When do you need to start cleaning grease glands?

[Alfientoby]

My piggies are both 4 months old! Yesterday I gave them a full clean out and sprayed the hole hutch down! They also got moved into the shed! When I came into them today their hutch was full of poos! I know they poo a lot but it was like I hadn't cleaned them out for a week! I am going to remove most of the poos but I'm not giving them a full clean outvagain ! Also their pigloo is wet with wee and I'm not washing it as I did so yesterday! I have put hay inside it instead!

Now, around where the tail area is they have got tangles and mats (they were spotless yesterday and I cut the hair round there shorter). I have cut out alk the mats I can but the area is still VERY greasy! The only thing I can think of is that their grease glands are clogged up! They seem fine in themselves! I don't want to give them a bath as the live outside and they could catch colds so is it best to wipe the area with small animal wipes?
Thanks
Leah
X

 

[Alfientoby]

Please help

 

[Lil-Ninnibig]

I use swarfega in my boar, you rub a small amount on grease spot leave 10 mins then wash with gp friendly shampoo, theres nothin you cN do to stop it only clean clean clean, can you not keep them indoors for a few hours while their coat drys? And as for there cage piggys are untidy creatures especially the male variety ! Just keep spot cleAning everyday and do a full cleAnout twice a week thats what i do,, hope this helps

 

[Alfientoby]

I can't keep them indoors and can't really bath them due to a severe allergy. Do you think that wipes would do the trick?
Thanks
Leah
X

 

[Jerrybelly]

I can't keep them indoors and can't really bath them due to a severe allergy. Do you think that wipes would do the trick?
Thanks
Leah
X

I haven't tried, but I don't think wipes alone will work on their grease glands. Swarfega works by dissolving the grease. Wipes would freshen them up, but if the stickiness is grease then I doubt it would help.

 

[Sodapops]

My boys have their grease glands cleaned every 4-6wks (my longer haired ones have a hair trim at the same time) - they also have their 'bits' checked and their 'back ends' cleaned to remove any debris and hair (not a nice job, but hey someone's gotta do it)

The only way you are going to clean their glands is by using a gel like Swafega (diluted fairy washing up liquid works well also) - rubbing it in and leaving it for a few mins then washing it off and giving the area a shampoo with a guinea pig safe shampoo (gorgeous guinea's do some lush products for piggies).

As your boys live outdoors i would keep them indoors until they are fully dry - the weather is freezing at the moment so taking them back outside while they are wet would not be good for them - also as they are so young, you need to be careful with the temperature changes.

I used 'pet-wipes' when i had my first boy & didn't know any better, he's a short haired boy and they made his coat awfully sticky to the touch - so using something like this on the grease gland will probably end up making it worse...

 

[Lil-Ninnibig]

I can't keep them indoors and can't really bath them due to a severe allergy. Do you think that wipes would do the trick?
Thanks
Leah
X

Do you not have a pet carrier? How do you transport them to the vets etc? They will be fine in it for a few hour in the warm of your home to dry, and you mentioned severe allergy? If you are allergic to your pigs to the point you cNnot give them the basic care they need ie-bathing then I'm sorry to say but maybe pigs arent a suitable pet choice for you? Can you not get anyone to bath them for you? The grease gland etc will only get worse and cAuse matting and discomfort for your pigs. I really would not bath them and put them outdoors though they must be fully dry before returning back outside