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Oh dear.. Impaction

Two_Wheeks

Two_Wheeks

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Morning all!

We were having a lazy Sunday morning, and little Gibson started making a weird chicken noise. After a little while (three 'crows') I picked him up. Anyway, long story short - he's impacted. I removed a huge (1inch round) ball of hard crap from his anal sac.

I am really disappointed in myself for not noticing this before. He has been his usual self, eating and drinking, moving around. Just this morning he seemed to have had enough. I know this didn't just build up overnight and so am holding myself wholly responsible for not checking. I really felt it as soon as I picked him up this morning, so thought I would have noticed it when he gets picked up - I always cradle his bum. Anyway, it's my fault and I feel terrible.

He's out in his run now with his cage mate, in the living room, eating hay. I'm going to give him a bum bath/wash the sac out. I've read apples are good to give him (obviously in moderation). Is there anything else I should be doing? He's had some critical care (he loves it, I don't know if he needed any but he didn't turn his nose up..!). Do I need to take him to a vet to get checked or just manage it at home/see how he goes? Like I say he's eating fine, shouting for his veggies, and drinking plenty.

He's coming up 5, so is on the more mature side, and isn't neutered.

Otherwise he's healthy, eating, and up until this morning, bright eyed (he seems a little happier now, thankfully).

Thanks for any advice - happy to do the drive to Northampton if it's required!
 
Aww he’s gorgeous!
I’m no expert and there will be better people to come along but didn’t want to read and run! Ive ready that as boars get older and their muscles become more weak in that area that can cause impaction. Don’t beat yourself up you did exactly the right thing. I believe there is an impaction guide on the forum that’s super helpful so I recommend giving that a read.

Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

Impaction - How To Help Your Guinea Pig.
 
Thanks @Lavinia he's definitely got his own style..!
Yep read through the guides and watched the videos - very good!
He's had a bum bath, a gentle clean, and has been out and eating ever since. He seems happy and hasn't made any more odd noises. I'll keep an eye on him and see how things go.
Thank you :)
 
I think you did everything perfectly.
He looks like he could be a rock star of the guinea pig world! Haha
 
The guide linked above is fabulous. I wouldn’t give apples as it won’t help. The issue is with the muscles in the sac. Don’t beat yourself up about having missed it. You’ve seen it now and are aware so I’m very sure he’ll be fine from now on 😊
 
Thank you, @Siikibam that means a lot - I love my boys to bits (all of our pets are boys!) and I hate to think he's suffered at all. He is much happier now so I am relieved, and will add a sac check to the daily routine!
 
I would keep an eye but if it builds up again I would take him to a cavy savvy vet for a check over to make sure it's not linked to any underlying health conditions. Given his age it could just be weakening of the muscles but always best to be safe
 
Don’t beat yourself up - we all miss things as piggies are very good at hiding discomfort or illness.
What is important is that the impaction has been cleared and now you know to keep an eye on Gibson’s boar bits

He’s stunning by the way
 
Please don’t beat yourself up. It’s a good idea to check him daily from now on to help prevent any build up. These things do tend to happen as intact boars get older but it can also happen to younger neutered boars, too. I’d agree with the plan to keep an eye on him and if it builds up again then I would get him checked over by the vet.
 
I've had to empty him twice more - last night it was more like a Pez, they just kept popping one after the other! He has lost 30g in a day, though he hadn't eaten his dinner (it was gone this morning, so I know it's been had). He was busy eating hay when I left for work this morning, and my partner is keeping an eye on him today.

The first lump was a solid mass, the second was a softer mass, and the third has just been individual poops (so not yet mushed into one!).

What are people's thoughts? He seems well in himself, active and talking to his cage mate, but I don't want things to get awful. Is it likely to need emptying less often, the more I do it (does that make sense?!)?
 
My neutered 5 year old boar Reggie had to be ‘cleaned’ twice a day with his impaction, morning and evening. Not sure if the more you do it the more he needs it, but that just worked well for him so he didn’t get uncomfortable, his tended to be more on the softer side, just tended to get a bit bunged up and needed a hand to clear that out then he’d pass pretty much normal poops throughout the day.
No expert in impaction though! He’s been my only lad affected by it and I lost him in 2013! Sure other people can help you better with more info!

He’s a stunning boy!:wub::wub:
 
Thanks @alpacasqueak I'm happy to do it as often as is needed, he doesn't seem to mind it too much (and he loved the warm bum bath he had the day before yesterday!). I think in his more senior years he's far more accepting of being faffed about with..!
I think maybe 10% of his poops are finding their way out naturally - makes spot cleaning quicker but I hate the thought of him carrying all of that around!

And thank you, he is rather handsome! His brother Higgins is a little jealous of all the attention he's getting!
 
Haha yes my older lads have been much better with everything like that than when they were younger, and dread to think how my two 2 years old would be if I had to do it! I’d get a right telling off (and probably a few bites from naughty Luigi!)!
Bless him, doesn’t sound like it stressing him out at all then, probably knows it feels much better afterwards! As it’s just started with him I’d do it as often as you can and try and keep him cleared out a bit, hopefully you won’t need to do it as often soon.

Poor Higgins, quick get some pics up and he’ll get loads of lovely attention too! :D
 
Ah bless Luigi, what a great name!
I think Higgins would scream at me if I tried with him (he clearly doesn’t quite understand why Gibson is getting so much attention..!)!
Here he is, in all his boisterous glory!
8E381DF5-DE93-4F37-BBF5-F4E2F0799B4F.webp158CC757-13F0-433B-883E-76DC055A66C6.webp01AEE040-594A-4A3B-B31D-11859BEFE009.webp2A25739C-1B87-4177-B9E0-B9C531D8BD5F.webp
 
Aaah he’s also very gorgeous too! :love::love: Love his funky colours, what a cutey! Haha love a naughty pig! :D

Unfortunately I didn’t name Luigi, that was the rescue! But I couldn’t change it, suits him and my nephew’s a Mario nut!
25150C73-5D8B-4298-A7DF-8283CE3C98AB.webpHere he is having a very rare cuddle the other day (before I was mean getting him with meds!)!
 
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