Ask the Vet: Questions about Exotic Pets. Time to go give my piggy some treats and see if she likes her new cozy we made her this afternoon. Why is my guinea pigs bum swollen? - Pet Animals Care What do I need to know about my guinea pigs' health? What does it mean if a guinea pig has a swollen behind? Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables will help your guinea pig's digestive tract healthy. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. droppings. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Also, if the abscess breaks open, the pus could fatally choke a guinea pig. Whether your guinea pig exhibits these signs or not, its still important to visit the vet so they can run tests to determine the exact cause and treatment for the lump. Wonder if you have a boar or sow? No . She has been eating really well and doing ok by herself. This simple act will help decrease the likelihood of them getting a respiratory infection. What does a guinea pig grease gland look like? Impaction is the build-up of faecal material in the anal sack of the guinea pig because the muscles of the anus have weakened and the guinea pig is no longer able to expel the soft poo. This lining will coat the faecal pellets and at a later time they are re-ingested by your guinea pig. 1 2 Next M munkey Apr 3, 2010 #1 Hi all, and sorry that my first post is a question! Around that area, you may find a spot that is a little sticky. Make sure it is eating and defecating, wash your hands before and after handling, freeze your pet's bedding and food before use, and keep it away from drafts. Be glad to see him. Your guinea pig may have several lipomas at one time. The guinea pig may squint or paw at the eye. There are no specific places where you would look for a lipoma on your guinea pig. Also, due to their short stature, their genitals are low to the ground and will often make contact with droppings and other harmful bacteria. out of the rectum. To accomplish this, flip your guinea pig on his back and smear a small amount of mineral oil inside the anus.Gently push down on the bottom side of the anus and ease the impacted mass out. She is also "projectile weeing" which is consistent with the pressure on her urethra. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, How to Determine the Sex of Your Guinea Pig. Often the only physical abnormalities detected will be an enlarged and flaccid anus impacted with normal, soft feces. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Brimstone suggests trimming rump hair on a long-haired boar before a general cleaning. Correcting dental problems in guinea pigs requires surgery. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. 3 Ways to Help a Constipated Guinea Pig - wikiHow Pet Guinea pigs typically need at least one round of antibiotics following surgical removal of an abscess. If you have a guinea pig who experiences matting or odor in this area, check it regularly and consider doing butt baths or gently cleaning the gland with a cotton swab soaked in a cleaning agent. This is normal, but take the opportunity to check for any redness, dry skin, or soreness. They cause pain and discomfort in your pet and you may also notice that their urine is often bloody due to the irritation the stone causes. Some guinea pigs have been known to snatch cecal feces from other pigs. After rinsing thoroughly I coat his sac with mineral oil (per Pinta's suggestion) to minimize the build-up. My Guinea Pig Has Developed Lumps on His Body There are many reasons why lumps appear, it could be a fatty lipomas or an abscess, it could even be a tumour. I open his sac to remove accumulated feces on an almost daily basis. Do you check his sac? Typically guinea pigs that experience impaction are male and that is due to the 'butt wiping' or 'scent . Why Do Guinea Pigs Rub Their Bums on The Floor? I would go to the vet but it's a good hour's walk away (I don't have a car) and I don't really want to be putting the piggy through the stress of that if it's completely normal and the journey wasn't needed. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. #1. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Some guinea pigs are born blind, while others can go blind as a result of old age. More information can be found at Peter Gurney's site and
Please spread the love and share this with your friends!Every little bit helps. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. If you gently pull the folds apart you should notice two parts: The PERINEAL SAC which is actually 95% of the area and contains a sticky fluid produced from two small glands; The RECTUM which is a small opening where both the caecal pellets and normal fecal pellets are expelled from the digestive tract. Regular checking of all males is recommended. Antibiotics, drainage, and surgery are all common treatments. Guinea pig ailments can be hard to diagnose. "It will be much easier to find his sac under all the hair!". If the swelling is hot to the touch it's most probably an infection. These lighter, softer pellets are called caecal faeces and are very important to your guinea pig's health because they contain important B-complex vitamins. Adjusting Your Guinea Pig's Diet 1 Add soft fruits and veggies to your pet's diet. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Why Is My Guinea Pig Bleeding? (Causes & What To Do) JavaScript is disabled. Thanks. The cause of the abscess will then determine how the wound is treated. Wash your guinea pig's anal sack with warm water and dry it with a soft clean towel. How do I get rid of my guinea pigs impaction? Sometimes, abscesses can form finger-like extensions and extend into nearby tissues, making complete removal difficult. Calcium in a guinea pigs diet is the most common cause of kidney stones. