Consequences Of Not Cleaning A Grease Gland.

[CavySlave23]

What would happen if you didn't clean a male piggies grease gland? As some of your may know, I got a male piggy who is over one year old and I had noticed his gland hasn't been cleaned. I tried cleaning his gland with a baby wipe which didn't work so I decided to give him a shallow bath while vigorously rubbing his gland but that didn't seem to work much either. I really want to clean his grease gland the best I can but I do not know how to which is really starting to frustrate me.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Hi a baby wipe will do nothing as will plain warm water. It probably only irritated it or hurt if you rubbed rather hard. Is your males really yucky? Could you post pic? It could just be his grease gland isn't that active. My first piggy a sow never had hers washed- I never even realised it was there! My boar on the other hand has a gland that likes to make me aware of its presence. It always seems to be working haha. I clean his gland quite regularly because of how active it is like every day or every two days. If your piggies doesn't get too yucky then every two weeks or once a month (whenever you deem it neccessary) clean it. Fairy liquid can be used in a small amount to help declump the grease but don't use regularly or in big quantities because it will dry hiskin gland out. Coconut oil is said to work magic on the gland as well but if you Google it there is quite a few other ways of cleaning it.

If left,your piggies gland will become very sore and become infected. He will probably try to escape when you touch it or you might feel a big lump. He may have white flakes and be quite itchy. If this sounds like your piggy I would see a vet but in the mean time give hisome bum a salt water bath - that's what my vet advised me. Every day. A vet will scrape it clean if it's really bad. Hope this helps.

 

[Adelle]

I currently have 4 sows, and have a sow and boar sadly no longer with me and Iv never cleaned a grease gland, nor have I had any overactive, infected or abcess gland issues.

If it's a messy gland that needs cleaning to get on top of then yes, clean it.. If it's not an issue then I'd leave it alone personally X

 

[Tiamolly123]

If it's a messy gland i.e. All the fur is greasy I wash my piggies bottom with scarfega & then, A lovely shampoo after. Wash well to get rid of the scarfege. ONLY do this if needs to be done, & please don't attempt to clean it with cotton wool bud.

 

[Kylie80]

I've never seen the grease gland on my sow's. Where is it located? I feel so stupid asking this lol.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

The grease gland is located near the bottom of the rump. Hopefully this picture will help.

 

[Kylie80]

Thanks for the pic. Here I was thinking I check them over quite well during their health check too lol.

 

[VickiA]

I've only ever really noticed one grease gland that needed cleaning and that was in a piggy who was poorly. None of my piggies have had an overactive grease gland. If it doesn't need cleaning leave well alone otherwise you can end up over stimulating it!

 

[Wiebke]

What would happen if you didn't clean a male piggies grease gland? As some of your may know, I got a male piggy who is over one year old and I had noticed his gland hasn't been cleaned. I tried cleaning his gland with a baby wipe which didn't work so I decided to give him a shallow bath while vigorously rubbing his gland but that didn't seem to work much either. I really want to clean his grease gland the best I can but I do not know how to which is really starting to frustrate me.

Here are our tips on how to clean grease glands:
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths
How To Bathe Guinea Pigs - Including Ears & Grease Glands

If overactive grease glands build up and are not cleaned, they can get infected and will need veterinary care.