guinea pig impaction and itching

Question
I have two quick questions.  First, how can I tell if my guinea pig is suffering from impaction?  Second, which I don't think has anything to do with the first is, how much is too much itching or scratching?  We've checked for mites and fleas and he is not itching to the point of breaking the skin.  We were just curious as to how much is "normal" or too much.  Thank you so much for your input!

Thanks again,

Jake (and Elton)

Answer
Hi Jake,

Impaction is usually pretty obvious - either by smell or feel. An impacted guinea has a build up of faeces in their anal sac, causing smell and, if left long enough, a hard mass which can be felt from outside the sac.
It is a good idea to check his rear end at least once a week, and use a damp cotton bud to clean out the areas you can see (open the anal sac but dont push the bud in). This prevents impaction and keeps him clear and clean.
Also be sure ot extrude his penis and check there are no obstructions (i.e. hay, bedding), as foreign objects in the penis can lead to Urinary Tract Infections.

Too much scratching is when they:

* Scratch for more than 10 seconds a time;
* They nibble themselves a lot after scratching;
* They scratch more than 3-4 times an hour;

Mites are micorscopic so can't actually be seen with the naked eye. Fleas are pretty uncommon in piggies; lice tend to be the more usual, after mites.
See http://guinealynx.info/mites.html for information on mites and other parasites.

Best Wishes,

- Laura
www.cavy-care.com