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Reasons for overactive grease gland?

Wiebke said:
The guide states clearly that washing up liquid should not be used and swarfega only very carefully. Since every time the grease gland is brought up somebody is bound to mention these two as they are widely touted online, we had to include them into the guide, but this has been done in a differentiated manner. ;)
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@Wiebke , please can the pinned thread below be updated to match the Boy Care Guide? Our girlies get the odd crusty grease gland and, as they're not boars, that was what I looked at - and it read to me very much as though Swafega was just as good and safe a choice as coconut oil. (Fortunately I used coconut oil as it was what I had, but if I'd had Swafega in then I may well have reached for that instead :() Thankyou :D
How To Bathe Guinea Pigs - Including Ears & Grease Glands
 
I’ve just given Ellen a bum bath with a spot of olive oil (thank you @Posyrose) and it’s worked a treat but I too would have reached for the Swafega if I’d have had some in or even the washing up liquid and I would have hated to have harmed Ellen :( Anyway, I’ve ordered some coconut oil as a back up so thank you @Wiebke :)
 
Tangle said:
@Wiebke , please can the pinned thread below be updated to match the Boy Care Guide? Our girlies get the odd crusty grease gland and, as they're not boars, that was what I looked at - and it read to me very much as though Swafega was just as good and safe a choice as coconut oil. (Fortunately I used coconut oil as it was what I had, but if I'd had Swafega in then I may well have reached for that instead :() Thankyou :D
How To Bathe Guinea Pigs - Including Ears & Grease Glands
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This guide is sadly very much out of date anyway and has been ear marked for replacement.

Anybody who would like to update it with the appropriate pictures (no sink!) and our new recommendations re. frequency and necessecity of bathing, bum bathing, grease gland cleaning etc. is most welcome as I haven't found the time to do so yet. I have got only so much free time, and that is mostly spent on answering threads.
 
I really wish I hadn’t have written this thread now :( I was merely asking about Ellen’s grease gland and the best way of cleaning it and whether it could be due to a medical condition but some people now seem to think that the old threads were giving out the wrong advise including myself. From looking at past threads about grease glands, I’ve noticed that quite a few people recommend the wrong treatment for bathing grease glands. I didn’t mean to upset anyone. At least Ellen’s grease gland is now clean from the spot of olive oil and I’ve ordered the coconut oil thanks to Wiebke and Posyrose :) I don’t mind writing a new thread :)
 
I’ve never, ever cleaned a grease gland in all the years I’ve had piggies. Simon was saying it’s generally unnecessary, unless there is a problem with the gland and by cleaning it, you’re only stimulating the gland to produce more grease.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
I’ve never, ever cleaned a grease gland in all the years I’ve had piggies. Simon was saying it’s generally unnecessary, unless there is a problem with the gland and by cleaning it, you’re only stimulating the gland to produce more grease.
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Really? Could it be due to a medical problem?
 
Claire W said:
Really? Could it be due to a medical problem?
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Occasionally they can get an infected grease gland, but it is rare. What we need to remember is, these are animals and they are capable of cleaning themselves adequately. I don't bath piggies either, unless they need it, as it is more likely to cause the skin to become dry.
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Occasionally they can get an infected grease gland, but it is rare. What we need to remember is, these are animals and they are capable of cleaning themselves adequately. I don't bath piggies either, unless they need it, as it is more likely to cause the skin to become dry.
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Thank you. I don’t think it’s infected but she had a lot of greasy bits all round her bum fur :( She looks normal again now though.
I only bathe my pigs about once a year unless it’s for a medical reason x
 
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