My guinea pig smells of fish!

[Cheekypigs]

Hi there,

I have two teenage boars so I expect them to be smelly - I've had pairs of boars before. Both of the current ones produce the usual musty farmyard boar stank, but one of them also regularly smells loudly of fish. He is also the one that scent marks obsessively and messily (he actually leaves little damp patches all over you if you let him, and then turns round and chews at them ).

I just want to ask if anyone else has had a fishy-smelling boar or if it's something I should be concerned about? His nethers look healthy and clean. He's only about 5 months old so his balls are not yet huge but they're well in evidence and look fine. They were both at the vet for a checkup very recently and got a clean bill of health. I just want to check that this isn't the sign of something bad and is within normal parameters for a young hooligan.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi there,

I have two teenage boars so I expect them to be smelly - I've had pairs of boars before. Both of the current ones produce the usual musty farmyard boar stank, but one of them also regularly smells loudly of fish. He is also the one that scent marks obsessively and messily (he actually leaves little damp patches all over you if you let him, and then turns round and chews at them ).

I just want to ask if anyone else has had a fishy-smelling boar or if it's something I should be concerned about? His nethers look healthy and clean. He's only about 5 months old so his balls are not yet huge but they're well in evidence and look fine. They were both at the vet for a checkup very recently and got a clean bill of health. I just want to check that this isn't the sign of something bad and is within normal parameters for a young hooligan.

Hi

Have you checked whether the smell is coming from his mouth?

 

[Josie_lg]

We had a piggie years ago with dental issues and her breath/salvia smelt fishy and almost sweet. It might be worth checking if it’s teeth? Xx

 

[Cheekypigs]

Good thought, but it's definitely the other end! He's a friendly wee rascal who will stick his face right into mine and his mouth smells fine. I'll triple check his mouth next time I've got him out, but I'm fairly sure it's coming from the other end.

 

[Wiebke]

Good thought, but it's definitely the other end! He's a friendly wee rascal who will stick his face right into mine and his mouth smells fine. I'll triple check his mouth next time I've got him out, but I'm fairly sure it's coming from the other end.

Please have him vet checked in either case. Piggies should not smell fishy. It is an indication that something is not right.

Here is our boar care guide: Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

 

[Cheekypigs]

Ok, we'll get it checked out. I did think it was a bit unusual.

 

[Free Ranger]

I'd maybe try and get a urine sample: the vet should be able to provide you with a container - you can sit them in a little tub with tasty nibbles until they produce!
Just like people, piggies can carry infections in the urinary tract. If he seems to be peeing little spots everywhere or rubbing himself against the bedding he might be a bit itchy or aggravated down below. My boar was examined in a very personal way by one of our vets who told him he had a very yeasty penis!

 

[Cheekypigs]

So the vet checked him out and there seems to be no issue with his penis. His anal sac is pretty clean but does smell very strongly. No sign of inflammation or any other issues. We've got antibiotics just in case there is any urine infection but it's possible he is just a very smelly boy.

 

[Deleted member 148738]

I'm glad I've got my 4 girls the thought of boy pigs and all thing willy scares me

 

[Cheekypigs]

But they are so cute and hilarious, it's all worth it really

 

[Free Ranger]

Totally worth it

 

[Cheekypigs]

Just an update with a slightly unsatisfying conclusion. Popchop no longer smells of fish. We don't know whether to put it down to the antibiotics, or to some hormone change due to being separated from Fuzzable. I suspect the former, and that he did have some kind of infection.

Who knows. Thanks for your advice, anyway!

 

[Wiebke]

Just an update with a slightly unsatisfying conclusion. Popchop no longer smells of fish. We don't know whether to put it down to the antibiotics, or to some hormone change due to being separated from Fuzzable. I suspect the former, and that he did have some kind of infection.

Who knows. Thanks for your advice, anyway!

My money is on an an infection; guinea pig hormones never smell fishy. But glad for you that the antibiotics have done the trick!

 

[eileen]

urine infections can cause fishy smells.I'm glad your piggie is feeling better.

 

[Cheekypigs]

He's had a very rough couple of weeks, what with that (the antibiotics tasted terrible!), the ear and being separated from his beloved brother/attacker/punching bag. But he's in fairly good spirits now.