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Swollen bum

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Newtothis09

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi,

I have 2 boars and one of them has a swollen bum it looks like a lump just after his bum? I have made an appointment with the vet he seems to be eating and drinking ok. Any ideas what this could be? Thankyou.
 
I'm glad youve got a vet appointment .
I'm afraid sight unseen, we could not guess. You could add a picture but he does need a vet to diagnose any issue
 
Piggies&buns said:
I'm glad youve got a vet appointment .
I'm afraid sight unseen, we could not guess. You could add a picture but he does need a vet to diagnose any issue
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Hi

I have taken a picture it's not the best but it it a bit like a lump?
 

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Or is a different lump away from testicles which perhaps isn’t coming across in the picture?
 
It is hard to take a picture of it when I am holding him, it's like a small lump but only one and he hasn't had it before it is near his bottom.
 
Good luck at the vets. I hope it’s something easily treated.
 
Hi, we have just got back from the vets. The vet said it is his willy that is swollen and he pushed out a lot of white gunk? He wasn't sure what is was but he has given us a course of antibiotics and anti inflammatorys to take and said if he isn't better by Friday to ring him back? Has anyone had any experience of something similar? Thankyou
 
Glad you got it seen. I’m sure it was very uncomfortable for him. How old is he? Some piggies get lazy with old age or sometimes arthritis can stop them cleaning themselves properly. You may need to check his penis often to make sure there isn’t another build up.

Section 3 may help

Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths
 
weepweeps said:
Glad you got it seen. I’m sure it was very uncomfortable for him. How old is he? Some piggies get lazy with old age or sometimes arthritis can stop them cleaning themselves properly. You may need to check his penis often to make sure there isn’t another build up.

Section 3 may help

Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths
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Thankyou I will have a read of that.

He is going to be 2 in June so he is only young?
 
Piggies&buns said:
It may be a build up of smegma.
Do read the boar care that has been linked in as it explains more
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Hi, he seems a lot better but I have got some more out today, do you think this is smegma? He has finished his antibiotics.
 

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Ramia said:
It looks like a sperm rod.
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That is what I was wondering, the vet got a few clumps like this out and I got a small clump out yesterday and I noticed he still had a lump near his Penis today when giving his medication and that came out. Is that normal?
 
My boys clean their penises, but maybe your boy isn't cleaning it?
 
Ramia said:
My boys clean their penises, but maybe your boy isn't cleaning it?
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This is a recent thing in the last few weeks? My other boy seems fine no build up or lumps? Doesn't anyone know what could be the cause of this suddenly occurring? He will be 2 next month.
 
Newtothis09 said:
Hi, he seems a lot better but I have got some more out today, do you think this is smegma? He has finished his antibiotics.
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Gosh that is huge. He will be feeling so much better with that out. Definitely a sperm rod. Probably not that normal no. I’ve had 11 boars in total and none of mine have ever got them. But some boars do. Hopefully he’s still on painkillers as I’m sure he’s still tender down there. I’d keep an eye on him now in case he gets another one.
 
weepweeps said:
Gosh that is huge. He will be feeling so much better with that out. Definitely a sperm rod. Probably not that normal no. I’ve had 11 boars in total and none of mine have ever got them. But some boars do. Hopefully he’s still on painkillers as I’m sure he’s still tender down there. I’d keep an eye on him now in case he gets another one.
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He has had about 4 of those similar size now, the vet put him on antibiotics and anti inflammatorys, he has finished his antibiotics today but still got a couple doses of the other. Could it be due to a hormone spike?
 
It could be Spring is making him a bit frisky. He will need a regular inspection down there, poor boy. Some pigs are prone to these 😛
 
Newtothis09 said:
Hi, he seems a lot better but I have got some more out today, do you think this is smegma? He has finished his antibiotics.
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Hi

This is a rather large sperm rod - dried semen fluid. Some boars can produce a lot of semen fluid, especially during teenage hormone spikes but also at other stages of life. The rods can be very uncomfortable and can do rather some damage or cause a nasty infection in the penis sac if not removed, hence the antibiotics.

Just keep an eye on his bits on a daily or at least twice weekly basis for the time being. Not the nicest of job but that is boars for you...

