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Guinea Pig Not Cleaning Itself Properly?

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xxaimeexx

xxaimeexx

Teenage Guinea Pig
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@Wiebke Squiggles my albino rex guinea pig has had some problems with faeces around her anus during the past week. I have been observing her and recently stepped in to clean for her. I am going to call the vet tomorrow to ask about the problem. I will also post a picture tomorrow showing how faeces builds up in that area. She has had completely normal poops so I don't know why she can't keep clean down there. She has only had the problem during the past week or so. Any advice on what may be the problem? As I have said before she is 4-5 years old and is showing her age but not overly so. Oh and her cage is kept as clean as possible and her sis Holly has no problems. Thanks xx
 
It is likely that she could have become a bit arthritic. I would ask the vet to check (if necessary with an x-ray). Good that you are having her seen promptly!
 
Yeah thanks she is also a bit on the skinny side, her sis Holly is a little fatty. Thing about arthritis is that she seems pretty flexible and supple most of the time and can reach up for hay easily enough. I think i will definitely have to make a vet trip soon. Quite confused :hmm:
 
xxaimeexx said:
Yeah thanks she is also a bit on the skinny side, her sis Holly is a little fatty. Thing about arthritis is that she seems pretty flexible and supple most of the time and can reach up for hay easily enough. I think i will definitely have to make a vet trip soon. Quite confused :hmm:
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Nerys, who is pretty arthritic in her joints, can still stand up on the grids for begging, but she struggles to clean herself. It very much depends on what is affected. I am sure that your vet can give her a thorough onceover!
 
Thank you very much! I have no problem with daily cleaning for her but was a bit worried that she could be very ill. :(:)
 
Today I cleaned her up and also trimmed the fur around the affected area and I found this(see picture) I think it is normal but don't claim to be a guinea pig anatomy expert! @Wiebke Can you take a look please!xx DSCF6466.webp
 
Thanks that's what I thought it was. Its all clean now! Again links back to arthritis. Unfortunately I'm not sure if I can get a vet appointment this week as it isn't a major emergency and we are very busy. Thanks for replying:luv: xx
 
That's a great page! Very informative! I will bathe the two of them properly as soon as the weather is a bit better! Love my cuties!:love: These are from a photo shoot in the summer, they are so photogenic!
10473620_325776824250880_4185314357758375831_n.jpg
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Chief Guinea Pig said:
Gorgeous pigtures. I hope Squiggles is better soon.
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She has gone downhill now :,,( I took her too the vets today. She is so thin so they think it is a problem with her teeth. Unfortunately she has to go under anaesthetic tomorrow to get a dental :.( its for the best though. Have you ever had a guinea pig anaesthetised?
 
xxaimeexx said:
She has gone downhill now :,,( I took her too the vets today. She is so thin so they think it is a problem with her teeth. Unfortunately she has to go under anaesthetic tomorrow to get a dental :.( its for the best though. Have you ever had a guinea pig anaesthetised?
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I am so sorry,
No I haven't. :(
 
Best of luck!

Please make sure that you have everything ready to hand feed her in the next days or even weeks and that you also get metacam t ease the discomdort and soreness. Many dental piggies struggle to get back to eating after dentals and may need further filing until everything is working fully again. Weigh your girl daily at the same time instead of weekly as with any healthy piggy.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/complete-hand-feeding-guide.115359/
 
Thanks! Yeah I will get whatever I need out tonight once I have read the thread you recommend. I will have to see if the vet recommends Metacam or no. Hopefully she will recover well. I will log her weight gain/loss over the next week/months, hopefully she puts on weight!
 
@furryfriends Excellent Adventure Sanctuary Sorry this wouldn't send in the conversations!
Thanks Debbie,
I was told it would just be an examination. She has been eating okay, eating wasn't the reason I took her in the first place, that was because she was extremely thin all of a sudden(in less than a month the weight just dropped off her) and not cleaning herself and losing fur on her underside. I don't really know what is up with her as prior to the vets she was eating fine. Do you know any other reasons for weight loss? The procedure went well this morning she is back home now and eating well she is on Oxbow critical care, pellet slurry, and anything else she can get her teeth on! The vets didn't find anything abnormal with her teeth or anything else besides massive lack of condition. So fingers crossed she should slowly start putting on weight with the hand-feeding. I am so thankful she is home safe now though!
 
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