Dirty fur - could she be ill?

[Alicia]

I have a 1 year old sheltie sow named Edie and I was going to give her a bath this weekend because I have now had her for a month. I went to hold her this afternoon and around her back end it was all wet and she had a bit of poop stuck to her fur too. I just thought her hair had got a bit too long and was dragging along the floor, so, because I didn't have time to give her a full bath today, I washed her stomach and bum in a bowl of warm water and got everything off it, then cut her fur shorter. I went to brush her and she wheeked whenever I touched her back but she didn't mind when I brushed her back. I was just wondering if her hair being dirty could make her ill or get an infection or anything? Sorry if its a dumb question I just thought I'd check.

 

[Wiebke]

It can be just sitting in her own pee (epsecially when on the lawn), but it could also indicate the beginnings of UTI - especially if the pee is very smelly ( a much stronger stale smell) and she is peeing much more than normal. Keep an eye and nose out over the next few days.
http://www.guinealynx.info/uti.html

I prefer to keep my coronets' hair as short as possible around the bum end to prevent too many mess ups. Many piggies to not like to be touched on the bum/belly /their privates.

 

[CiaraPatricia]

My Sheltie got wet dirty fur on his bum too, so I trimmed it. I think that just happens when their hair gets too long.

But yes, if it was wet and dirty it could irritate their skin, so best to keep it nice and clean.

And my Sheltie squeaks if I brush around his bum too!