What causes impaction?

[Alicia]

I don't understand it, does something inside the guinea-pig just stop working? Is there any way to prevent impaction? I've had 5 boars before and 2 of them have had impaction and died not long after, I now have 1 boar left, Barry and I'm very worried about him getting it in the future. I think its the way I care for them, maybe they are getting too much of a certain food or not enough of something? I don't want Barry to get impacted, is there anyway to prevent it?

Sorry for another thread on this

 

[alisont]

I know others will have better advice than me but one of my boars Monty started getting impacted when around 4 years old - I've always been a fan of the late Peter Gurney and read what he had to say about impactation there is a link to a page by him here:

http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/analimpact.htm

Or guineapig Lynx site link:

http://www.guinealynx.info/impaction.html

I basically was having to keep such a close eye on Monty and clean him out was such twice a day or whenever needed.

About this time I started giving Monty mint and have no proof it helped but he eats mint a lot and now is not impacted. I also moved all my guineas to Burgess Excel dry mix - I use to get Gerty guinea years ago before I knew a lot more about guineas and was not on forums like this back then. Monty has probiotics too in his water - got mine form Thistle cavies.

I also noticed a big difference bringing him inside - could keep a better eye on him, he gets more attention - I decided he had to come inside the winter before last. He is 6 this year.

Monty was never neutered - again I know more about the importance of neutering and guinea care than I use to years back.

I'm sure others with more knowledge than me will reply too

A link to an old thread:

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=35391&highlight=impactation

 

[DemeterlovesPumpkins]

idk....koto is always impacted! since i first got him..felt it was due to old age, i have now had him for 3 yrs and he is still getting impacted...i just dont know..

 

[danone]

what are the signs of impaction ?