Dirty Patch At Rear End

[LizzyHoy]

Hello,

My guinea pig Denise has developed a dirty patch near her bottom on the right side. The fur is damp and dirty in that particular spot. It doesn't seem to be blood. It doesn't go away when her hutch is cleaned out. I washed her the other day which improved it, but it seems to have come back the same.

Does anyone know what it is?

I've attached some pictures - her fur is brown and white, you can see some of the staining on the white fur.

 

[Janice C]

Hello,

My guinea pig Denise has developed a dirty patch near her bottom on the right side. The fur is damp and dirty in that particular spot. It doesn't seem to be blood. It doesn't go away when her hutch is cleaned out. I washed her the other day which improved it, but it seems to have come back the same.

Does anyone know what it is?

I've attached some pictures - her fur is brown and white, you can see some of the staining on the white fur.

View attachment 83271View attachment 83272 View attachment 83273

It could be a grease gland but can’t see the area too clearly.
More prominent in male piggies but it could be the gland you’ve noticed on her. As long as there’s no sign of wet sticky poo underneath and she’s not sitting on wet areas all the time and not scratching or trying to bit e this area?

 

[LizzyHoy]

Thanks for your reply Janice.

Grease gland is a good idea - I hadn't thought of that but I do remember washing her grease gland some time ago, so it might be something she has an issue with.

Don't think she's sitting on wet areas, and she doesn't seem to have noticed it herself so it's not bothering her.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello,

My guinea pig Denise has developed a dirty patch near her bottom on the right side. The fur is damp and dirty in that particular spot. It doesn't seem to be blood. It doesn't go away when her hutch is cleaned out. I washed her the other day which improved it, but it seems to have come back the same.

Does anyone know what it is?

I've attached some pictures - her fur is brown and white, you can see some of the staining on the white fur.

View attachment 83271View attachment 83272 View attachment 83273

Hi and welcome

Please check the grease gland and give her a bum bath.
This is the boar guide, but since sows can occasionally also have an overactive grease gland and a messy bum, the tips go for sows, too. If the dirty spot is caused by dried pee, then it is likely that your girl loves to sleep in certain position where the pee collects in a place she cannot clean herself easily. it is unfortunately near impossible to get stained/strongly oxidised pee out of white fur.

Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

 

[LizzyHoy]

Hi Wiebke,

Thanks for your advice. She had her uterus removed for medical reasons so that might increase the chances of grease gland issues despite her being female? She doesn't have a specific way of lying down (it varies), so the grease gland seems like the likely culprit.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi Wiebke,

Thanks for your advice. She had her uterus removed for medical reasons so that might increase the chances of grease gland issues despite her being female? She doesn't have a specific way of lying down (it varies), so the grease gland seems like the likely culprit.

Spaying should not make a difference; I have both kinds of sows. But it rather looks like she likes to sit in her urine. You may want to spot clean her favourite patch daily and see whether that is making a difference.

 

[LizzyHoy]

Ok, I will keep an eye out for where she's lying and in what position!

 

[Roclibrarian]

I have a white girl with a dirty bum. I find a shampoo from Gorgeous Guineas called Posh n go is good for getting the yellow stains out.