Bite Mark...

[Heykids!]

I noticed that Wallace and Clegg have obviously had a disagreement recently and Wallace has a bite mark on his rump. I have given it a clean tonight with diluted hibiscrub (which is why it looks wet in the picture!) and the scab came away on one side of the bite. The other side still looks quite nasty though. It's clean, dry and does not smell so I am hoping it is not infected but wonder whether it still needs a vet to take a look at it?

 

[Wiebke]

I noticed that Wallace and Clegg have obviously had a disagreement recently and Wallace has a bite mark on his rump. I have given it a clean tonight with diluted hibiscrub (which is why it looks wet in the picture!) and the scab came away on one side of the bite. The other side still looks quite nasty though. It's clean, dry and does not smell so I am hoping it is not infected but wonder whether it still needs a vet to take a look at it?

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I would have it checked, just to be on the safe side. How are the boys acting with each other? Is Wallace OK with Clegg?

 

[Heykids!]

I would have it checked, just to be on the safe side. How are the boys acting with each other? Is Wallace OK with Clegg?

They seem fine - this is how they carry on. 90% of the time they get along - I'm not saying they are the best of friends but they tolerate one another. Then every so often they have a scuffle - generally over a house or box that the other one is already occupying. I do have a divider should it come to having to divide them but for most of the time they are ok and worry that separating them will stress them more.

I have two vets - my normal vets and a vet in Reading which is more cavy savy but is 60 odd miles away. The vet I see in Reading is part time and only works Fridays and Tuesdays. I may not be able to get an appointment with her tomorrow at such late notice but Tuesday seems a lifetime away if you think I should get it checked out.

 

[Wiebke]

They seem fine - this is how they carry on. 90% of the time they get along - I'm not saying they are the best of friends but they tolerate one another. Then every so often they have a scuffle - generally over a house or box that the other one is already occupying. I do have a divider should it come to having to divide them but for most of the time they are ok and worry that separating them will stress them more.

I have two vets - my normal vets and a vet in Reading which is more cavy savy but is 60 odd miles away. The vet I see in Reading is part time and only works Fridays and Tuesdays. I may not be able to get an appointment with her tomorrow at such late notice but Tuesday seems a lifetime away if you think I should get it checked out.

it is not a matter for an exotics vet; a general vet is experienced enough to judge open wounds. Generally the big worry with them is an abscess in the weeks after as guinea pigs always have some crud in their mouths. if you can, keep the wound disinfected and keep an eye on it over the next few weeks in case there is a swelling. Have it seen on Tuesday if you wish to.

 

[Heykids!]

it is not a matter for an exotics vet; a general vet is experienced enough to judge open wounds. Generally the big worry with them is an abscess in the weeks after as guinea pigs always have some crud in their mouths. if you can, keep the wound disinfected and keep an eye on it over the next few weeks in case there is a swelling. Have it seen on Tuesday if you wish to.

Thank you Wiebke. Wallace is booked in with my normal vet this afternoon. I'll be keeping a close eye on the wound over the next few weeks. If it does worsen or develop into an abscess, then I'll take him to Tilehurst Vets in Reading as although they are not exotic vets they see a lot of guinea pigs and have more experience than my own vets. Like you say, hopefully for now my local vets should be able to deal with it!

 

[Heykids!]

it is not a matter for an exotics vet; a general vet is experienced enough to judge open wounds. Generally the big worry with them is an abscess in the weeks after as guinea pigs always have some crud in their mouths. if you can, keep the wound disinfected and keep an eye on it over the next few weeks in case there is a swelling. Have it seen on Tuesday if you wish to.

Hello again Wiebke! Just got back from the vets with Wallace. She thinks it will heal nicely on it's own and at the moment he doesn't require antibiotics as she thinks he is fighting off any infection by himself as it hasn't been oozing or pussy. As you said, I am to keep it clean and keep an eye on it to ensure an abscess doesn't develop.

I am still undecided whether or not this warrants separating them. They have been together since January. Wallace has just turned one and Clegg is nearly five. Like I say, the majority of the time they are fine but every so often a scuffle breaks out. They have plenty of room and lots of different houses so there is no need for them to squabble over one particular hide - I think they just startle one another if one walks in on the other and that's when it happens. I've posted a picture for you to see a typical layout of their run but any suggestions would be more than welcome. If I can do anything to help them stay together I will but understand that if separating them is for their best interests then although it would make me sad, I'll do whatever is best for my boys.

By the way, thank you for your help and for putting a smile on my face - I haven't heard the word "crud" for donkeys years! My brother used to say it loads when we were kids so it was great to hear it again out of the blue!

 

[Wiebke]

Hello again Wiebke! Just got back from the vets with Wallace. She thinks it will heal nicely on it's own and at the moment he doesn't require antibiotics as she thinks he is fighting off any infection by himself as it hasn't been oozing or pussy. As you said, I am to keep it clean and keep an eye on it to ensure an abscess doesn't develop.

I am still undecided whether or not this warrants separating them. They have been together since January. Wallace has just turned one and Clegg is nearly five. Like I say, the majority of the time they are fine but every so often a scuffle breaks out. They have plenty of room and lots of different houses so there is no need for them to squabble over one particular hide - I think they just startle one another if one walks in on the other and that's when it happens. I've posted a picture for you to see a typical layout of their run but any suggestions would be more than welcome. If I can do anything to help them stay together I will but understand that if separating them is for their best interests then although it would make me sad, I'll do whatever is best for my boys.

By the way, thank you for your help and for putting a smile on my face - I haven't heard the word "crud" for donkeys years! My brother used to say it loads when we were kids so it was great to hear it again out of the blue!

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Make sure that they have only got hideys with two exits, so no boar can get caught. Many bites are actually defence and not necessarily aggression bites. My own teenage/adult pair only have got log tunnels and an open sided shelter.
Children's stools are also ideal - a boar can get away in any other direction.

Also feed veg and pellets only in small portions that can be eaten in one go 2-3 times daily in a bowl each (spaced at least a body length apart). Remove the bowls in between meals. 80% of the daily food intake should be hay. Have at least two separate places they can get their hay from, so access cannot get blocked. The same goes for water bottles.

Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[Heykids!]

Make sure that they have only got hideys with two exits, so no boar can get caught. Many bites are actually defense and not necessarily aggression bites. My own teenage/adult pair only have got log tunnels and an open sided shelter.
Children's stools are also ideal - a boar can get away in any other direction.

Also feed veg and pellets only in small portions that can be eaten in one go 2-3 times daily in a bowl each (spaced at least a body length apart). Remove the bowls in between meals. 80% of the daily food intake should be hay. Have at least two separate places they can get their hay from, so access cannot get blocked. The same goes for water bottles.

Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Wow! This is really informative - thank you so much!