Piggie With Greasy And Sensitive Hair-help?

[Bethanym471]

Hi,

My 2 year old male long haired guinea pig has become very sensitive to having his hair brushed. I barely touch his hair (not pulling or his skin) and he squeals like mad. He has been at the vets and he doesn’t have a skin infection (not flacky/spotty etc). His hair has become very greasy over the last few months and all the saw dust is getting stuck in it. It’s his full body not just grease gland.

He gets a bath every 4/5 months but last time it made no differece I use piggie shampoo out of pets at home.

He lives with 3 other boys (1 long hair) and everyone else is fine.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what’s wrong? Or what we can do? It’s killing me seeing him in so much pain with a simple touch- he used to love getting brushed and tickled.

 

[Betsy]

Did the vet rule out mites at all?

 

[Bethanym471]

Hi yes she did because no one else is scratchy. She gave him medicine, sorry can’t remember the name (he had to take it twice a day), but it made no difference.

 

[Wiebke]

Have you checked the grease gland again? It is there to coat the whole body, so over time an overactive grease will make the whole hair greasy. My long-haired coronet Carwyn went all over greasy when he suffered from an overactive grease gland for a time.
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

Some long-haired piggies that do not loke being groomed or bathed can - like a child - just start protesting as you as look like touching hair.

 

[Bethanym471]

Hi I will check again, we have cleaned it a few times. I had read on heat coconut oil is good at loosening it from the skin.

At the moment it has got so tuggy it is hard to bathe, brush or do anything. I have been trying with a wide tooth Comb.

What would be the best process? Cut tugs out, grease gland then bathe?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi I will check again, we have cleaned it a few times. I had read on heat coconut oil is good at loosening it from the skin.

At the moment it has got so tuggy it is hard to bathe, brush or do anything. I have been trying with a wide tooth Comb.

What would be the best process? Cut tugs out, grease gland then bathe?

Cut out any matted hair, treat for the grease and then groom. We are recommending coconut oil, if you look up the guide I have linked into my last post.

 

[Bethanym471]

Oh thank you. I will have a go at the weekend (getting a bit late now) and report back!

Fingers crossed!

 

[Wiebke]

Oh thank you. I will have a go at the weekend (getting a bit late now) and report back!

Fingers crossed!

All the best! Expect some drama. Thankfully my 'peru mafia' (auntie, mum and daughter) is very elderly now and has settled down, so there is less 'trampolin karate' going on when it comes to haircuts...

I would recommend to give him a short haircut so any hair care has less to cover. The hair will grow back again.