If the incision site looks abnormal, take your guinea pig to your vet for treatment. Let us know how you go on. "Since Rocky's sac is so leathery it requires more frequent monitoring and cleaning. -- and act to spread white blood cells and to filter infectious pathogens and foreign bodies that enter the body. To find the grease gland, trace your fingers down the spine to the tailbone. By using our site, you agree to our. [8] 5 Detect a decreased appetite. Antibiotics can cause a fatal intestinal problem called enterotoxemia in guinea pigs. Brimstone suggests trimming rump hair on a long-haired boar before a general cleaning. The following are some of the most common causes of nose bleeding in guinea pigs: Fungal or bacterial infection Tooth root blemish Blood clotting problems Injury to the teeth by chewing on electric cords Tumor in the nasal cavity or space-occupying growths Foreign body in the nose, such as inhaled vegetable matter (grass and seed) By diagnosing, treating, and preventing urinary issues, you can keep your guinea pig happy and healthy. Does your guinea pig have a lump on its body? Guinea pigs are susceptible to external parasites like lice, mites, and fleas. 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. This article has been viewed 90,549 times. She is acting totally normal and is not in any discomfort, eating and drinking well, and there are no signs of infection. Your vet may have to flush the abscess several times to make sure all of the pus is out. There is no need to restrict cranberry juice, but if your guinea pig loves it you may want to stick to one cup (236 ml) a day to avoid stomach upset. It is important to note any change in behavior, appetite, elimination (urination and defecation), or other daily habits. A little yucky, but totally normal. Last Updated: October 9, 2022 out of the rectum. This will help your guinea pig's anal muscles relax, causing the poop to come out. guinea pig. JavaScript is disabled. Provide your guinea pig with a good diet which includes unlimited high quality hay to keep that food moving! To accomplish this, flip your guinea pig on his back and smear a small amount of mineral oil inside the anus. I too didn't think that what he was saying correlated with what she has. Cysts become a problem if they become large. If any of your guinea pigs toys have sharp edges, take those out as well. How do you fix an impaction in a guinea pig? Most piggies have some faecal bacteria in theirs because the tiny scent gland is located straight in front of the genitalia so bum wiping is a regular territorial behaviour in both genders. Faecal impaction is a condition unusual in females but commonly seen in male guinea pigs after 2-3 years of age. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Andrew's advice will guide you through the maintenance process. Bloat is extremely painful. She said if we chose to do nothing, that she can possibly live another 6 months to a year still without any discomfort, or it may come on fast. Guinea pigs can give these parasites to each other and can also get them from toys and bedding. Your vet will use specialized dental instruments to trim and realign the teeth. The earlier your pet is seen and treated by a professional, the easier the treatment and prognosis for guinea pig bloat. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. It traps the soft poop pellets that a guinea pig Reactions:Fifi's piggies Fifi's piggies New Born Pup Joined May 18, 2020 Messages 20 This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. If not, the inside of the pouch will be lined with the natural whitish paste called cecum. 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. A lump on your guinea pigs back could be a cyst, which contains skin oils and is often the size of a pea. The perineal sac is a collecting place for all sorts of debris (hair, cage shavings, hay) and should be checked on a regular basis and cleaned if needed. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to tell if your guinea pig has a mouth abscess, keep reading! Before introducing food or bedding into the cage, make a habit of freezing it for a day. There's some slight swelling on the left side of the picture, which according to my vet is normal in older boars with this type of problem. Third and fourth photos: the perineal sac. with a veterinarian to be sure. needs to eat to regain some of it's B-vitamins while the harder A guinea pig that has an impaction will be unable to pass food through the digestive tract. If the abscess is in the mouth, teeth can be lost. Puncture wounds that are treated early usually have a good prognosis. Register for free to enjoy the full benefits. The cause of the abscess will then determine how the wound is treated. A product we recommend at Woodgreen is Ivermectin. She's lost weight over time, but doesn't seem in pain or uncomfortable. Thanks for the advice. [1] Keep in mind that you will not be allowed into the room where x-rays are performed due to the radiation and liability issues. Check more frequently if a particular guinea pig has problems often. Pathogenic or Viral Infection. It's best to bathe your guinea pigs twice a year in piggy-safe products to protect their skin. Her underside seems to have healed mostly. For an abscess, a complete removal is very important. The anal sack area contains a lining with vital secretions that are important to the nutrition of your guinea pig. Guinea pigs can also develop cataracts, either as a result of diabetes, old age or a genetic tendency toward the disease. Occasionally young boars may develop an impaction. Take notice of your guinea pig's cage location and be sure to keep them away from drafts, open doors, and open windows. