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Beans Has Became Very Aggressive

Beans&Toast

Beans&Toast

Adult Guinea Pig
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So I'm having issues with Beans just now and I'm not sure what's causing it, there are maybe 2 things going on, which is why I wasn't sure where to put this thread. (Sorry if it's in the wrong one I thought maybe behaviour and bonding too?)


Beans has became very aggressive with Maple since Friday, she won't let her move or go anywhere without trying to mount her or back her into a corner, which is obviously stressing Maple.

Beans has quite severe arthritis in her back legs/hips, for which she's on medication but I think it needs upped or changed because she's been struggling a bit lately. I have a feeling this may be the reason she's being so aggressive with Maple, because perhaps she's in pain (I'll do a separate thread for that).

But my second thought was that maybe Maple is in season, and it's making Beans a bit... mad. Beans has been spayed though so I don't know if that makes sense, can she still go a bit funny even though she's been spayed? Or could it be a combination of the two?


I'm at the point tonight where I think I have to put a divider in the cage for a day or so because poor Maple cannot get a seconds peace without being chased/mounted or backed into a corner.


Any thoughts would be appreciated :(
 
Sending you hugs. I am so sorry you are going through this it's very stressful for you. I can't offer any advice, you've already covered a season or pain which is what I would have suggested. I didn't want to read your post and run.
 
Beans&Toast said:
So I'm having issues with Beans just now and I'm not sure what's causing it, there are maybe 2 things going on, which is why I wasn't sure where to put this thread. (Sorry if it's in the wrong one I thought maybe behaviour and bonding too?)


Beans has became very aggressive with Maple since Friday, she won't let her move or go anywhere without trying to mount her or back her into a corner, which is obviously stressing Maple.

Beans has quite severe arthritis in her back legs/hips, for which she's on medication but I think it needs upped or changed because she's been struggling a bit lately. I have a feeling this may be the reason she's being so aggressive with Maple, because perhaps she's in pain (I'll do a separate thread for that).

But my second thought was that maybe Maple is in season, and it's making Beans a bit... mad. Beans has been spayed though so I don't know if that makes sense, can she still go a bit funny even though she's been spayed? Or could it be a combination of the two?


I'm at the point tonight where I think I have to put a divider in the cage for a day or so because poor Maple cannot get a seconds peace without being chased/mounted or backed into a corner.


Any thoughts would be appreciated :(
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Seeing my Hafren, yes, spayed sows can be a bit mad and rumblestrut and mount with the best. it is however generally dominance related. It can well be that there is a takeover bid for the leadership under way if Beans is not feeling up to scratch.

You can try a divider for a day or two if things are truly excessive and not dying down in a day or so.
 
I’m sorry to hear you are having another problem with Beans. I feel that it could be the level of pain though that’s making her so ill natured. Just think how you feel if you’ve a pain somewhere - intolerant with others, shrewish tongue and just can’t be bothered socialising. Or is that just me?
Sounds like poor Maple is just trying to keep out of her way so maybe a little time out would help both?
Sorry I can’t be more help. Love to you and both stresses piggies. x
 
Wiebke said:
Seeing my Hafren, yes, spayed sows can be a bit mad and rumblestrut and mount with the best. it is however generally dominance related. It can well be that there is a takeover bid for the leadership under way if Beans is not feeling up to scratch.

You can try a divider for a day or two if things are truly excessive and not dying down in a day or so.
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Thank you. From what I'm seeing, Maple isn't showing any behaviour that she's trying to take over or dominate Beans, she's just this tiny little thing who is quite happy going with the flow. But Beans is showing excessive dominance right now... i just thought maybe as it's only been for 4 days that it's because Maple is in season. I've put a divider in, Maple is happier that she can get some peace but Beans hasn't taken to kindly to it.

This might be a stupid idea, but could it be that Beans knows she's not in top health anymore and maybe she feels threatened that her top spot will be taken?
 
Janice C said:
I’m sorry to hear you are having another problem with Beans. I feel that it could be the level of pain though that’s making her so ill natured. Just think how you feel if you’ve a pain somewhere - intolerant with others, shrewish tongue and just can’t be bothered socialising. Or is that just me?
Sounds like poor Maple is just trying to keep out of her way so maybe a little time out would help both?
Sorry I can’t be more help. Love to you and both stresses piggies. x
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Yeah it makes sense that if she's not feeling great then she'd be more moody/aggressive. I too get like that! I'm going to keep track of the days that Beans is acting like this and see if there's a pattern to it. Maple loves being with Beans but she's stressed just now due to how intense the chasing is, she needs a wee break x
 
Beans&Toast said:
Thank you. From what I'm seeing, Maple isn't showing any behaviour that she's trying to take over or dominate Beans, she's just this tiny little thing who is quite happy going with the flow. But Beans is showing excessive dominance right now... i just thought maybe as it's only been for 4 days that it's because Maple is in season. I've put a divider in, Maple is happier that she can get some peace but Beans hasn't taken to kindly to it.

This might be a stupid idea, but could it be that Beans knows she's not in top health anymore and maybe she feels threatened that her top spot will be taken?
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Her ill health is likely to play a part. Sows also can have testosterone spikes. If his has been going on for days, I would put a divider in.
 
Janice C said:
Not a stupid thought! I’ve heard of other animals becoming defensive as they get older and could lose their place in the hierarchy of a group. x
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But if it is becuase of that.... does that mean they're never going to get on again, is Beans going to act like this forever more? :hmm:
 
Beans&Toast said:
But if it is becuase of that.... does that mean they're never going to get on again, is Beans going to act like this forever more? :hmm:
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It is impossible to say. You have to decide if and when Maple has had enough and weigh up the pros and cons. Only you can make that decision. Some situations are just not black and white.
 
