Re: Ping Heather

On Apr 17, 3:53=A0pm, Ted <Heather_pell...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> On Apr 14, 6:10=A0am, Scorpio <mwhit...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
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> Hell NO - not yet!!! That's something that happens with OLD male
> piggies just like old folks really. I had old female piggies and I
> never had any problems in that area but I have read that male pigs
> often get into trouble with poo when they are old - It's caused by
> slackening of the anal muscles and the soft pellets merge and get
> stuck. They need to eat the soft pellets for their vitamins so you
> have to sort it or they will get very poorly. The problem presents
> with a large bulge behind the testicles and you need to squeeze the
> lump out from behind with a thumb and finger greased with Vaseline.
> You would firmly towel wrap the piggy with a small square of towel and
> lay it on its back on a soft cu****on to relax. You have to do it daily
> for an animal that gets into difficulty =A0- it literally take s a few
> seconds. Once you see the condition appear, it persists indefinitley
> but they are sensible and attempt to alter their diet to higher fibre
> if you provide it. SO NO BOTTOM FIDDLING YET FOLKS!!!I If =A0a young
> piggy got constipated ( hard dry lumps or small poo like a string or
> sausages ) I would give a 0.5 ml liquid paraffin orally with a
> syringe or restrict the diet to hay or mashed oats only for a day or
> 2. Groundsel and dandelion are the 2 plants that a pig will seek out
> in the wild to help themselves with this condition! Clever piggies!!!
> If the first dose of paraffin doesn't work you can repeat it once but
> NOT a third time as you will wipe out vital gut enzymes. I know that
> my vet lady used to use 'Swarfega' to clean the grease gland next to
> the anus. Personally I prefer a mild shampoo and 2 or 3 lathers.
>
> > - Show quoted text -

I have a 7 year old female guinea pig with the problem of pellets
becoming stuck up her bottom. I just wet a tissue and wipe her bottom
and then gently pat it dry.

But all those tips are certainly very helpful!