Cleaning Grease Glands

[jeffnsweep]

Myself and a vet I saw 3 weeks ago thought my pig may have had mites due to a scab on his bum area and a cut under the chin so was treated for them and had to go back a few days ago for a following treatment. The cut under.the chin has healed nicely but I was concerned the scab by his bum was still scabbed up. Anyway we saw a different vet who confirmed that the scab on the bum area was actually his grease gland, she gave him his second dose for mites anyway but said he wouldn't need the third dose as she didn't now think he actually had mites! So she just said keep an eye on his grease gland and that was that! I have no idea at all what a normal grease gland should look and she gave no advice on cleaning it etc in fact she didn't advise me to even clean it! After googling I've read I can use normal washing up liquid to try and loosen the grease along with a bath but I have no idea if I should be removing all of the what looks like a scab, do I do it over a couple of sessions? I think the vets lack of advice was pretty poor to be fair and when I asked about using swarfega she looked at me as if I was stupid and said no my dad uses that after pottering about in his garage! Any advice please, I think my hubby does have some swarfega and also obviously have washing up liquid too!

 

[Wiebke]

Myself and a vet I saw 3 weeks ago thought my pig may have had mites due to a scab on his bum area and a cut under the chin so was treated for them and had to go back a few days ago for a following treatment. The cut under.the chin has healed nicely but I was concerned the scab by his bum was still scabbed up. Anyway we saw a different vet who confirmed that the scab on the bum area was actually his grease gland, she gave him his second dose for mites anyway but said he wouldn't need the third dose as she didn't now think he actually had mites! So she just said keep an eye on his grease gland and that was that! I have no idea at all what a normal grease gland should look and she gave no advice on cleaning it etc in fact she didn't advise me to even clean it! After googling I've read I can use normal washing up liquid to try and loosen the grease along with a bath but I have no idea if I should be removing all of the what looks like a scab, do I do it over a couple of sessions? I think the vets lack of advice was pretty poor to be fair and when I asked about using swarfega she looked at me as if I was stupid and said no my dad uses that after pottering about in his garage! Any advice please, I think my hubby does have some swarfega and also obviously have washing up liquid too!

Here are our tips. Some members also recommend coconut oil for cleaning it more gently. How To Bathe Guinea Pigs - Including Ears & Grease Glands

At the very worst it can be infected and may need an antibiotic to treat it.

Could you post a (preferably clear and well-lit) picture so we can judge the state of it?

 

[jeffnsweep]

Thanks I will try and get a pic in a minute the scab looks very grey and dry no weeping bits etc, I'll just have my dinner then I'll attempt to take pics he's not a very cuddly piggy unfortunately so I'll try and get him as still as I can xx

 

[jeffnsweep]

Hopefully this pic is ok! He's kicking me trying to take pics!

 

[jeffnsweep]

Another. Pic x

 

[Wiebke]

Another. Pic x

View attachment 43972

That just looks like a very dirty grease gland. Once you have got on top of this one, it will be a lot easier for you in the future.

 

[jeffnsweep]

So annoyed with the vet I first saw! I could have dealt with this so much sooner had she had even mentioned grease glands! Oh well anyway I'm going in the bathroom first thing this morning armed with washing up liquid! I'm going to try and very gently massage the area for a while in order to break the grease up, never thought I'd be massaging a guinea pigs bottom! But so be it! Once I've managed to remove this how often should I clean his grease gland?

 

[jeffnsweep]

So annoyed with the vet I first saw! I could have dealt with this so much sooner had she had even mentioned grease glands! Oh well anyway I'm going in the bathroom first thing this morning armed with washing up liquid! I'm going to try and very gently massage the area for a while in order to break the grease up, never thought I'd be massaging a guinea pigs bottom! But so be it! Once I've managed to remove this how often should I clean his grease gland?

 

[jeffnsweep]

Also I'm quite cross, the vet we saw the second time tried squeezing this area, should she have done this! She squeezed the area like she was trying to pop a spot, he was obviously uncomfortable with her doing this?!