Perineal Sac

[MyLittlePiggy07]

So, as I was going through forums I ran into one about having to clean the perineal sac of a male guinea pig. I'm wondering if this is something that should be done with all guinea pigs. I have a male guinea pig and knew nothing about this. I read how sometimes impaction can occur if it is not cleaned regularly. A few questions then, what's regularly? Should it be cleaned weekly, monthly, daily? How would one go about cleaning it? Does it hurt the pig? I was reading about it on guinea lynx, but it really only talked about how to clean it if the pig was impacted. Thanks.

[Onetwo]

you need to read these as well...

http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/vi...+sack+cleaning

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

[MyLittlePiggy07]

you need to read these as well...

http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/vi...+sack+cleaning

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

I already read the info on guinea lynx on impaction, but I was wondering how to actually clean it. In the first link you sent me it talks about cleaning the penis when it's out, but how do you make it come out? I would feel wrong doing that. To clean the anus do you just lube up a Q-Tip & put it up there a little bit or what? Where the heck do you get mineral oil or could you use regular lube that humans use? This sounds like no fun. =[

[Onetwo]

It is really unpleasent for all involved but it is a nessecary evil... you just need to keep reading through the GL forum threads. I read a really great one with tons of info and pics on there last year. Maybe go on GL and post a thread asking for links to the other threads. I tried doing a search but came up with 700 plus threads.

[Onetwo]

Also others say use mineral or baby oils I personally would avoid oils as they are unnatural and over time drying. Just like if you use oils *cough* inside other sensitive places. Many doctors warn against that now which is why water based stuff is so popular now. Over time it does not change the PH or over dry the area. So I would definately use KY. I have had several boars and I do check them every month. (for the love of Piggies I cannot get any of them to pop out their man bits to check) but I do open areas and check. So far NOTHING so I dont fix whats not broken. Just do a physical and visual check every month and as they get older check maybe every other week or every week. There is a TON of info on the GL forum you just need to keep plugging through it. I read at least 1-2 threads per night because you never know what you will be able to learn. BTW the original anal sack/penis cleaning thread was a hoot and I was tearing up I was laughing so hard. Some of the wise cracks about *ah hum* sizes were great!

[foggycreekcavy]

I have never cleaned a male guinea pig's sac unless he was impacted.

If your pig is young and active, with a companion and plenty of space to run around in, and a good diet including constant good quality hay, your pig is not at risk for impaction and would not require cleaning.

I'm assuming you give your pigs a quick health check when you weigh them weekly. You can check to see if there's any impaction at this time.

And unless your pig has some kind of medical reason for cleaning the penis, there's no need to do that.

[MyLittlePiggy07]

I have never cleaned a male guinea pig's sac unless he was impacted.

If your pig is young and active, with a companion and plenty of space to run around in, and a good diet including constant good quality hay, your pig is not at risk for impaction and would not require cleaning.

I'm assuming you give your pigs a quick health check when you weigh them weekly. You can check to see if there's any impaction at this time.

And unless your pig has some kind of medical reason for cleaning the penis, there's no need to do that.

He's about 4 months old, but I'm his only companion at the moment . I want to get another pig so he won't get lonely. It's just hard right now because I'm not sure where I will be after this year since I'm graduating college. I plan on getting another piggy next year when I settle down somewhere and figure out if I'm accepted to graduate school or not. I know it's better for them to have a companion though & I feel guilty when I'm not home.

He also has a 2x5 C&C cage so he has lots of room to run around. He gets a good diet as well... KM hay & pellets along with his daily helping of veggies & a little bit of fruit here and there. He loves eating his own poop too, which I hear is supposedly good for a piggy to do. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and maybe try to clean him once a month.

[foggycreekcavy]

I wouldn't clean him at all. He's not even a year old. Pigs usually don't become impacted until they are older--around 4 or 5 or more.

[Hanale]

This is what I got on Guinea Lynx...

A Regular Routine (no matter what age)
The perineal sac is a collecting place for all sorts of debris (hair, cage shavings, hay) and should be cleaned out on a regular basis. Mineral oil, warm water soaks and/or flushes, and Q-tips work well for this procedure. Make sure you retract the folds of the anus enough so you can see right into the sac (it is quite deep). Your guinea pig won't like this procedure but it doesn't hurt though the smell can sometimes be quite strong! It's possible, in some boars that haven't been cleaned regularly to develop an anal plug - basically a solid mass of debris and grease which is stuck to the anal wall. This can be worked out using liberal amounts of mineral oil to release the edges of the plug without tearing the skin - this takes time and a lot of patience. See your vet if you are unsure!

Our male is about 2 months old and we been to clean him every two weeks. We only did it twice so far, and yes it does smell and he doesn't like it

[Shahbazin]

I'm just going to note that the penis & prepuce need to be checked regularly (say, weekly) if you've got a long haired piggie - hairs can get stuck inside the prepuce, and/or wrapped around the penis. Even if you clip them, hair grows back pretty quickly.

[Sirene]

I'm just going to note that the penis & prepuce need to be checked regularly (say, weekly) if you've got a long haired piggie - hairs can get stuck inside the prepuce, and/or wrapped around the penis. Even if you clip them, hair grows back pretty quickly.

I'm seconding this, and adding that it's not just hairs! I check "underneath" weekly, and am always (gently, of course!) pulling out bits of hay, hair and (gross) dried semen!