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My guinea pig, Pal

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-mazza-

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Hi there, i've had guinea pigs for a few years now, lost my amazing boy early last year and my ginger fatty this summer, and i was gutted.

I have now just adopted a one year old little boy who's great. Very chatty and friendly. However i've noticed over the last few weeks (i think its his sweat glands? on his rear end but a good inch or two above his genitals?) seem to be dirty or blocked. They're more noticeable than my other boy's were. I bathed him in some warm water, but nothing more, and it hasnt got any better but at the same time no worse. Any ideas? He doesn't seem to be uncomfortable of sore and his bedding is cleaned every 2 to 3 days so he's fairly clean. He also lives inside, could this be anything to do with it, as i was once told by a vet they dont cope well in temperatures above room temp...

Any help would be appreciated thanks!
 
What you have described is very common in male pigs. It is his grease gland that is causing the problem. You need to clean the area with a drop of washing up liquid, it cuts through the grease, just like washing greasy crockery!
It may help to trim the hair, if it is really caked in grease. There is nothing you can do to prevent the problem, just keep a check on the area and clean if or when necessary.
Some people use Swarfega grease remover but washing up liquid is less likely to degrease your own skin.
 
My male piggies had a similar problem. Standard stuff such as fairy liquid, Johnsons baby bath, special piggie shanpoos did nothing to resolve it so I cleaned them with Swarfega (orange hand gel version from Tecos) as per other forums whcih was temporarily effective.

However I would caution you against this [*]if your pig is an adult boar sharing with another adult boar[/*]. It removes the hierarchaical scents and starts a whole new "top piggie" battle...and if you have feisty (Abyssinian) adult boars it could end in tears. My Aby boars started a fight after being cleaned even though they were both on neutral territory, I went in with a large beach towel approprately wrapped to separate them...but I still I got a killing "backbone" bite on my right hand that severed two tendons.........and the pigs could never be re-united.

P.S Just for the benefit of forum info: "Him-***-dunnit" has been given extra Vit C recently (50mg per day) plus frusemide diuretic and an ACE inihibitor (for possible heart problems) and interestingly he no longer has a problem with his grease gland...:{:..and a lovely silky coat.
 
I know that females have the grease gland too, so is it possible for females piggies to get the same problem, but to a lesser extent.
 
I have heard of some sows developing mild build ups of grease, yes.

Welcome to the forum, mazza, I hope the advice you have received thus far helps with your question and helps you clean your boar. I'm sorry you lost two guineas this year, I hope your new boy is helping heal your heart and you are able to remember your past pigs fondly.

And welcome too Pebble, I also find it very interesting that since being treated for heart problems his grease gland has stopped going into overdrive! Certainly something to investigate more.
 
OK, thankyou ever so much guys, i will try that straight away!

(Pal says thanks too ;) )
 
Pebble, surely the pig primary scent comes from the scent glands and not the grease gland?
 
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