Wiebke said:
It is impossible to say. You have to decide if and when Maple has had enough and weigh up the pros and cons. Only you can make that decision. Some situations are just not black and white.
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They were getting on so well up until now, cuddling into each other every night :(

What's the best way to get to the bottom of it whether it's Beans feeling threatened due to old age/I'll health, or she's feeling off due to pain..
 
Beans&Toast said:
They were getting on so well up until now, cuddling into each other every night :(

What's the best way to get to the bottom of it whether it's Beans feeling threatened due to old age/I'll health, or she's feeling off due to pain..
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Have you got painkiller and can up the dose?
 
Wiebke said:
Have you got painkiller and can up the dose?
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She's on 0.4ml Loxicom split into 2 doses a day and she's on 5mg Tramadol daily too. My vet isn't keen on upping either one of them he's said he'd rather look into something else, an injection of Cartrophen. I'm not sure how I feel about that though
 
Beans&Toast said:
She's on 0.4ml Loxicom split into 2 doses a day and she's on 5mg Tramadol daily too. My vet isn't keen on upping either one of them he's said he'd rather look into something else, an injection of Cartrophen. I'm not sure how I feel about that though
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She is on a lot of painkiller already. :(

I would see how a few hours of out-time go. They should not break the bond. See how Maple is reacting. If she is perking up noticeably as soon as she is away from Beans, you know that it is really getting to her.
 
Wiebke said:
She is on a lot of painkiller already. :(

I would see how a few hours of out-time go. They should not break the bond. See how Maple is reacting. If she is perking up noticeably as soon as she is away from Beans, you know that it is really getting to her.
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She's already perked up. She always follows Beans and wants to cuddle into her but the past couple of days have been very intense for her so she needed a break. Beans however isn't taking it well, She's going mad trying to look for Maple.

I'm going to leave it until tomorrow evening and see how it goes when I take the divider away. Or is that too long apart?
 
Beans&Toast said:
She's already perked up. She always follows Beans and wants to cuddle into her but the past couple of days have been very intense for her so she needed a break. Beans however isn't taking it well, She's going mad trying to look for Maple.

I'm going to leave it until tomorrow evening and see how it goes when I take the divider away. Or is that too long apart?
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You can try to give them cuddles together on your lap tomorrow morning and see how they are.
 
It is one of these things that you have to play entirely by ear. But Maple's reaction is showing you clearly that the bond is very much under stress already.
 
Wiebke said:
It is one of these things that you have to play entirely by ear. But Maple's reaction is showing you clearly that the bond is very much under stress already.
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It has only been the last few days. They've been getting on well. Are you thinking maybe Maple won't want to go back with Beans?
 
Try not to over think it in human terms. Older sows can be unpredictable. There’s no black or white and no rule book. You just have to give it a go as Wiebke has suggested.
 
VickiA said:
Try not to over think it in human terms. Older sows can be unpredictable. There’s no black or white and no rule book. You just have to give it a go as Wiebke has suggested.
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I know, but I have such severe anxiety I can't help but overthink it all. Beans is very distressed now too that she's apart from Maple, she hasn't stop screeching. I think I'm in for a long night!
 
Beans&Toast said:
I know, but I have such severe anxiety I can't help but overthink it all. Beans is very distressed now too that she's apart from Maple, she hasn't stop screeching. I think I'm in for a long night!
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It is normal for a piggy going overboard to not be aware what the impact on the companion is. At least it means that Beans is not likely to refuse to rebond when Maple goes back. ;)
 
Oh dear poor Beans. Hoping she calms soon. I know how much of a little rascal maple can be. She’s had a few nips from the other girls in her time. So she is tougher than she looks.
 
Julie M said:
Oh dear poor Beans. Hoping she calms soon. I know how much of a little rascal maple can be. She’s had a few nips from the other girls in her time. So she is tougher than she looks.
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Oh she's definitely got no fear that's for sure! She did hold her own against Beans being aggressive but after a couple of days she just looks so stressed. We'll see how it goes in the morning :doh:
 
So Beans has lost around 30-40g.
She isn't interested in eating hay or nuggets because she's too preoccupied with Maple. When I offer nuggets shes eat one then runs away. I've put them together in the hall while I clean out the cage but Beans is just rumbling everywhere and chasing Maple, she won't just relax to eat some hay or lie down. Maple doesn't seem as stressed with it but Beans hasn't really calmed down. What the hell is going on? :hmm:
 
Remind me but did Beans have her ovaries removed during her spay? If they were left in then that would account for her behaviour. If they were removed & the spay was recent, I think it takes a few months before the hormones dissipate x
 
Poppy'sMum said:
Remind me but did Beans have her ovaries removed during her spay? If they were left in then that would account for her behaviour. If they were removed & the spay was recent, I think it takes a few months before the hormones dissipate x
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No the ovaries were removed. It was last year so could it be that? She is just constantly, and I mean constantly chasing her and trying to sniff her bum/mount her it's so strange all of a sudden x
 
That's a long time ago then :( Sounds more like a testosterone spike like Wiebke said. All you can do is give them a few hours time out to give them a rest, maybe some floor time separately to give Maple a chance to eat, usually it subsides after a couple of days. Anything can trigger it, maybe a different smell. Did it happen after a clean out? x
 
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