Male Guinea Pig Impaction

Question
I have a male cavy, less than two years old, who is suffering from
impaction.  How is the best way to treat this?  I have read about
bathing and using mineral oil to help remove the impacted
feces.  Can you give me more specific information?

What should I bathe him with?  Soap? Shampoo?

Do I need to supplement his diet?  

Answer
Hi Kim,

I apologise for the delay in replying to you. My mother is in hospital and I am ill too, so I have been unable to stay on the computer long enough to check emails and reply to them.

Impaction tends to be slightly more common with intact (not neutered) males. I believe this is due to the weight of the testicles, very slightly weakening the muscles around the rear end, thus making it a tiny bit harder to push the faeces out. So it can build up a bit quicker than it does in neutered boars. It really does vary from pig-to-pig but this is one theory as to why some boars are more prone to impaction.

Bathing him isn't really necessary unless he is dirty. If he is a bit messy around his anus then you can give him a butt bath, where you only fill the sink/bath with an inch or two of water and only get his butt wet and washed. As far as shampoo goes, one designed for small animals is the safest one. Don't go for human, cat, dog or anything other than guinea pig or small animal shampoo as they (human/cat/dog etc. shampoo) can be pretty harsh on delicate piggy skin.

What sort of diet is he on at the moment? Limit all fruits you feed him (fruits are high in sugar, acid and water so really aren't great to feed too often), and make sure he has unlimited amounts of grass hay (timothy, oat, meadow, brome, orchard-grass). This will keep the fibre up and his poops firmer (less likely to leave particles in the anal sac, thus reducing impaction).

The only way to get rid of impaction is to regularly check and clean him. If he does get pretty bad then just check him each day as you cuddle him. Use a cotton bud (the ones on sticks), moisten with either water or a small amount of mineral oil, and just gently part his anus. Sweep round very carefully (never push the bud in - just go as far as you can see [usually no more than a centimetre/size of the cotton bud head]). It stinks but if you keep on top of it you shouldn't have any major problems.

Best Wishes,

- Laura