For reference pictures and tips what to check for in boars: Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths
 
Some boys are just not very good at keeping their gentlepig underbits clean. One of my boys is always spotlessly clean but the other needs regular peepee checks and bum baths. He seems to be getting better as he gets older though.
 
My Rainbow Boy Silver Fox Christian had regular sperm rods that I had to clear at least twice a week as he couldn't clear them himself as he had spinal arthritis and I had to clean his very stinky willy almost on a daily basis🤢. This was his largest sperm rod that I cleared (VERY gently).

HUGE Sperm Rod.webp
 
Hi everyone, just a bit of an update... Rocky has continued to have sperm rods every few days I have been removing them and he is his usual cheeky self eating/drinking and running about. Do you think this requires another trip to the vet or is this just something that I have to do now? The problem I have is the vet I saw the first time didn't seem to know what it was it is only from speaking to you all and researching online that I have identified as a sperm rod?
 
Newtothis09 said:
Hi everyone, just a bit of an update... Rocky has continued to have sperm rods every few days I have been removing them and he is his usual cheeky self eating/drinking and running about. Do you think this requires another trip to the vet or is this just something that I have to do now? The problem I have is the vet I saw the first time didn't seem to know what it was it is only from speaking to you all and researching online that I have identified as a sperm rod?
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Hi

If you can remove the rods yourself before they can cause problems, then you do not need to see your vet.

There is no medical treatment for overactive sperm fluid production; just basically being on the ball as an owner. Things should however hopefully settle down again once his current hormone high is coming down. Rocky is unfortunately at the upper end of sperm production, as boys go.

Boar care can be a bit more hands-on with some boys than you'd ever imagined - but on the other hand, adult and older sows with hormonal ovarian cysts and nonstop seasons are no joy, either... ;)

For your peace of mind I hope that things are going to settle down again soon! I would still continue to check him more often. There is no set interval for boar bit checks - some boys can require nearly daily to twice weekly inspections, especially during teenage, and some can get away with a fortnightly or monthly check as adults.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi

If you can remove the rods yourself before they can cause problems, then you do not need to see your vet.

There is no medical treatment for overactive sperm fluid production; just basically being on the ball as an owner. Things should however hopefully settle down again once his current hormone high is coming down. Rocky is unfortunately at the upper end of sperm production, as boys go.

Boar care can be a bit more hands-on with some boys than you'd ever imagined - but on the other hand, adult and older sows with hormonal ovarian cysts and nonstop seasons are no joy, either... ;)

For your peace of mind I hope that things are going to settle down again soon! I would still continue to check him more often. There is no set interval for boar bit checks - some boys can require nearly daily to twice weekly inspections, especially during teenage, and some can get away with a fortnightly or monthly check as adults.
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Thankyou for your reply that has put my mind at ease as I was worrying that there was something wrong causing the issue in the first place. I have been able to remove them myself and I am checking him every day for them and if they are stuck I give him a bum bath and can usually get them out that way. Just another job to add to the list haha!
 
Newtothis09 said:
Thankyou for your reply that has put my mind at ease as I was worrying that there was something wrong causing the issue in the first place. I have been able to remove them myself and I am checking him every day for them and if they are stuck I give him a bum bath and can usually get them out that way. Just another job to add to the list haha!
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Whoever told you that guinea pigs were low maintenance was a liar...

But it is not a health issue as such; just a temporary care issue and one that is going to settle down again eventually although he may need more regular checks than the 'easy boys'. His semen fluid is obviously not clearing from the penis shaft as much as with other boars - but on the other hand, you don't want to really know all the strange places 'boar glue' (dried ejected semen fluid) can end up with aimlessly humping or masturbating boars. 'Boar glue' is a very descriptive name! :yikes:

Just make sure that you also check the skin (including the underside of the feet) for tiny cracks and redness with near daily baths that soften the thick skin on the foot soles and can make it more penetrable for germs.
Get hold of some leucillin antiseptic spray online or in a pet shop if there are localised signs of impending infection (please do not add to the skin softening by using the spray as a prevention). It is safe to use on guinea pigs but use it only as and when really needed.

I sincerely hope that the overproduction is going to settle down soon and you can take a breather! ;)
 
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