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Ben the bully!

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Valdansam

Valdansam

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Hi everyone, one of my piggies went for surgery yesterday to remove an abscess which would not heal, he has a big wound on his back (approx 2 inch). When I brought him home and put him back in the cage with his buddy (who he has lived with for forever!) was bullying him and generally pushing him around, I have had to put a divide in the cage to let him have some peace while he heals. Has anyone else had similar problems? Can anyone advise when I should try to reintroduce them? Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance

Tracy
 
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Didn't want to read and run. Separating them certainly for the time being is the correct thing to do. But don't have much experience in this... Hopefully as your piggie starts to recover things will settle down. Hope he feels better soon and someone with a little more knowledge may be around soon to offer some advice.
 
Thank you for answering... needed some reassurance I was doing the right thing!
 
How is your little one this morning?
 
Good morning! He is still a little quiet but he is eating, I think he is recovering as well as can be expected, his eyes are a little brighter today. I will have them separated and a friend has dropped off another cage for me to use which will give them each more space. Don't like having them separated but needs must at this present time I think. Was fun and games trying to get him to having his antibiotics last night....little tinker rolleyes
 
If you push the cages together they can still interact between the bars. What anbtibiotics is he on? If it's Baytril - it tastes awful, so can be a battle to get it in. What's his name?
 
Thanks I will try that, yes its Baytril and its getting harder to get any into him! bit worried about that, he is called Giddy, I got him from here he is a rescue piggie. Thanks for your help...its appreciated
 
Hi There,

Seems abscess are very common at the open, I also have a piggy with a dental abscess under his jaw. Chances are his friends know's he's poorly and is asserting his dominance. I would keep them side by side as you are and then once the piggy is better re-introduce them on neutral territory.

Hope your piggy gets well soon,
 
Thanks for that I will do, anyone have any tips on getting the antibiotics into him? The vet only gave a little bit and I'm sure most of it is NOT going into Giddy! He just will not keep his head still {:|
 
Valdansam said:
Thanks for that I will do, anyone have any tips on getting the antibiotics into him? The vet only gave a little bit and I'm sure most of it is NOT going into Giddy! He just will not keep his head still {:|
Click to expand...

Love his name. Is he in your avatar? The black or ginger/brown piggie?

Do you have someone who can help you syringe meds? There is 2 of us both myself and Rachael. We've always syringed as a team with Baytril as Treacle especailly battles and she's as strong as an Ox :)) One of us holds treacle while the other holds her head and gets the syringe in side of mouth.... Quickly.

How long of a course has the vet gave the Antibiotics for?
 
Ha ha he was already named when I got him so we kept it as we loved it too, he is the ginger piggie in my pic, it looks like there is only a 2 day supply of antibiotics, I didnt realise til I got home, doesnt sound like a lot does it? I may ring the vet and check this.
 
He's x)

I would have expected a 5 day course at least. I would check this with your vet.
 
I towel wrap my Fred very tightly so he can't wriggle, I'm not sure you'll be able to towel wrap your boy as the wound is on his back, another way is to position your pig on your lap cup your left hand round his head, hold him against your stomach and use your right hand to syringe med's.

x
 
I had two boys living together. Bazil who was the dominant pig had an abcess removed and when I put him back in the hutch Truffle started bossing him around trying to take over as 'top pig'. I seperated them until Bazil was back to his normal self which took about 10 days then put them back together. I was lucky, they went straight back to normal status with Bazil in charge. I hope yours will go back together ok. With the anti-biotic you can put a little bit of ribena in the syringe with it to make it taste more pleasant. I also find holding a piece of cucumber, letting them nibble a little then popping the syringe in and squeezing just a little in helps, then repeat. Good luck
 
Thank you all so much for your advice, I feel much better for it, and feel a bit more confident.
 
Well Ben and Giddy's reintroduction has not gone well this morning, they were sharing floor space for the first time since Giddy's operation proper fighting and had to be separated again. Will I ever get them back in the same cage? They have been together since they were youngsters, I'm gutted :-(
 
I'm am no expert but I would if all else fails try a bath and try rubbing some hay on Giddy. If Giddy smells different it is possible that is the problem. It is also possible you may want to reintroduce them somewhere they both have never been on bedding that has never been used for them. Here is a good link for getting the antibios down.
http://www.guinealynx.info
Look under hand feeding xx oo
 
there is a post of the forum by mizzpigz that may help with the syringe feeding/antibios
 
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