leaking pig

Question
I have an older male guinea pig named Feldspar. He's five years old.  He has a playmate, but they live in different cages.  I use shredded paper for bedding, and he eats timothy based pellets.  About a month ago I noticed a small bump on his rump.  I wasn't too worried about, but it
kept getting bigger.  In a few weeks it got to be half golf ball size.  I made an appointment with my vet, but before I could bring him in the bump broke open!  This wax-like, gray putrid smelling gunk came out.  I took him in right away, and my vet told me it was a blocked gland.  The only way to fix it she said, was surgery-- which I didn't want because
he's an older pig.  It wasn't serious, and oddly enough Feldspar never acts like he's bothered by this issue.  So she told me I would have to drain it whenever it breaks open.  So every two or three days this quarter sized bump breaks open, and I try to drain out the gunky stuff with
my fingers while Feldspar pleasantly chirps.  A small scab will form over the top of the bump.  I'm wondering if there is anything I can do that isn't surgery to lessen the frequency,  or help heal the spot?  Since the area never really heals, I'm worried about him getting an infection.    Any advice you could give me, or any more information would be great.  Thanks!

Jess  

Answer
Jess,

Try feeding him fresh food with extra potassium in it, as that may help with the spot and even unclog the glad a little. Try foods such as parsley, celery, banana, and dandelion (washed clean first). But remember to keep it in moderate amounts and not to much as potassium can mess with his heart. Also feed him fresh foods with high vitamin C in it to keep any infection from happening.

Take care now,
      Jules