Teddy Troubles

[piggl]

Hi, not 100% sure if this is the correct area for this, but thought it was the most relevant.

Does anyone else have issues with their teddy boars always collecting hair in their anal sack.
I have a teddy/rex boar named Reggie, and honestly I have to pull out a mixture of hair and mucus every second day. The end pokes out and creates a hard bit that I am able to pull on, and it takes a good couple cm of gunk/stink with it….

It’s gross, and smells so bad
Is there anything I can do to help this? And what’s the best way to clean this out.

 

[piggl]

x

 

[Hannah_xx]

Oh er that sounds rather gross for you!
I’m afraid I don’t have any experience in this but hopefully someone else has some stinky boy tips to share!

 

[piggieminder]

I don't think it's a Teddy thing, it's a some boars thing! I suspect the more you clean it the worse it becomes. Boars pick up hay, hair and bedding when they drag their rear ends along the ground scent marking. I have noticed the ones to suffer the most tend to be hairier or live with hairier piggies. Some boars produce more smegma than others and this stinks. I check my boars on weigh day and give the anal sack a quick wipe out with a cotton wool bud if it's bad but I don't clean it every week, regularly or often. I've got one elderly boar who suffers a tiny bit from impaction and needs cleaning once or twice a week but this is something very different from what you are describing.

Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

What you are describing sounds normal to me and doesn't need cleaning everyday. If you are worried it's abnormal you need to see a vet.

 

[Wiebke]

I don't think it's a Teddy thing, it's a some boars thing! I suspect the more you clean it the worse it becomes. Boars pick up hay, hair and bedding when they drag their rear ends along the ground scent marking. I have noticed the ones to suffer the most tend to be hairier or live with hairier piggies. Some boars produce more smegma than others and this stinks. I check my boars on weigh day and give the anal sack a quick wipe out with a cotton wool bud if it's bad but I don't clean it every week, regularly or often. I've got one elderly boar who suffers a tiny bit from impaction and needs cleaning once or twice a week but this is something very different from what you are describing.

Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

What you are describing sounds normal to me and doesn't need cleaning everyday. If you are worried it's abnormal you need to see a vet.

I do agree - the more you clean, the more you overstimulate - the same also goes for the grease gland. Some boars have much more active production and need weekly cleaning; others can get away with a monthly check and clean.
This is not a breed related issue.

 

[piggl]

So do I just leave the build up of hair in his bum? I assume he just drags his bum and it collects in his anal sack, but it gets stuck which is why I clean it and when I pull it it comes out in like a 1-2cm long "rope".

 

[piggieminder]

I'd try to leave it longer between cleans. It sounds like he or a cage mate is moulting? Maybe you could brush them every couple of days/day until the moulting stops so there's not so much to pick up. One of mine's moulting a lot of hair at the moment, he's short haired though so doesn't cause too much problem other than with washing fleece!

 

[piggl]

I'd try to leave it longer between cleans. It sounds like he or a cage mate is moulting? Maybe you could brush them every couple of days/day until the moulting stops so there's not so much to pick up. One of mine's moulting a lot of hair at the moment, he's short haired though so doesn't cause too much problem other than with washing fleece!

He lives on his own, he does shed everywhere, I haven’t been the best with brushing but is definitely something i’ll need to get on top of. Thanks! x