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Fluffy, 3 years old. If you can place the pill near the molars, your guinea pig will not be able to spit it back out easily. Problems with the grease gland arent common, but are certainly possible. If your current bedding (shavings, paper products) collect in your boar's sac, changing to fleece bedding may also help. Thread starter elinak9 Start date Jul 16, 2016; elinak9 Well-known Member. Often, the term 'lumps' refers to swollen neck lymph nodes that become abscesses (pockets of infection). If your guinea pig has diarrhea, the fur on its hind end may contain fecal material. Flushing the abscess periodically will help prevent the abscess from causing problems. If you notice anorexia in your guinea pig or visible swelling around his rib cage, see a veterinarian immediately. Before introducing food or bedding into the cage, make a habit of freezing it for a day. Deanne has been a Board Member of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation in San Antonio, Texas since 2011. Swollen anus,also projectile weeing. Tumors and Cancers in Guinea Pigs | PetMD Brimstone's videos are also very helpful. "How wonderfully informative this shared information is. A guinea pig that is not passing feces may be eating too little food. Talk to your guinea pig as you groom them to keep them calm and relaxed. Your vet would need to sedate or anesthetize your guinea for FNA or a biopsy. Don't take too much notice of the vet. Your vet may recommend removing the lump surgically, lancing and draining it, or injecting it with antibiotics to clear it up. See a vet if you are unsure! Customer: I noticed that my Guinea pig has a swollen butt, and it appears to be oozing. Their secretions are used for scent marking. Feb 25, 2010. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. needs to eat to regain some of it's B-vitamins while the harder Top two photos: typical boars. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. To treat lumps in guinea pigs, it's important that you take your guinea pig to see a vet since lumps often require surgery or antibiotics. If you or your family are feeling ill, it's best to keep your germs to yourself. All guinea pigs are different and even the five most common health ailments can present differently in different animals. Guinea pigs can become what is called "impacted". The guinea pig is usually presented for straining to defecate, constipation, or passing large amounts of foul-smelling soft stool. Calcium in a guinea pig's diet is the most common cause of kidney stones. The lump is on his right hip, and literally popped up overnight. He couldn't say whether it was a lump which was part of the urethra or a lump which was pressing on the urethra. The grease gland may be virtually invisible and suddenly come to life during puberty or new situations. % of people told us that this article helped them. Any kind of physical damage to teeth. She is sitting in her house in the cage, and going to the bathroom inside, she used to always go in a corner. Guinea pigs are sensitive to cold air drafts and can easily develop an upper respiratory infection or even pneumonia if you have a baby guinea pig. Exercise care in removing any debris and. Your vet will use specialized dental instruments to trim and realign the teeth. She holds a BS in Anthropology from Loyola University and an MA in Anthropology from Northern Illinois University. Your guinea pig may have an intestinal blockage (torsion) and/or a dangerous build-up of gas. Congratulations to our Photo Competition Winner - @fur&feathers. "My piggie has developed a small lump on his side. While some guinea pig owners are not able to justify the cost of the procedure, others see the great benefit of having their guinea pigs longer and not having to pay for emergency treatment when they notice their pig is sick. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to prevent lumps in guinea pigs, scroll down! What does guinea pig impaction look like? Guinea Pig's Anal Area Looks Swollen? | The Guinea Pig Forum Her recommendations are to follow up with the local vet and see about the potential of removal of the mass and a biopsy - but - she is 4.5 years old, and that procedure will cost around $1000, give or take a few hundred dollars depending on where we have it done, so it's a decision we need to discuss still. poop that has no nutritional benefit to the guinea pig are pooped In most cases, they are selective, eating only the smaller, moister droppings, which they usually take directly from the anus. 3. Many animals like rabbits are also coprophagic. Take notice of your guinea pig's cage location and be sure to keep them away from drafts, open doors, and open windows. Lice and their eggs are usually seen in the bald patches behind your guinea pig's ears and the mites can be seen microscopically all over the body. Guinea pigs should always be eating and defecating. Its also easier to clean if addressed regularly before youre dealing with a big, clumpy mess! If you notice infrequent urination or bloody urine, call your veterinarian right away and they will do some tests to determine the cause. Swollen bottom? | The Guinea Pig Forum I noticed that my Guinea pig has a swollen, and it appears to be oozing How do you fix an impaction in a guinea pig? Quick grease gland checks are a recommended part of normal care and grooming. They have a small "sac" at the end of their anus called xx. Okay so some background for those unfamiliar; Agent Nibbles is a 6 year old guinea pig I adopted from a shelter a little under a year ago. One is the poo we all know and expect, but the other is a compound of vitamins and proteins that help the guinea pig digest B vitamins. Guinea pigs may eat the soft cecal feces 150 to 200 times in a day, usually directly from the anus. Plain cranberry juice can be quite bitter. Now on a course of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Impaction is very common in older boys and very rare females. She has been back home for the last 8 weeks and has been put in a store bought cage by herself (her cage mate passed away while at the other house) and we have her on care fresh bedding. Spot clean your guinea pig's cage on a daily basis by removing soiled spots and replacing with fresh bedding. What does it mean if a guinea pig has a swollen behind? It may not display this or other websites correctly. I gave him and my other pig some cucumber earlier and he took it from me so I'm assuming he ate it. Conditions - Female with swollen bottom | Guinea Pig Cages Bladder stones are often found on radiographs being taken for a diagnosis of ileus and must be surgically removed. Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. Examine the incision site for signs of infection: redness, swelling, discharge. Last Updated: April 9, 2023 4. The best way to keep your guinea pig healthy is to keep a close watch on your pet. Gently push down on the bottom side of the anus and ease the impacted mass out. Occasionally young boars may develop an impaction. How to Diagnose and Treat Urinary Problems in Guinea Pigs guinea pig. Third and fourth photos: the perineal sac. To get the best service, choose the store closest to you. [1] Joined Mar 2, 2015 . There's a yellowish part in the middle that's the most "leathery" part of his sac.". If your guinea pig reingests the pellets, mineral oil is the best lubricant to use for cleaning purposes. my little Jack's (male) backside is SO swollen, its about the size of a baseball. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. However, the lumps can also be cysts (fluid-filled pockets), lipomas (fat-filled tumors), or skin tumors. Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University. Brimstone also sent a couple pictures of her normal boar, Apollo, who was about 14 months when these were Housing your guinea pigs in suitable accommodation is key to reducing their risk of developing skin conditions. Gently push down on the bottom side of the area and ease the impacted mass out. This lining will coat the faecal pellets and at a later time they are re-ingested by your guinea pig. By knowing what the most common illnesses are, you can be better prepared to monitor for signs and symptoms that your guinea pig may be getting sick. However, UTI can take over in piggies with a weak or lowered immune system. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. How often do guinea pigs go into heat? | Ask A Vet with a veterinarian to be sure. Does your guinea pig have a lump on its body? Puncture wounds that are treated early usually have a good prognosis. A more effective solution is to break down the grime with a natural degreasing element first. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Common Mites of Your Rabbit and Small Animal Part I: Fur Mites. How to Treat Abscesses in Guinea Pigs: 12 Steps (with Pictures) If this condition develops, it's necessary to clear the impaction every day. She's lost weight over time, but doesn't seem in pain or uncomfortable. Food continues to build up in the stomach/intestines and will result in painful bloating as the food/faeces collects and builds up or the guinea pig may have diarrhoea. Hi all, and sorry that my first post is a question! Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. And as a last resort, neutering. 5/ Parasites. Both caecal and fecal pellets become trapped or impacted in the perineal sac. I don't know Rocky's exact age, but I estimate he was at least 5 when these pictures were taken.". The water rinse does a much better job of removing all the gunk from the wrinkles and crevices than Q-tips and mineral oil. You should make sure their accommodation is kept dry and clean with the correct bedding. my guinea pig has lost weight and stopped eating and drinks water sometimes. The anal sack area contains a lining with vital secretions that are important to the nutrition of your guinea pig. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Pododermatitis is a condition in which a guinea pig's footpad becomes inflamed, develops sores, or become overgrown. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Lymphocytic leukemias are more common in guinea pigs under age three. She said there is a mass under her left mammary gland and suspects that it is hormones that are causing the perianal swelling. he just got neutered about. X If she is not eating you will need to syringe feed her you do not want her guts not working try offering her fav veggies and freshly cut grass. You should also give your guinea pig any medication prescribed by the vet. This is important for social status and can be seen in both sexes and castrated males. Typically, this is a poor prognosis. The Anal Sack of the guinea pig is a very delicate area and as such contains vital secretions which will coat guinea pig faecal pellets which will be consumed by them at a later time. Caring for Guinea Pigs' Grease Glands. and how quickly did the swelling come up? And thanks to Brimstone and Paulo Ferraretto for their wonderful photos. How do you know if your guinea pig is impacted? vitamin B deficient because he can no longer eat these benificial This article has been viewed 51,038 times. Also, due to their short stature, their genitals are low to the ground and will often make contact with droppings and other harmful bacteria. Always remember to wash your hands before and after handling your guinea pig. little. Before I can Last Updated: February 5, 2023 They may be caused by a viral infection. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. I managed to get a picture (sorry you have to look at his butt). I use special shampoo for guinea pigs and wash it out very carefully. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The anal sack area contains a lining with vital secretions that are important to the nutrition of your guinea pig. "Just found out our little boar has a UTI! A few older boars may require daily cleaning of the perineal sac. How do I know if my guinea pig has impaction? Your vet will let you know how often the abscess should be flushed.