Bonding Hell

[Tiamolly123]

i have 2 7x2 cages, one on top of the other. The top cage is split in half, Tia & Molly in 1 half & my neutered boar Gizmo.
I decided to make the lower cage massive so they could run around in the bigger cage. I put Gizmo in the neutral run & introduce him to tatty no problem she's pretty laid back.
Then Tia's turn, they had a couple of tussles but nothing major. Then all of a sudden with no indication at all. They had a massive fight. We managed to separate them Tia had a torn lip & nose, nothing to bad when I put her on my lap she screamed & screamed also her head kept jerking. I wanted to get her straight to the vet, but wanted her to calm down first else In case I'd make it worse. After an hour, no kidding 1 hour of screaming. She cuddled up. She had to have some magic parsley & grass. Then went in the cage & she went to sleep. No screaming, no head jerking, now she's fine but I will keep an eye on her. I haven't ever heard a piggie scream like that.
With the hamsters PTS yesterday, the last couple of days have been rough

 

[Lady Kelly]

oh gosh what a nightmare. I am trying to bond Daisy back into the group after isolating her for ringworm for a couple of weeks. She's not been a problem at all but Willow seems to be getting very territorial and (over one shoe box in particular) keeps teeth chattering at anyone who dares to try and enter! In particular she seems to be most peeved at Donald but luckily none of the other pigs seem to be retaliating at the moment (well Donald matches her head raises and stares her out but that's about it). I'm hoping it all calms down very shortly.

 

[DM030819]

Keep a close eye on her lip. My Podrick had a nasty bite on his lip, the vet was very close to having to sew it up for him, but she gave it a few days to heal first to see if it would heal together again.

He's got a wonky lip now but he's all okay. My boyfriend says that they're twins not as boyfriend has a scar on his lip from cleft palate surgery.

 

[Wiebke]

i have 2 7x2 cages, one on top of the other. The top cage is split in half, Tia & Molly in 1 half & my neutered boar Gizmo.
I decided to make the lower cage massive so they could run around in the bigger cage. I put Gizmo in the neutral run & introduce him to tatty no problem she's pretty laid back.
Then Tia's turn, they had a couple of tussles but nothing major. Then all of a sudden with no indication at all. They had a massive fight. We managed to separate them Tia had a torn lip & nose, nothing to bad when I put her on my lap she screamed & screamed also her head kept jerking. I wanted to get her straight to the vet, but wanted her to calm down first else In case I'd make it worse. After an hour, no kidding 1 hour of screaming. She cuddled up. She had to have some magic parsley & grass. Then went in the cage & she went to sleep. No screaming, no head jerking, now she's fine but I will keep an eye on her. I haven't ever heard a piggie scream like that.
With the hamsters PTS yesterday, the last couple of days have been rough

I usually separate as soon as tussles happen as that usually means that there is a conflict of dominance. If the wrong signals are exchanged, things can blow up in a matter of seconds.

When you introduce a piggy to a bonded pair or group, it is NOT a good idea to do single intros starting with the bottom sow. Any group stands and falls with the acceptance of the top piggies of each side and whether they can come to an agreement re. leadership. Only then does it travel down the hierarchy as the new group is established. If neither boar nor top sow are willing to step down, then you have to call it off.

Let her calm down and see a vet if necessary, in case there is damage to the inside of the mouth/nose as well. if you can later on, disinfect with a mild disinfectant like saline. She is likely going to be very wary of other piggies for some time. If you have got some metacam at home, give her a little.

 

[Tiamolly123]

Yes I've got metacam, they seemed fine before the tussle eating hay etc. Is it normal to scream like that. I must have misread the signals, I don't think I'll try that again.

 

[Wiebke]

Yes I've got metacam, they seemed fine before the tussle eating hay etc. Is it normal to scream like that. I must have misread the signals, I don't think I'll try that again.

The screaming is likely a mixture of surprise, pain and deep upset. I am very sorry that the bonding has failed; it can do that after a medical separation.