Small Black Patch by Butt

[guinealiqq]

I have just gotten a new guinea pig today and he seems completely healthy behavior wise, but when I was letting him run around in a pen by himself for a bit I noticed a little black patch right above his butt/lower back area. It seems like a scab and I tried pulling it off and it didn't bother him when I was doing that. I am worried it is a sign of mange but it could also just be a bite from another guinea pig before I got him. He has all of his hair and isn't itching or anything. He had a couple pieces of dandruff but it wasn't noticeable. Has anyone else had this problem? I don't want my other piggies to get sick and I want to make sure that my new one is healthy.

 

[Julie M]

Could it be his grease gland? The grease gland is located where a tail would be.

 

[DMS260820]

Its the grease gland . Do not pull it please

 

[guinealiqq]

 

[Wiebke]

I have just gotten a new guinea pig today and he seems completely healthy behavior wise, but when I was letting him run around in a pen by himself for a bit I noticed a little black patch right above his butt/lower back area. It seems like a scab and I tried pulling it off and it didn't bother him when I was doing that. I am worried it is a sign of mange but it could also just be a bite from another guinea pig before I got him. He has all of his hair and isn't itching or anything. He had a couple pieces of dandruff but it wasn't noticeable. Has anyone else had this problem? I don't want my other piggies to get sick and I want to make sure that my new one is healthy.

Hi!

Have a look at our boar care guide; he's likely got a dirty grease gland.
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

This guide is part of our very useful New Owners' guide collection, in which we address all the areas we get the most questions and concerns about. You can access it via the shortcut on the top bar or this link here: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

Is he a single piggy?

 

[guinealiqq]

Could it be his grease gland? The grease gland is located where a tail would be.

I didn't know guinea pigs had grease glands! Thats probably what it is. I added some pictures so if that is that it is that would make me feel a lot better haha. What are they used for?

 

[Julie M]

Yep that's his grease gland.

 

[DMS260820]

I didn't know guinea pigs had grease glands! Thats probably what it is. I added some pictures so if that is that it is that would make me feel a lot better haha. What are they used for?

You done the right thing by asking i was like what?! When i first see my old boars grease gland

 

[Wiebke]

I didn't know guinea pigs had grease glands! Thats probably what it is. I added some pictures so if that is that it is that would make me feel a lot better haha. What are they used for?

Hi! The grease gland is there to keep the hair and skin oiled. it can occasionally go into overdrive and become clogged up/infected, more often in boars than in sows. You can find tips on how to best deal with it in the boar care guide link.

 

[Guinea Pig Magazine]

The only way to tell the difference between our Billy and CHickChick from the rear is by ChickChicks dark grease gland, Billy has a pink one.

 

[VickiA]

If you’re new to piggies then some of the anatomical quirks can be perplexing - grease glands, belly buttons, nipples, bald patches behind ears, mismatched numbers of front and back toes can all catch you out. Best to ask if something is normlamand be reassured than to assume it’s normal and later find out it’s a problem.