Skin Problems adopting piggy

[stelle]

So i went to the local animal shelter today in hopes of finding another pig to adopt.
They had one and he was super cute and super sweet.
there were two things i noticed however:

1. he had dandruff. He is a short haired piggy, all black, so the dandruff was easy to see. What causes this? And is it a big problem? Im not 100% sure what they feed them so he might not be getting the right amount of veggies and/or hay, but i dont know if the dandruff is associated with their diet..

2. He had a strange butt thing... for lack of better words. the shelter said he came with it, and the vet checked it out and said that what happened was his "insides" i guess came out.. and they healed like that. The vet says that it doesn't bother him and it isn't anything to worry about. It basically looks like a brain on his butt (where he would poop). The shelter also said that he seems to clean himself very well as they have never noticed any poop stuck to it, or for it to really cause him any difficulty. It can be removed also, its just expensive.

He is super cute, and really friendly. I feel bad because a lot of people wont adopt him due to his bum, cause it looks a bit gross.. which is very sad.

 

[pinky]

Someone on here recently had a guinea pig with rectal prolapse which required surgery. The guinea pig did not make it. I would suggest you let the shelter know that condition requires medical care and that they might want to consider contacting a guinea pig rescue to see if the have any recommendations on treating him. If you adopt him, you'll probably incur large vet bills.

 

[bpatters]

Ditto pinky. Rectal prolapse, if that's what it is, is not a trivial matter for maintenance, surgery, or recovery. If I were you and really wanted him, I'd take him to an exotic vet for another opinion. I wouldn't go by what the shelter vet said.

 

[grace&piggies]

With the dandruff, Willy has had issues with dandruff the entire time I've had him. At first I took him to the vets and they thought he had mites, so he was treated for that. But the problem never went away. It doesn't get worse/better, he has no bald spots, he doesn't scratch excessively, it isn't mites or a fungal problem. The boy just has dandruff! All I do is wash him regularly, making sure to use products that won't dry out or irritate further.
I would have a good look at this piggy. Have a read over the symptoms for both fungal and parasitic problems just to make sure it isn't either of those.

 

[Onetwo]

Not sure but it could possibly impaction as well. https://www.guinealynx.info/impaction.html to an uneducated person a really badly cared for anal sac could possibly look similar to a prolapsed rectum. If it is just impaction that will require a strong stomache and lots of cleanings. But ditto to have the shelter contact someone more knowledgable about the piggy. Sounds like he needs a more knowledgable vet asap...

 

[Hhbean]

As far as the dandruff goes, my Roger has dry skin so we use a little mineral oil and massage it into his skin once a week and that keeps him nice and pretty. @bpatters, there is an oil you recommend but for the life of me I can't recall it and I don't want to list the wrong thing.

 

[stelle]

If i decide to take him home I have him for a 2 week trial period, just to make sure he gets along with my current piggy. If i do take him, ill look into going to another exotic vet and see what they say. I wouldn't mind taking him in with it, I just dont want to have to pay tons of $ on vet bill... (obviously, if one or both did get sick or what have you, they would get the proper vet attention).

I tried to find a picture of what it looked like on google but i couldnt really find anything, this is probably what is most similar: https://www.cavyspirit.com/images/Pigs/thumpera1.jpg
but it was bigger. He didn't seem to be in any pain or have any issues while being held/if it touched anything. He is also neutered, so im not sure if that plays a roll in anything.

Thanks for all the replies. Im going to talk to my mom again tomorrow morning and see what she thinks.

 

[grace&piggies]

Willy is neutered and his business sits flat so if the new mr is neutered, I would assume there is a fair amount of swelling. I do suggest a trip to a good exotic vet just to be on the safe side. It is good to know that he is happy being handled, though. Good luck!

 

[foggycreekcavy]

The picture you linked to is a pig's penis, that looks entirely normal. Is it his penis that sticks out? Or does his anus look like a penis?

As for the dandruff, if mites have been ruled out (as well as lice), then try some coconut oil.

 

[stelle]

hmm i cant find another picture that is similar to his butt...
But i've decided I am going to adopt him. Im going to call the vet tomorrow and make an appointment for my guinea pig Flash to get a check up and then also one for the new guy.
All I know is that I can give him a good life here, and thats better than what he has now. Also, my mom has agreed to pay for any vet bills, and even if it may need to be removed or it is too risky and results in him living a short life, at least he can be happy!
... and he is super cute

 

[Squint96]

Good for you, as long as you love him and he is healthy, what does his bottom matter

 

[Inle_Rabbit]

Good for you and what an awesome mom you have!!