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 51,038 times. My sow was put under general but that was down to the vets decision. I believe pigs that are impacted can still pass pellets, I would check to make sure but saying that 6 months is a bit young for impaction. This swelling should only last 6-12 hours if it is due to a heat. A more effective solution is to break down the grime with a natural degreasing element first. They may be caused by a viral infection. its pink and his butthole is like on the side of it (I saw him taking a poo..) I just noticed it today.hes going to the vet today at 4:30..I dont know what the heck is wrong with him. Why does my guinea pig have a swollen bum? Guinea pigs should always be eating and defecating. Dietary change to increase fibre intake may be suggested, and regular, manual cleaning of this pocket is often the best treatment in older boars (male guinea pigs). Sometimes, abscesses will rupture on their own. She is able to pee (she pee'd when I picked her up) and she is eating and drinking ok, but it looks awful. . If you or your family are feeling ill, it's best to keep your germs to yourself. Be aware before introducing any new guinea pigs if they seem to have any skin conditions. This is called coprophagic behaviour. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 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. I open his sac to remove accumulated feces on an almost daily basis. All guinea pigs are different and even the five most common health ailments can present differently in different animals. Don't take too much notice of the vet. 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. Monitor food intake and be aware of how any changes may have impacted your pet. Your vet will let you know how often the abscess should be flushed. found at the web page below: Possibly impacted anal glands, but you would have to consult [1] Some lumps can make guinea pigs very sick and uncomfortable if left untreated. I managed to get a picture (sorry you have to look at his butt). Is guinea pig butt swollen is it constipated. In some guinea pigs, the harder pellets can still be expelled. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. taken. 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. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. In older boars, this may be caused by loss of muscle tone or difficulty in removing the pellets. I've got what might be problem with my 6 month old male guinea pig. There are no specific places where you would look for a lipoma on your guinea pig. A few older boars may require daily cleaning of the perineal sac. How do I get rid of my guinea pigs impaction? Surgical removal of a skin tumor is often curative, meaning that no other treatment is needed to treat the tumor. The anal sack area contains a lining with vital secretions that are important to the nutrition of your guinea pig. These actions will help you prevent the bulk of the most commonly seen diseases, though there are, of course, numerous other diseases that affect guinea pigs. It means your guinea pig is a boy, and that is not his behind, How do you remove impacted stool from guinea pigs? And she's certainly not too old for surgery. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. my guinea pig has lost weight and stopped eating and drinks water sometimes. She said there is a mass under her left mammary gland and suspects that it is hormones that are causing the perianal swelling. ", How to Diagnose and Treat Urinary Problems in Guinea Pigs, http://www.guinealynx.info/antibiotic_advice.html, http://animals.mom.me/guinea-pig-feces-harmful-humans-10891.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0gJBsoUXc4, diagnosticar y tratar los problemas urinarios en conejillos de Indias. 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. Thanks. [1] Good luck, I hope that if it turns out to be a stone that it can be removed sucessfully. If your current bedding (shavings, paper products) collect in your boar's sac, changing to fleece bedding may also help. How do I know if my guinea pig is impacted? If you see your guinea pig hasn't touched its food and you are seeing fewer and smaller stools being passed, your guinea pig may have ileus. we may know of a rodentologist that could help you or another experienced member. Joined Mar 2, 2015 Posts 55. Encouraging grass hay consumption and cutting back on starchy foods like carrots may help. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Typically guinea pigs that experience impaction are male and that is due to the 'butt wiping' or 'scent . Also, due to their short stature, their genitals are low to the ground and will often make contact with droppings and other harmful bacteria. Ovarian cysts cause abdominal swelling in a guinea pig and hair loss on both sides of the abdomen. Also, if the abscess breaks open, the pus could fatally choke a guinea pig. What does it mean if a guinea pig has a swollen behind? 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. 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. This poo is very smelly, and I really mean smelly!! If left unchecked, your boar will begin to lose physical condition because he is no longer able to eat the caecal pellets and the blockage interferes with the normal digestive process. Deanne Pawlisch is a Certified Veterinary Technician, who does corporate training for veterinary practices and has taught at the NAVTA-approved Veterinary Assistant Program at the Harper College in Illinois and in 2011 was elected to the board of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Foundation. Genitals Losing hair on butt- also seems a little swollen. "It will be much easier to find his sac under all the hair!". Your vet will lance and clean out the abscess and prescribe antibiotics for your pet. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Try to avoid picking up your Guinea pig too much right after surgery. A fluid sample from the lump can be useful for identifying bacteria. