Infection around private parts

[Whimsy]

A guinea pig was just surrendered today, when I was at the sanctuary, where I help out.
He has two small holes just above his anus and there's pus and a little blood coming out when you squeeze it. The middle part seems swollen (is that bump the penis??). I have never seen anything like it and I'm wondering what it could be. We flushed out the holes and the sanctuary owner gave him some anti biotics. She will keep an eye on him and take him to the vet if the penicillin doesn't work.
I tried taking a picture. It's his bum and just above you can see a hole on the right side. There's a smaller hole on the left as well.

[Bean]

Oh crikey, I'm not even sure quite what I'm looking at but know it doesn't look right. It must be really uncomfortable, the poor little pig. I must say, I'd be up the vets quicker than I could say the word vet, as I'd want to know what I was dealing with before I started trying to treat it myself. I do understand that rescues' funds are limited.

I'm assuming it was a slip saying penicillin is the antibiotic being used since it's far from the most effective antibiotics for guinea pigs, and is more likely to cause other serious problems for them?

Good luck with the little guy and let us know how he gets on - I will keep everything crossed. Good to see you here too, how are things? It looks like you're still busy helping the sanctuary which must be rewarding, although also worrying at times of course. Have you got any boarders at the moment?

[Whimsy]

The picture is taking of him lying on his back. Those are his testicles and bum, with the hole on the right side.
I’m not sure what she gave him, but she’s trying her best.
I’m currently fostering 5 guinea pigs, so it’s hard for me to take him too, but I will if she thinks it’s best. I wonder if the holes could be a bite since the owner said he was fighting with her other guinea pigs? The owner just dropped him off at a pet store, didn’t say anything about the infection, his name, age or anything....just that she couldn’t take the fighting anymore. The pet store called the sanctuary and was hoping she could help him.
I’ll do an update in the other thread about all the pigs I have. I just don’t have much time with taking care of them all, work and what else goes on.

[Whimsy]

Just heard that he’s better today - no pus or blood 🙂

[jolovespiggies]

I am so pleased to hear this hunni.

Hugs
Jo xx

[Bean]

I'm so pleased he improved so quickly and hope he's now in full health.

It sounds like you have a houseful! We really enjoyed doing the rabbit and guinea pig fostering, although the four of our own is enough right now! It's just really nice to help some creatures on their way to great new homes and be reminded that despite so many animals ending up in unfortunate situations, there are loads of fantastic people out there too.

[jolovespiggies]

That is very true Piggles hunni.

Hugs
Jo xx

[3piggles]

Excellent news, as I was totally stumped, too! I've seen bites, and that doesn't look like one. It looks like a puncture. Anyone who would just drop him off at a shelter and not give any information didn't pay much attention to him in the first place, and probably didn't take very good care to keep him safe. I'm glad the meds are working, though flushing may have helped a whole lot, too. Sometimes it helps to just get out any foreign objects, clean it, and they'll do the rest of the healing. Poor baby. My heart goes out to him being treated that way

[gremlin40]

I'm so glad his neglectful owner dumped him off on someone else instead of just ignoring him until he died.

His lil guy parts were definitely infected omg. I love that he survived because he landed in loving hands.

Please post pics of the lil fella...so happy he is ok 😀

[aridicus]

I know this is old, but since it's resurrected I'll comment. It appears he was in a fall-out fight. In the case of genital bites, wouldn't be surprised if one boar was trying to hump the head/face of another boar and got bitten right then and there due to the location usually be protected UNDER the boar otherwise. The smell of a sow would encourage the care-free humping exposing the genitals to be bitten, as could 2 boars constantly humping over a period and one of them having enough of it and going rogue.

Typically during a falling-out fight, both boars will viciously bite into and pull the other, while both spin in a circle, until the skin rips. It'll end up with a gaping hole wherever the bite occurred, which quite often is on the sides near the belly and ribs, but can be anywhere the other pig got a good bite in, including the face, genitals, etc.. They typically do NOT let up, and will stay clamped until the skin rips. Holes are typically the size of a pencil eraser. It WILL attract bacteria. Holding a pig, it'll emit a sort of "used dental floss" odor any time they have a hole/wound that's open. Odor is strong enough to be detected at a couple feet and unmistakable. Blood will typically be ABSENT. Hole usually self-seals with a sticky gunk that will look like a small clump of clear-to-amber-colored elmer's paste glue and will remain until wound fully closes and scabs over. NEVER pull the sticky clump out of the fur or off the skin as it's the only thing covering the hole, which it does quite gingerly unlike a normal scab.

Holes are large enough you can actually see into them. Since pigs lack all the fatty material like human skin, you can literally see inside the cavity as if they were skinned if it happens on the sides of their body, for example.

IF hole doesn't seal on it's own (genital area probably will get scab/gunk pulled off by the pig) can try some neosporin (or generic variant)and lightly dab the outer area of the hole even if there is fur there. From that point, if possible, can put a LARGE bandage over the wound then wrap the pig (like for side wounds)in a bunch of ace bandage that has the self-adhering velcro-like stipples. Tight but not too tight. Give it 3-5 days then inspect. Rewrap if needed. Did this on an adult Coronet boar that had a huge hole that wouldn't seal near the ribs. It sealed without even trimming the hair and his immune system fought off the infection.

Have dealt with other holes over the years, and those self-sealed. Usually get hidden by the fur and pig typically doesn't fuss over it, plus lack of blood, means many most probably never know. The "used dental floss" odor however is a key clue your pig has an open wound and should be carefully inspected. Do NOT pull any sticky gunk out of the fur. That's probably where the hole is

gremlin40 There's ZERO evidence it was a neglected pig. It most likely had a fall out and was given up as they couldn't or wouldn't house 2 boars, separately. Well cared for pigs can have falling outs and end up with holes from the subsequent battle that ensues if not caught and separated quick enough. Often has nothing to do with the owner. IF the pig has signs of broken bones having healed, mites leading to large scabs, pig has numerous defense scabs on the rump, NUMEROUS open wounds, etc., then yeah, possible neglect.

[gremlin40]

Aridicus,

Noted. I just don't understand how his parts can swell like that and get so infected overnight...hence why I used the word neglect. I may be wrong though. Sometimes things go unnoticed simply because there is no sign of a problem....until the problem is suddenly very heavy.

It is not easy caring for guinea pigs when they get sick...it is heartbreaking to see them suffer. I guess when the owner gave him up I got a bit judgemental.

I don't apologize for my judgemental nature by the way. I know perfectly well what it feels like to be abandoned because of illness. 99% of people I have ever met in my lifetime are disgustingly weak and parasitic ... I guess this explains why I prefer kind animals over predators.

[Bean]

Jan 16, 2020 21:03:29 GMT gremlin40 said:

99% of people I have ever met in my lifetime are disgustingly weak and parasitic ... I guess this explains why I prefer kind animals over predators.

I'm sorry it's been your experience of people, that's really sad. I hope that the other good sort (who I think there are also plenty of) will be in your future to change that percentage somewhat!