, Rocky has a rather large pink, inflamed area just above the anal sack and wondered if this was normal too.

Has anyone got any advice or tips? Should they see a vet? Has anyone got any pictures of their anatomy?

 

[Jerrybelly]

This link should be of some use: http://www.guinealynx.info/impaction.html

The white substance is normal, and yes it does stink!

I always dip the cotton buds in baby oil to help with cleaning, as the area is quite delicate.

Could you post a picture of the pink, inflammed part?

 

[Hanwombat]

The joy of having smelly boars Never known a inflammed area, yes perhaps post a pigture or if you're worried go to the vets.

 

[Cute_Guineapigs]

thanks for posting. I've put a picture of the inflamed area in this thread:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?106159-Is-this-normal-for-boars

 

[Lilly]

I have 2 boys and while they have the smelly white stuff neither has what I am seeing in your photo. If you're worried a vet check-up wouldn't go amiss.

 

[Jerrybelly]

I've replied under the picture on your other thread x

 

[Cute_Guineapigs]

New question:

I checked their anal sacks again today, and Rocky already needed another clean. He had the creamy stuff in there as well as hay and hair. I hate to think how it must feel to have hay stuck there, so I want to keep it as clear and clean as possible. However, it's only been a week. Will this have to be a weekly clean?