health . whits stuff?

Question
QUESTION: Hi i have two male guinea pigs but the one has a lump of what looks like pva glue on his rear this is on top of his rear on full view as he moves around the cage. It looked wet and thick but then dried and looked like dry pva glue. Please note i know it wouldnt be. After reading one of the posts on here im presuming he may have an active scent gland. Can you please confirm if you think i may be correct and also describe clearly where the scent glands are based.  hope you can help a.s.a.p Many thanks. emma   p.s i have asked anouther expert but unfurtunatly they were unable to answer.  hope your not offended i asked them first.

ANSWER: Hi Emma

I'm not offended at all. In fact I sometimes get more questions than I can cope with so its good to share!

The scent gland is exactly where the tail would be if piggies had a tail. Approximately 1 centimetre from the very bottom of the back.

This might be the answer but an equally likely answer is a cyst. Can you tell me roughly how big the lump is and is it squishy or hard?

Andy

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QUESTION: Hi thanks for getting back to me.It was squishy when wet but it then dried in to not a hard but a fairly hard lump that looked like pva does when it dried.It seemed almost fatty like tho like a hard lard.I have managed to remove it with patience by comforting the guineapig and  by gradually seperating it bit by bit from his fur. it was where you mentioned a tail might be if they had one.If it is an active scent gland is this a problem or does it need dealing with or is it just one of those things. So many questions. :-) it's just i havent had guineapigs before and i tried to  research them and get the children to learn about them before we had them but i  wasnt aware of this problem and obviously want to do the right thing by them.If they need the vet i will be the first to take them but at the same time if im honest could do without having to take them unless neeeded.hope this helps so you can help me more. much appreciated.emma

Answer
Hi again

As you have removed the lump it sounds even more like an over-active scent gland. All you need to do is to clean the area perhaps once a week to prevent build up.

The other less likely option is that your other piggy might have been humping him and it is semen. It has happened to other folks who have asked me questions.

Andy