Mucky bottom?

[Liane]

I have a long-haired guinea pig, Glinda, who just can't seem to keep her bottom clean lately. She's had the occasional messy-bottom before, but this is different.

She's otherwise healthy - eats well, clean, shiny coat, clean ears, energetic. But the hair around her back legs is discoloured, sometimes with brown clumps, and her actual bottom area is brown and looks...furry, is the only way I'd describe it. I bath her, but she gets dirty again quickly. I even gave her a really awful hair cut to try and reduce the problem!

Also, no signs of diarrhea. Poops look as perfect as poops should look rolleyes


I've been looking at GuineaLynx but I can't seem to find answers.

 

[piggyfan]

I would take her to the vet. She may be unwell and unable to care for herself. This really needs to be controlled now as it could turn into fly strike. This will also be making her skin sore.

 

[Liane]

I would take her to the vet. She may be unwell and unable to care for herself. This really needs to be controlled now as it could turn into fly strike. This will also be making her skin sore.

Oh no! What do you think could be wrong? I've not seen any signs of diarrhoea or incontinence. I've tried to keep her as clean as possible. I'll see if I can get an appointment tomorrow. Poor Glinda

 

[Little Pig]

Don't panic about it yet. How old is she? Is she showing any signs of arthritis as this could explain why she isn't cleaning herself very well any more? Try to keep the hair around her bottom as short as possible and check her daily. Fly strike isn't very likely given the time of year, but regular checks are still important. If you are having to clean her frequently, I wouldn't personally use a shampoo or product every time (or at all) - just warm water should do it.

I do think a vet trip could be helpful some time soon though. I'm not sure, but I think sometimes bladder infections can cause pigs to wee on themselves?

 

[Connie]

What kind of muck is it exactly? Because she would only really be at risk of fly strike if she was fairly dirty and you wernt cleaning it (and you clearly are cleaning her, so dont panic just yet)

Now for the discusting question ... Is it dried on poop? (if so, it may be that she is having trouble bending down to get the soft poops that piggies redigest. Your vet may be able to come up with some solutions to this. Or it may be that her normal poops are slightly soft, feeding a little probiotic can help with this)

Is it that its wee stains? Although annoying, and does require bum bathing to remove and keep clean, this is not TOO much of a problem. I have a white piggy... I could wash him clean (so it was all shiny white again), but 20 minutes later hes yellow again. He has no problems weeing etc, just whenever he does wee it stains.

Is it greasy/dirt generally? Like she just needs a wash?
If she were a he, i would suggest it was the grease gland, do female piggies even have a grease gland? (I have noooo idea. :/ )

 

[Liane]

Thank you for your detailed responses

Glinda is only 10 months old, and she's quite active so I don't think it would be arthritis? That would be unusual in such a young pig?

She is white and blonde, but mainly white around her bottom. The hair turns yellow/brown, and then there are bits of tried poop stuck to her fur. My main concern is her actual anus, which is very discoloured and - this may sound strange - but it looks furry until cleaned.

I think girls do have a grease gland, each of my girls have a little patch at their 'tail'.

 

[Connie]

Ive never had girls. You learn something new every day.
Perhaps you could take a picture of her hairy bottom for us? (my piggies have testicals which are hairy anyway, so I'm finding it hard to imagine what you mean. sorry.)

When you clean it, does it change to a different colour?

I would defiantly be getting hold of some probiotics, just to see if it makes a difference. This can be brought in the dreaded pets at home (its called pro-C in there) or it can easily be ordered online. Its great stuff.

my piggies have slightly long hair, and they often get the odd little mat. I just snip it off and carry on grooming them. However this sounds a little more concerning.

I would also recomend a vet visit, however it isnt an emergency just best to get her checked out. Do you have a cavvy savvy vet near you?

Ive found i just have to keep my boys hair short. They are a mix, so not totally long haired, but one is an abby cross, the other has only long hair near his botty, so i just trim it all regularly.

What bedding do they live on?

(sorry for all the questions mallethead)

 

[Liane]

They are currently on dust-extracted woodshavings, with hay and some newspaper (extra bedding). They had been on fleece but I'm having trouble with the washing machine

I'll try the probiotics. Should I maybe decrease her veg intake for a few days, as I've heard that can sometimes cause soft poo? If it is the veg, that can be easily solved?

I'll get Glinda and try and hold her still for a picture, will post again soon

 

[Liane]

Glinda is refusing to play ball! I will try again when Dad gets in from work.

 

[Connie]

Thats ok, thanks for trying. I will keep and eye out for pictures.

Does the problem go back to before they were on woodshaving? Or inly since?

(dont talk to me about applicances, our oven broke 2 weeks ago!)

Cutting out her veg is a good idea, however make sure shes getting her pellets just in case she is poorly. Cutting the veg wont cut her vit C level as the probiotic has that in.

 

[Liane]

I've noticed it has been worse since being on woodshavings, but she has previously had a slight problem getting clean :{

 

[Connie]

It might be that the wee sits with woodshavings in a way it doesnt with fleece, thats making her damp and more likely to get dirty. :/ either way a picture would be good, and a vet check up.