How do you wash a guinea pig's bum?

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shinyhunter101

shinyhunter101

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I was thinking about letting my guinea pigs play outside for the first time, but then I heard that flies can lay eggs on the pig's bum. :(

It kind of scared me, I don't want my pig to be eaten from the inside out by maggots! :<>

Is this a big concern? Also, how do you wash a pig's bum to minimize the risk?

Thanks! 8:)
 
you can get some fly guard that helps prevent cases of flystrike and this is recommended regardless of whether your piggies are indoors or outdoors. I know its a horrible horrible condition but you can't withhold the fun and joy of playing outside on the off chance they might become ill. Its like saying you'll never leave the house in case you catch something/get hit by a bus.

Clean the poops out of the cage everyday and check your piggies bums everyday and use preventative medicine and I'm sure you'll be fine
 
I've had guinea pigs for 18 years now and have never seen flystrike in a guinea pig. Whilst it's something to keep in the back of your mind and check for, I wouldn't get worried about it! It does happen, but it's relatively rare (more commonly seen in rabbits). You can get flystrike spray like this one:

[ame]http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002GT4PMW/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001UASU1A&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=13TNRDQA0AKZ3855JMXG[/ame]

Spray it on, and your piggie will be a walking fly repellant! Personally I don't use it (I'm getting some sent for my elderly rabbits, so I may just treat the pigs at the same time if there's enough). Basically if you're worried about it, you need to check your pigs twice a day or more (just look at them and see if they have flies on them or fly eggs) and make sure they're clean and their cage is clean. Guinea pigs are clean anyway; I'd only be especially concerned if I had an impaction affected boar.
 
I agree had piggies for yrs and never had a problem with flystrike, never used rear guard either, always kept their hutch clean with no probs, rabbits do seem to have more probs with it. don`t worry just enjoy them.:):)
 
Just to add that normal piggies should be fine outside.

If you have an elderly piggy who can't clean as easily anymore then I find a warm wet flannel and a bottom wash with the piggy lying along your arm, head towards your elbow, supported by your hand under their tummies works very well. The ones I have needed to bottom wash have been all chuckly (as long as the flannel is actually warm) and I have only done this when they were unable to clean themselves up as they normally do. I haven't used any wipes or soap, just wet flannels and gentle cleaning.

Hope your piggies have fun in the sun!
 
Fly strike is usually seen in guinea pigs/rabbits with poor hutch hygiene and poor diet. Not that all owners are to blame for the problem. The best way to keep flies away is to keep the hutch as clean as possible, any smells will attract flies and ensure that you inspect your piggies bums on a daily bases. Any bouts of diarrhea will increase the risk of fly attraction. You can always add fly/mosqueto netting over the hutch if your mega worried.

x.
 
Well I'm concerned because I live on a farm and there are more flies here then your average backyard has. So I was scared it was going to be an issue with all the bugs and stuff.
 
dont know if this would work with pigs but we feed horses with a little garlic which keeps flys away as the smell is released throught the glands in the skin and repels flys natuarally maybe someone would be able to comment?
 
Neheigh said:
dont know if this would work with pigs but we feed horses with a little garlic which keeps flys away as the smell is released throught the glands in the skin and repels flys natuarally maybe someone would be able to comment?
Click to expand...


Guinea pigs cannot have garlic or any of the bulb family.

Keeping on top of cleanliness is the best solution. :)
 
Thanks flips didnt think they could but maybe putting some garlic by your hutch would work to the same effect but far enought so the guineas cant get it :)
 
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