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 146,911 times. Lymphadenitis in Guinea Pigs. An abscess can be a sign of other underlying health issues, such as a soft tissue mass, bone degeneration or joint problems. It turned out to be an abcess. I've been to see a vet (not my usual one I might add) and upon examination he discovered that it wasn't her anus that was swollen but her urethra. Those puffy cheeks might indicate an abscess in your guinea pigs mouth or jaw. Sometimes the uterus and ovaries can be removed even after the problem has been discovered but other times cancer has already spread to other parts of the body, rendering it untreatable. Ideal toys for a guinea pig cage are empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls since they are soft and smooth. After cleaning, dry your guinea pig using a soft towel. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Guinea pigs make great pets, but they are prone to urinary tract infections and other bladder problems. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Lipomas are tumors made up of fat cells. This is called coprophagic behaviour. droppings. If the abscess is in the jaw, you will see a large bump along your guinea pigs jawline. If that's the case, it could be urinary or from the reproductive tract. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Their secretions are used for scent marking. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Typically, this is a poor prognosis. The antibiotic beads would be effective for 26 months. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Learn how to create a happy, healthy home for your pet. Your vet will use the information you provide to come up with a diagnosis. Lower your guinea pig into the water. Guinea pigs typically need at least one round of antibiotics following surgical removal of an abscess. Gently retract the folds of the anus to ensure that all debris has been completely removed. Correcting dental problems in guinea pigs requires surgery. 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. I tried to look up on the internet (since it's Saturday evening and not vets are open) and I'm wondering if this could be a urinary stone? Do you check his sac? 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. Unfortunately, these are very dangerous tumors. Your guinea pig may have an intestinal blockage (torsion) and/or a dangerous build-up of gas. When you clean the cage, place your guinea pig in a second safe cage or an enclosed location, such as a bathtub. 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. How do you treat a bloated guinea pig at home? You can also use a dryer on low heat if necessary. If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. And as a last resort, neutering. Antibiotics, drainage, and surgery are all common treatments. It could be one of a few things, like an abscess, skin tumor, or cyst. This article was co-authored by Deanne Pawlisch, CVT, MA. Submitted: 2 years ago. Click on the photo for a larger image. I think they could perhaps use a local anesthetic, but it all depends on the what the vets advice was. I have an almost 4 year old female guinea pig (or so I believe, rescue weren't 100% sure of her age when I got her). She has been eating really well and doing ok by herself. explain what that means, I need to explain certain anatomy of a For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. If you notice infrequent urination or bloody urine, call your veterinarian right away and they will do some tests to determine the cause. If your guinea pig isnt fond of it, try diluting the juice with a little water. The lump is tender, so touching it can cause your pet pain. The drier fecal pellets are also used but do not contain as many beneficial bacteria. I gave him and my other pig some cucumber earlier and he took it from me so I'm assuming he ate it. If the swelling is hot to the touch its most probably an infection. Guinea Pigs are coprophagic which means they eat their own droppings as part of their normal digestive process. Therefore, the more information you provide, the better. 0. Treating a tooth abscess may involve removing the affected tooth and aggressively cleaning the affected area. While a bum bath may be in order anyway for those pigs with long, luscious locks, you might find it doesnt totally take care of the grease gland goop. 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. Swollen anus,also projectile weeing. True to its name, the dime-sized area emits an oily, greasy, or waxy substance. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Bordetella Pneumonia. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Examine the incision site for signs of infection: redness, swelling, discharge. You may have noticed a gunky spot around the area where youd find your guinea pigs wannabe tail. If this condition develops, its necessary to clear the impaction every day. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Makes sense, given this feature exists especially for marking territory. More information can be found at Peter Gurney's site and
[1] Add greens to your pet's diet slowly. By Natalie Riggs on October 11, 2018 Research source In most cases, these can be treated quickly and effectively. A completeovariohysterectomy can be performed by your exotics vet on your guinea pig to prevent uterine and ovarian diseases, just as it would in a dog or cat. In certain cases the abscess can calcify, which can have serious results depending . Letting the gunk continuously build up can cause irritation and even infection. Overall, guinea pigs usually urinate in the same spot in their habitat, but feces can land anywhere. It doesn't seem to be sore at all - he doesn't kick up a fuss when I'm touching it. 1 2 Next M munkey Apr 3, 2010 #1 Hi all, and sorry that my first post is a question! An untreated cyst or abscess can become very large, painful, and difficult to treat. They can even get Bordetella bronchiseptica from your dog, cat, or pet rabbit. http://www.susieandpigs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/healthprobs.htm, http://www.guinealynx.info/impaction.html. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. However, the lumps can also be cysts (fluid-filled pockets), lipomas (fat-filled tumors), or skin tumors. Hair loss or change in hair coat. Guinea pigs may eat the soft cecal feces 150 to 200 times in a day, usually directly from the anus.