Sticky Substance On Fur

[Sher]

Hi guinea pig lovers,

Our Guinea pigs just joined us a month ago and we are trying to learn and understand these adorable creatures better. One of our babies has a sticky substance(most likely from the bedding, pls see attached) near his nose for over a week, and we think it might be due to the juicy grapes we fed him earlier.

Tried using warm towel to wipe off but it's too hard already on the fur. I have searched over the net and found coconut oil would be the cure. But before proceeding I hope to hear further suggestions here to gain more understandings.

Thank you very much for any advice.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome

Are your piggies boys or girls? this may be helpful in the identifcation. If in doubt, please see a vet.
This is not dried fruit juice, as it gets normally cleaned off the face when a piggy washes itself several times a day, or it will be licked off by the mate.

I can't see any hay in your cage - it should make over 80% of the daily food intake whereas fruit should be only a treat that is given twice weekly in small quantities, or could cause lip infection, which can be life threatening in some cases.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diet

New Owners' Online Starter " Booklet" For Really Helpful Advice

 

[VickiA]

Hello and a warm welcome to you and your gorgeous piggies. If they are boys then it is likely to be “boar glue”. Unless it is causing a problem I would probably just leave it alone and hopefully he will be able to groom it out for himself.

 

[3 Musketeers]

@VickiA Mind telling me what this strange substance is?

 

[VickiA]

@VickiA Mind telling me what this strange substance is?

Boar glue is boar ejaculate. Here is a link. Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths
If it is boar glue it is from an over excited companion.

 

[Sher]

Thank you so much for the replies. They are both boys, been grown up together before purchase (although the long hair is more dominant and the other being passive) and around 7 months old. Attached are what we feed, along with hay and red/orange peppers. Thanks for the links Wiebke.

 

[Sher]

It doesn't feel gluey though. More like the texture of a piece of bedding.

 

[Janice C]

Both being boys and able to make baby piggies from 3-4 weeks old it’s likely that they have been practising and they’re not too fussy about which end to try! If it is boar glue as it’s called gentle application of coconut oil should take it off!
They haven’t been showing any wheezy symptoms or runny noses? Check down the sides of front paws in case it’s nasal snot which they’d tend to rub off with paws.
They are very handsome by the way!

 

[Sher]

Thank you Janice. No running nose but sneeze quite often.
Before we were about to purchase coconut oil, he managed to get rid of it himself. The warm towel and his persistence should have helped.
Thanks again for all the answers and help.

 

[Tiamolly123]

Hi & Welcome to our friendly forum. You have the most adorable piggies.