Is this normal? Warning: graphic pic!

[Nicola_]

I was just doing my last minute check up on the boys before going to bed and I noticed Sam's rear end looking a little more noticable than usual so I got him out for a little cuddle and further investigation. It doesn't actually look too different from normal, it's the same colour and shape just protruding a little more.

I took this photo to help people judge whether I should be concerned or not



I haven't noticed any change in behaviours or eating recently and haven't changed anything about their habitat if that's of any help or not.

Thanks

(Oh yeah, he's supposed to be a castrated male as well, I presume that affects the way its supposed to look!)

 

[Pebble]

Very observant Nicola...well done! Yes it is protruding more than it should,

It could be the early signs of a gunky willy where debris etc gets caught up in the foreskin and forces the willy to protrude more. Nothing serious - just means you will have to clean his foreskin/willy a bit more often than the rest.

http://www.guineapigwelfare.org.uk/guinea-pig-care/health/just-for-boars/

Don;t panic...from the photo it looks like this is really minor and hopefully should be a one-off event...however you need to keep an eye on him>

x

 

[Stewybus]

Yes, I agree with Pebble. One of our 2 boars, Mitch has the same condition but worse than in the picture. I clean it very gently with lukewarm water & cotton buds. Often there is a hard build up underneath the foreskin & this needs to be removed by gentle cleaning. I now have to clean Mitch every few days but it's not unpleasant like cleaning anal impaction.

 

[Bekki]

I agree its a bit to far out, my 3 lads arent as far out :-) reread your post makes more sense now, was looking for his man baubles and was like eh there arent any haha yes hes castrated that'd be why then. Cleaning boy bits isnt bad, I clean my lads as they're mingers and always seem to get hay in there!

 

[Nicola_]

Thanks everyone. I now have a silly amount of questions about how to clean him!

The lukewarm water - should that be boiled water or is just normal tapwater ok?

The cotton buds - I have some with a pointy bid at one end and like a paddle bit the other - would either of these be ok or should I get the normal ended ones?

The process - do I just put a finger either side of his bits with a little pressure (I'm guessing this will make it protrude further?) and then gently wipe all around it with the cottonbud? Is there any bits I should focus on more than others? Will it be obvious where I should be cleaning?

Finally, should I clean Frodo as well just in case or wait for any signs of it being necessary?

Thanks again, apologies for all the questions, I'm a little nervous of doing this and don't want to do anything to make it worse!

 

[Nicola_]

Bump - would really like a bit of extra advice before I go ahead with cleaning him

Thanks

 

[LisaAli]

Hi,

What you say in your post is about right, have a look at this link ( very very graphic ) its advice is the same as you say..

http://www.guinealynx.info/impaction.html#privates

Lisa & Ali..x

 

[Nicola_]

Thank you! Hopefully we can get through it as easily as nail clipping was

 

[Dindypig]

Thanks everyone. I now have a silly amount of questions about how to clean him!

The lukewarm water - should that be boiled water or is just normal tapwater ok?Tap water is ok but room temp water from the boiled kettle if you prefer.

The cotton buds - I have some with a pointy bid at one end and like a paddle bit the other - would either of these be ok or should I get the normal ended ones? So long as they are quality ones that don't disintegrate when you use them.

The process - do I just put a finger either side of his bits with a little pressure (I'm guessing this will make it protrude further?) Feel just behind his foreskin until you find his penis, run your finger back to find the base of his penis (about 2 cm), place your thumb and forefinger of your other hand on either side of his penis and with your original finger gently push his penis forward, this may take more than one attempt but you will learn the trick of it soon enough and then gently wipe all around it with the cottonbud? Yes Is there any bits I should focus on more than others? Near the base of his penis there will probably be an offwhite band of smeg that needs to be removed. Will it be obvious where I should be cleaning? Yes, it should be pink with no hairs or hay etc wrapped around it.

Finally, should I clean Frodo as well just in case or wait for any signs of it being necessary? It is worth inspecting him as part of your regular health checks.

Thanks again, apologies for all the questions, I'm a little nervous of doing this and don't want to do anything to make it worse! If you feel you are unable to do it then ask your vet to show you or ask your local guinea pig rescue or even a member on here that lives local to you might be willing to show you how

 

[Nicola_]

Thank you Dindypig - that is really helpful. I'm going to give it a go tomorrow morning - hopefully it should go ok as he's a very placid piggy and lets me poke and prod him quite a bit and gave no fuss at having his nails clipped If I struggle at all I will hunt out some help, unfortunately I'm not near any recommended rescue or vets but I do know my vet has 3 piggies of her own so hopefully that means she knows enough about them to help me out with this if need be! I'll let you all know how I get on.