A
AmberC
Hello! I have two piggies. I got them both from people who didn't want them anymore/weren't taking care of them. I've had them a while now, but haven't really messed with them very much. They are jumpy are seem afraid of me, and I felt that I was stressing them out too much by trying to handle them. So I figured I'd just take as good of care of them as possible, give them good food (premium guinea pig pellets, timothy hay, and fresh greens every day), keep the cages clean (they live separately as they are male and female), etc, but try to not stress them. Well that kinda backfired on me, and I didn't realize I couldn't monitor stuff like nails, ears, etc, very well. I'm working on getting the nails slowly trimmed. they don't like it very much but I can get it done pretty quickly if Hubby helps hold them. But I noticed today that Buzz's ears have some crusty black stuff in them. He doesn't act like it bothers him, doesn't scratch, etc, but I know it's not normal! I looked at Bessie's ears, and they are nice and clean.
So, what would cause the crusty black stuff? Is it something I can take care of myself, like putting mineral oil or something on it and cleaning gently with a swab? Or does the vet need to attend to it? I would call him, but it's Sunday and I don't want to bother him on his only day off unless it's an emergency. Buzz otherwise appears to be perfectly healthy. Eats and drinks well, his poops look normal, no excessive smell, active, etc.
So, what would cause the crusty black stuff? Is it something I can take care of myself, like putting mineral oil or something on it and cleaning gently with a swab? Or does the vet need to attend to it? I would call him, but it's Sunday and I don't want to bother him on his only day off unless it's an emergency. Buzz otherwise appears to be perfectly healthy. Eats and drinks well, his poops look normal, no excessive smell, active, etc.