Wet chin on guinea pig

[Harvey16]

I have a 2 year old guinea pig. He constantly has a wet patch under his chin. I have tried drying it several times, have bathed him and keep his cage dry and clean. I’m thinking could it be from water bottle? Has anyone else had this problem. I have attached picture. Thanks

 

[Siikibam]

Hi there. Does it appear like he’s dribbling? As in, he has a wet chin even when he hasn’t been drinking? How’s his eating and pooing? He looks a tiny bit patchy under his chin, or is it because it’s wet? Dribbling can be a sign of dental problems, as I’ve read on here. But wait till someone more knowledgable comes along to answer you properly.

Two things I would like to mention. Piggies keep themselves pretty clean so only bath him if he’s covered in muck (poo and wee). At most, a bum bath is all that you need. Did you bath him because of one of the aforementioned problems?

Secondly, piggies are herd animals and do better living with their own. Please think seriously about getting your boy a (male) friend to live with. If you have a rescue near you, ask if they do dating so he can pick his own friend. No matter how much you interact with and spend time with him, you can’t replace that interaction with another of his kind.

Sit tight and wait for more informed answers to the dribbling tomorrow.

PS he’s gorgeous

 

[Wiebke]

I have a 2 year old guinea pig. He constantly has a wet patch under his chin. I have tried drying it several times, have bathed him and keep his cage dry and clean. I’m thinking could it be from water bottle? Has anyone else had this problem. I have attached picture. Thanks View attachment 110095

Hi!

Watch how he is drinking. Some piggies are very messy when drinking. See whether you may want to adjust the height/position of the water bottle.

Also have a look at his front teeth. If they are even and not slanted, jagged or inward growing, then there is no worry about a dental overgrowth in the back teeth. In a balanced dental system the front teeth self-sharpen and don't need any extra measures or clipping.

Keeping an eye on them is useful during your weekly weigh-in and body onceover health check, so you can catch developing dental problems early on.

Smaller or funny poos are related to a decreased food intake and could be an indicator that there is an issue with swallowing etc. in the mouth in conjunction with a wet chin.

If in doubt, please see a vet for a check.


Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?
Weight - Monitoring and Management

 

[Swissgreys]

Hi and Welcome to the Forum


My first thought with a guinea pig who has a wet chin would be dental problems?
How is his weight?
Do you weigh regularly, and if so has it changed recently?

 

[Harvey16]

Hi there. Does it appear like he’s dribbling? As in, he has a wet chin even when he hasn’t been drinking? How’s his eating and pooing? He looks a tiny bit patchy under his chin, or is it because it’s wet? Dribbling can be a sign of dental problems, as I’ve read on here. But wait till someone more knowledgable comes along to answer you properly.

Two things I would like to mention. Piggies keep themselves pretty clean so only bath him if he’s covered in muck (poo and wee). At most, a bum bath is all that you need. Did you bath him because of one of the aforementioned problems?

Secondly, piggies are herd animals and do better living with their own. Please think seriously about getting your boy a (male) friend to live with. If you have a rescue near you, ask if they do dating so he can pick his own friend. No matter how much you interact with and spend time with him, you can’t replace that interaction with another of his kind.

Sit tight and wait for more informed answers to the dribbling tomorrow.

PS he’s gorgeous

I don’t think he’s dribbling but I’m not 100% sure. I am new to the piggy scene and it’s my first one. I only bathed him once to try see how his chin was. I only have one piggy because I’m not allowed another and my brother is asthmatic. I do take him out every day 2/3 times for about 30 mins each time. He seems quite happy on his own. His eating and pooing is normal. He eats loads of hay, guinea pig nuts and vegetables every day and have no problem with him eating and always finishes his veggies. I’m not sure if he’s patchy underneath it’s very hard to dry him fully to have a look as he won’t sit still for long. Online it says it could be a fungal infection but I don’t think so

 

[Harvey16]

Hi and Welcome to the Forum


My first thought with a guinea pig who has a wet chin would be dental problems?
How is his weight?
Do you weigh regularly, and if so has it changed recently?

Hi
I’ve tried to check teeth as much as I can and they seem normal. He’s not in any pain or anything. Yes weigh regularly and has mainted around the same weight

 

[Harvey16]

Hi!

Watch how he is drinking. Some piggies are very messy when drinking. See whether you may want to adjust the height/position of the water bottle.

Also have a look at his front teeth. If they are even and not slanted, jagged or inward growing, then there is no worry about a dental overgrowth in the back teeth. In a balanced dental system the front teeth self-sharpen and don't need any extra measures or clipping.

Keeping an eye on them is useful during your weekly weigh-in and body onceover health check, so you can catch developing dental problems early on.

Smaller or funny poos are related to a decreased food intake and could be an indicator that there is an issue with swallowing etc. in the mouth in conjunction with a wet chin.

If in doubt, please see a vet for a check.


Guinea pig body quirks - What is normal and what not?
Weight - Monitoring and Management

Hi
His teeth seem to be in good health and no problems. Poos and food intake are normal and have no problem with him eating or drinking.
I do think it might be bottle leaking on him when he drinks. I just hope it’s nothing more.
I think I will bring him for a check up anyways to the vets.

 

[Siikibam]

I don’t think he’s dribbling but I’m not 100% sure. I am new to the piggy scene and it’s my first one. I only bathed him once to try see how his chin was. I only have one piggy because I’m not allowed another and my brother is asthmatic. I do take him out every day 2/3 times for about 30 mins each time. He seems quite happy on his own. His eating and pooing is normal. He eats loads of hay, guinea pig nuts and vegetables every day and have no problem with him eating and always finishes his veggies. I’m not sure if he’s patchy underneath it’s very hard to dry him fully to have a look as he won’t sit still for long. Online it says it could be a fungal infection but I don’t think so

If he’s eating and pooing well and is maintaining then maybe the bottle is the problem as has been said. Or the way he drinks water.

He may seem happy but he’d be even happier if he had a friend. They do need companionship (their own kind) and you can’t be there 24/7. Is your brothers asthma made worse by the piggy or the hay? I’m really sorry but if you’re not allowed another I would seriously think about giving up the one you have. But it’s your choice though.

Also if you’re worried just pop him to the vet. Better to be over cautious