Skin Tag on Guinea's Belly?

[Steve10115]

Hi,

This is my first post on the forums, I have read some helpful advice about a couple of issues on other threads over the year or so we have had our guinea pigs. However, I haven't been able to find another thread on this so I am posting myself

We have two male pigs who are about 14 months old, they are both in good health generally. I was giving one of the boys a little bath and applying some coconut oil to a sticky patch around his bum (which I took to be from a gland, the boys have been humping each other a bit lately!) as he hasn't been able to deal with it himself as he usually does. While I was drying and grooming him afterwards I noticed something I hadn't seen before on his belly - I have attached a picture of it.

From looking online I think it may be a simple skin tag, my only hesitation is that the area is free of hair around the growth. It is not red and does not look sore, he didn't mind me touching it. It is a thin sausage shape growth which is black at the end and skin coloured where it meets his belly and is perhaps half a centimetre long at the most. It is a little above the top of his back leg on his belly.

Naturally I would take him to the vet if I thought it was bothering him but as it doesn't seem to be I am looking into it myself first and if I can't find an answer I will take him to the vet later in the week.

Any tips would be much appreciated.

-Stephen.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Hello and welcome to the forums.

Congratulations you have found your guinea pigs nipples you are certainly not the first, and I can guarantee won't be the last, to be confused by a male piggies nipples

 

[Wiebke]

Hi,

This is my first post on the forums, I have read some helpful advice about a couple of issues on other threads over the year or so we have had our guinea pigs. However, I haven't been able to find another thread on this so I am posting myself

We have two male pigs who are about 14 months old, they are both in good health generally. I was giving one of the boys a little bath and applying some coconut oil to a sticky patch around his bum (which I took to be from a gland, the boys have been humping each other a bit lately!) as he hasn't been able to deal with it himself as he usually does. While I was drying and grooming him afterwards I noticed something I hadn't seen before on his belly - I have attached a picture of it.

From looking online I think it may be a simple skin tag, my only hesitation is that the area is free of hair around the growth. It is not red and does not look sore, he didn't mind me touching it. It is a thin sausage shape growth which is black at the end and skin coloured where it meets his belly and is perhaps half a centimetre long at the most. It is a little above the top of his back leg on his belly.

Naturally I would take him to the vet if I thought it was bothering him but as it doesn't seem to be I am looking into it myself first and if I can't find an answer I will take him to the vet later in the week.

Any tips would be much appreciated.

-Stephen.

Hi and welcome!

Like humans, boars have two nipples; they look the same as sow nipples. A fair number of new owners are puzzled by that!
Our sexing guide includes a picture with nipples for that reason: Sexing Guide
Here is our detailed guide for new owners on learning to spot what is normal and what not in a guinea pig body, taking you through the whole body. You may find it very helpful: Guinea pig body quirks

We have got more guides that specifically address the most often encountered issues by new owners, which you can find via this link here. Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

You can access all our guides on a wide range of subjects via the shortcut on the top bar, but you are always welcome to ask any questions you have along the way in our Care sections. We will answer them all in a friendly way.

 

[Steve10115]

Ack I'm so embarrassed...

I promise I did read through all the information here before I posted! I can't believe I have not noticed it before...

 

[Wiebke]

Ack I'm so embarrassed...

I promise I did read through all the information here before I posted! I can't believe I have not noticed it before...

Don't be embarrassed - we all stumble over something sooner or later!

There are so many things you have to take on board when you start out; and male nipples are not exactly a priority!

It is easier to actually use the body quirk guide for the weekly check-over in combination with a weigh-in than just read it. A weekly check allows you to catch many more slowly developing problems early on while they can be addressed a lot more easily than in the advanced stages when it can become a battle for survival.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Ack I'm so embarrassed...

I promise I did read through all the information here before I posted! I can't believe I have not noticed it before...

Really, don't be embarrassed. As Wiebke says it's not exactly a priority when getting to know your piggies and also they can be well hidden under the hair

 

[Claire W]

Don’t be embarrassed. My girl has a really prominent belly button. I nearly took her to the vets when I first had her as I didn’t know what it was!

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum.
It would be lovely to see more pics of your boys

 

[Betsy]

Don't be embarrassed. We all treat each other with respect on this forum No question is too silly to ask. We are a friendly forum and are happy to answer questions in a friendly way. We like to have our fun too! Have a rootle around and you will find some interesting threads. We also get to meet up every so often. There is a Meet Up in Salisbury in September are you close enough to join us?

 

[Flutterby]

Please don't be embarrassed, there is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to our piggies!