Wet chin & stale smell

I honestly don't think it's her teeth. She is happy and well and as
greedy as normal. Her chin is usually dry and clean but when she
drinks (in a very unusual way compared to the others - always has!)
she rests the side of her mouth on the end of the water bottle as she
swallows and the fur gets wet. It only seems to be that side of her
face that smells. It literally smells like an umbrella or raincoat
that hasn't dried properly, just a bit stale.
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"Rosie" wrote in message

> I honestly don't think it's her teeth. She is happy and well and as
> greedy as normal. Her chin is usually dry and clean but when she
> drinks (in a very unusual way compared to the others - always has!)
> she rests the side of her mouth on the end of the water bottle as she
> swallows and the fur gets wet. It only seems to be that side of her
> face that smells. It literally smells like an umbrella or raincoat
> that hasn't dried properly, just a bit stale.
>


I had a similar problem with one of my pigs. She was just a messy drinker
and eater! - I didn't notice a smell in particular though. Maybe it's just
water that has soaked into the fur and gone stale? Does she favour one side
of her mouth when eating? If you are sure it isn't a dental problem then
just observe her carefully. If she hasn't lost any weight, is eating fine
and is normal in every other respect then it's probably nothing to worry
about - but I must add if you notice any drop in weight or having trouble
eating then I would get it checked out sooner rather then later.

Tracie
 >> Stay informed about: Wet chin & stale smell 

Thanks, I think she probably is just a bit messy, plus shows up on her
pure white chin!! She favours drinking out of one side of her mouth
(which gets wet) but she eats just like the others. She doesn't seem
to have lost weight but I'll start weighing her regularly just to keep
an eye!
 >> Stay informed about: Wet chin & stale smell 

On Oct 25, 5:47 pm, Rosie wrote:
> Thanks, I think she probably is just a bit messy, plus shows up on her
> pure white chin!! She favours drinking out of one side of her mouth
> (which gets wet) but she eats just like the others. She doesn't seem
> to have lost weight but I'll start weighing her regularly just to keep
> an eye!

Hi Rosie
I have an idea.: as you know Guineas don't always swallow each bit of
food as it is eaten, but sometimes 'pouch it' in their cheecks. When I
have had my pigs checked, the rodentologist towel wraps the pig, lays
her on her back on a soft pillow and puts a spring clip into her mouth
to open it and have a good look round. She checks the teeth, then
cleans the mouth and cheeks out thoroughly with cotton buds. So much
'muck' comes out, and often inside the mouth it is red and sore with a
fungal infection and the animal is trying to keep the muck in place to
avoid any further stinging from new food. You say your piggy eats
tomatoes and peppers which is a great idea if the mouth is healthy,
but these fruits are fairly acidic by piggy standards. Maybe try and
see if you can clean the inside of the mouth, plenty of eye contact
stroking and reassurance from a helper... ( my pig let me). If the
mouth is very sore you can give Daktarin oral gel via a cotton bud
until the problem clears. Only feed very bland non acidic food and
hay. It's only an idea.... not a diagnosis!! If it's an abcess you wil
need prescription antibiotics ( maybe Baytril?) so best to see a vet
in the first instance for him to take swabs maybe, but let's know how
you get on. Any area that stays permanently wet can become infected so
just keep an eye on things and try to keep the mouth area as dry as
possible with kitchen paper. Slobbering is often a teeth problem,
( but piggy usually loses weight - weigh her on a scale that registers
grams and do it daily plotted on a graph) so also get a second opinion
if someone has told you the teeth are OK. Post again to say what's
happened.......Good luck
Heather
 >> Stay informed about: Wet chin & stale smell