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Grease gland

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Sue G

Sue G

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Hi,
I joined the forum a little while back and spend ages reading stuff every day (it's so informative), but don't really know how to participate, so thought I'd have a try. I've had Basil for a year (he's now neutered) and his wife Marigold & their daughter Lavender since September. Basil doesn't like company, so lives on his own, but is right next door to the girls, so they see and talk to each other. The girls are very close, and if I have to take one of them to the vet, the other comes along for the ride, because they hate being separated.
This is probably very ignorant, but can anyone tell me what the grease gland is for? I can't seem to find an answer. Basil's fur does seem to get greasy sometimes, but I keep it trimmed and it doesn't worry him. Is it something that only males have?
Thanks.
Sue
 
Hi Sue,

Welcome to the forum. :) Have a look here http://www.guinealynx.com/grooming.html

I have five boars never had a problem with the grease gland to be honest. Twinkle can be quite a greasy pig but I wash him in the boar shampoo from gorgeous guineas or posh and go (as he is mostly peruvian) :)

Louise
x
 
I'm not sure exactly what it's for :-\
I think it's secretions are hormone related because i've noticed my neutered boys grease glands don't need sorting as often as my intact boys.

I'm gonna say girls do have them because i have had to sort out one sows grease gland but only did it the once and only to that sow :)
 
Thanks for the link Louise, that was interesting. I can't really say it's a problem, but it's something I've noticed as he's got older. I hesitate to bath him, but if I can keep him nice by brushing and maybe trimming off the longer fur "at that end" hopefully it will be alright. My vet thought he was fine.

I don't know how to do a separate reply, so will also thank Niki for her answer about girls having them.

Sue
 
Hi there and welcome from us in OZ :) :)
Lovely to hear from you :smitten: Glad you've started to come on and post O0
What a lovely family of piggies you have :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
Only one of our boys had a messy grease gland i had to wash his frequently, but i'm sorry i've no idea of it's purpose either :-\ :-\
 
Hi Glynis, Thanks to you (and everyone) for the welcome. Seems like it's one of those things destined to remain a mystery - like the human appendix, nobody knows what that was for!
I'm in the U.K. now, but was born and brought up in Oz. I miss it.
Sue
 
one of my long haired pigs gets a really dirty grease gland so i keep the hair trimmed and rub in swarfega to break down the grease leave it on for a few mins then wash it off.
 
Jom, thanks. Basil isn't classified as long haired, but his hair does tend to be longer in that area, so perhaps washing rather than a general bath might help.
Sue
 
Oh, I know where Croydon is, Glynis. I lived in Surrey Hills, Canterbury then Box Hill - so kind of out in the right direction. But that was all very many years ago.
G'night now, Sue (it's 1 a.m. here)
 
I was born in Box Hill and lived in Box Hill South then shifted to Blackburn with my folks, got married and live in Croydon.
My sister in law lives in Surrey Hills in Wandsworth street O0
My in laws live in Canterbury off highfield road and i went to Strathcona :D :D :D :D

I'm a 1955 model ::) ::) ::)
 
I lived in Warrigal Road, Surrey Hills, then Wentworth Ave Canterbury, and ended up in Medway Street Box Hill before coming over here. Went to Camberwell High. Am somewhat more vintaged than you being a 1944 model!
S
 
Its to mark there like territory ;D my boars do it where my others boars have marked - they rub their bottoms where the other boars have so i guess its like a territory thing O0
 
Yes, I can understand about it being a territory thing, but would he be doing this when he lives on his own? He doesn't like company, so he's in a cage alone, but right alongside the cage the two girls (his wife and daughter) are in. He was neutered before he came to me. I mean, I'm not worried about it, but have been curious.
 
He will still do it if he can see and smell them - well mine do ;D
 
That must be it, then, because he can definitely see and smell them. He doesn't like being in with the other piggies, but loves to have them alongside. Thanks for all the information.
 
sueg said:
I lived in Warrigal Road, Surrey Hills, then Wentworth Ave Canterbury, and ended up in Medway Street Box Hill before coming over here. Went to Camberwell High. Am somewhat more vintaged than you being a 1944 model!
S
Click to expand...

Hi Sue
LOL you're only just a bit older :) age is nothing :)
I know all those addresses :D :D :D
I lived in Foch Street, Box Hill South (lol yeah they always altered the dam thing on new years eve) ::)
Which primary school did you go to ?
Oh us Strathy girls didn't talk to the Camberwell High girls ::) ;D ;D ;D Did you know CH is a very well known school now even more so and very respected too O0 O0
Glynis and Duke xx
 
Hi Glynis,
I went to Ormiston Girls School in Mont Albert for 6 years, then on to Mont Albert Central for 2 years before C.H. I didn't know it was now so well known, except for the fact I believe Kylie Minogue attended!
It's a very long time since my last trip "home" and I doubt I'll be able to visit again, hubby can't do long haul plane journeys now. Sigh ....
I spose these reminiscences are boring for everyone else in a piggie health forum!
Sue
 
Gosh yes i know those school's too :)
Yeah sorry everyone.....maybe i should pm you.... but i don't think you can pm me yet... something about you have to have 50 posts :)
Pity you can't come home again, but i understand about your hubby, hope he keeps as well as possible :) :) :)
Well anytime you want to hear about good ol Victoria let me know O0
take care, loves to all the piggies :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
Scuse my ignorance, but I don't know what pm is! I could give you my hotmail addy here?
Basil Marigold and Lavender say "squeeeek"
 
Tell you what i'll pm (personal message) you and then we'll see if that works cause i don't want you to put your email addy on here unless you're happy for everyone to see it O0

ok i'm pm'ing you now :)

awwwww thanks piggies :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
IT'S FOR MARKING THEIR TERRITORY! (I'm not shouting, just excited that I know the answer to something!)
 
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