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Sticky Bums and Flaky Scalps!

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My two boars Bradley and Barney will be coming up for a year old in September. For quite a while now they've had a little problem that I can only desribe as having sticky bums! They're getting lumps of cheesy stuff up their bottoms. Now, I thought that it would work its way out naturally but if I don't use tweezers, within a couple of days their bums are erm...sorta full of this gunky stuff, it isn't half cheesy! :)>>> Smells bad too. Now my boys do tend to mount each other quite a bit, so I wondered if this has anything to do with their problem? My dad asked his friend's wife (who is a veterinary nurse) and she had no idea what it could be.

Also, my boys have begun to itch and scratch quite a bit. I've noticed that they both have flaky skin, like dandruff. Barney who has much longer hair seems to have been affected the most. It has only recently come about after I begun bathing them. I used a Johnsons small animal shampoo and thoroughly washed all the suds off. I tried changing to a different shampoo but with no luck. I've been regularly grooming Barney as his long-ish hair does brushing, but everytime I touch his scalp he starts to jump about. I don't know if this is to do with the hot weather, bathing them or their recent-ish change of cage. :{

Please help me, any advice is most appreciated.

Thank you.
 
Sorry to hear they've got these problems. Unfortunately I'm not sure about the sticky bums part of it, I know there are others who will have a better idea about that though (thinking maybe Niki).

The skin problem sounds like it could be an actual skin condition as opposed to dry skin. Fungal is the one most commonly associated with flaky skin, but it can happen in a form with parasitic conditions too e.g. mites. Have they ever been treated for mites? Any hair loss, or does the hair seem to slide out easily when (gently) tugged?

When bathing, an anti-fungal shampoo would be beneficial, e.g. Nizoral from the chemist (sold for humans with dandruff but safe and effective on guineas) or something like Manuka & Neem from Gorgeous Guineas.

The jumping about when touched is likely to do with the irrititation caused by the skin condition, which should ease when it's been treated.
 
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Ok thank you so very much! I will get some special shampoo right away, I thought at first that it could be fleas but they have no fleas or flea dirt on them. Fingers crossed the shampoo will do the trick. :)
 
Re the sticky bums, I have seen this in a boar myself and it is exactly as you describe. I wonder whether a rescue on here will be able to give further advice as I expect they see it all the time.
 
I bought a shampoo as recommended that is supposed to deal with fleas, mites and everything else. I have bathed my boys once in it and it has helped a little bit, they still both have patches of scaly skin and are still scratching. Regarding the sticky bums, both boys still have that problem. I can't think what on earth it is! :{
 
the sticky bum's is normal in boars - it's their grease gland to get rid of the build up (it will come back!) rub this bit with either washing up liquid or swarfega rub in really well and leave to soak for 5mins - I use gorgeous guineas shampoo which helps with the flaky skin this kind of explains too http://www.guinealynx.info/grooming.html
 
bexholmez14 said:
the sticky bum's is normal in boars - it's their grease gland to get rid of the build up (it will come back!) rub this bit with either washing up liquid or swarfega rub in really well and leave to soak for 5mins - I use gorgeous guineas shampoo which helps with the flaky skin this kind of explains too http://www.guinealynx.info/grooming.html
Click to expand...

But it doesn't seem to be coming from their glands, it's actually right up their bottoms. :{
 
It sounds like they need treating for mites with ivermectin. Bathing, while useful, needs to be repeated weekly for 2-3 weeks, and used in conjunction with something that targets and kills the parasites (ivermectin). Your vet may be able to give them injections or oral solution, or they may recommend a "spot on" treatment to apply to the back of the neck e.g. Xeno.

The spot-on treatments tend to be available in shops/online but if you're unsure what the exact problem is then best go via the vet. :)
 
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