[Gpdd] [HEALTH] Anal impaction

[Dr Kay Dudman]

I was very sorry to hear about the little piggy who died from anal
impaction, what a very sad ending, and it seems so unnecessary.

I have had some experience with piggies with a build-up of droppings in a
little sac that develops near the anus.  It seems to happen to more mature
male guinea pigs.  Peter Gurney recommends manipulating the collection of
droppings out over the toilet, but I say not so fast!  We know that
piggies do have special "eating" droppings (cecotrophes), so what I tend
to do is manipulate out the collection of droppings and leaving it for
piggy to eat if he chooses.  He might.  He might not.  If not, you can just
throw it away with the cleaning out that day (or straight away, if he
rejects it), but I think it is better for piggy to make the choice
himself.  The other risk is that you don't want your piggy sliding off
your lap into the toilet!

Yes, the collection a droppings does smell a bit (often a kind of
over-ripe cheesey sort of smell).  When the little collection has been
extracted, I tend to pop in a little vaseline (warmed in a tissue in my
hand first!) or some KY lubricating jelly, either of which seems to help
the transition of future droppings.  You can try a small syringe to get
the lubricating jelly straight to the affected area, but it will need
careful cleaning each time.  I found that checking each day prevents a
build-up of droppings, and prevents any droppings from becoming hard and
therefore more difficult (and uncomfortable for piggy) when they are
removed.  You might need to try different positions to find one that suits
you and your piggy...piggy on his back (not very popular, but does give
quick access), piggy sitting normally (with one hind leg lifted to give
access - seems to work OK), piggy on his side (seems OK with some piggies).
Getting into a routine so piggy knows what's happening and that's
it's nothing to worry about also seems to help.

Kay