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Cuts on Leo?

Sappyshelly

Sappyshelly

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Sep 25, 2018
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Location
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Hey everyone! Came back from vacation yesterday and doing my check on the boys today. Leo seemed fine until I found this patch of fur missing in two places. 922F2ED5-F8FD-4125-B5BC-F4F3A5EE5FE1.webpCould this have been done by Clifford? I’m kinda freaking out, as I don’t have a separation plan. They have been doing so well since November with a few arguements but this is the first big sign. They are currently in a 2 by 4 c and c with a 2 by 2 loft which is all I have room for and can expand it. I’m just not sure what to do.
 
Put the boys in the play pen and it’s like they hate each other. Constant chattering. What on earth happened?
 
Hi!

I am sorry but your picture is far too fuzzy to get an idea what is going on.

How are your boys with each other? If there are hostilities, then it is likely a wound from an altercation. Please keep in mind that any new territory requires a new hierarchy sort-out, and that that can upset the apple cart even in adult pairs.
Bonds In Trouble
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

Please also keep an eye out for fungal/ringworm or mange mites. These are all opportunists that can hit if the immune system is lowered by stress or by illness.
New piggy problems: URI - ringworm - skin parasites
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

I am sorry but your picture is far too fuzzy to get an idea what is going on.

How are your boys with each other? If there are hostilities, then it is likely a wound from an altercation. Please keep in mind that any new territory requires a new hierarchy sort-out, and that that can upset the apple cart even in adult pairs.
Bonds In Trouble
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

Please also keep an eye out for fungal/ringworm or mange mites. These are all opportunists that can hit if the immune system is lowered by stress or by illness.
New piggy problems: URI - ringworm - skin parasites
Click to expand...
They are usually fine with each other. Usual boar stuff like rumble strutting and the occasional teeth chatter. I’ll try to get another picture although Leo is very wiggly. I don’t see any blood and there’s not an open gash just some fur loss. The boys are doing fine now. Both are calm in the tub after they were given some hay.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

I am sorry but your picture is far too fuzzy to get an idea what is going on.

How are your boys with each other? If there are hostilities, then it is likely a wound from an altercation. Please keep in mind that any new territory requires a new hierarchy sort-out, and that that can upset the apple cart even in adult pairs.
Bonds In Trouble
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars

Please also keep an eye out for fungal/ringworm or mange mites. These are all opportunists that can hit if the immune system is lowered by stress or by illness.
New piggy problems: URI - ringworm - skin parasites
Click to expand...
Oh my I just saw a fall out. No warning signs, Clifford just went after him. I really think they need to be separated before clifford hurts poor Leo. A 2 by 2 is not big enough for one pig correct? The boys are currently separated while I figure out what to do.
 
I’m gonna try out the trial separation for a day and see how it’s works. I’ll see if both piggies perk up. If it ends up having a be a permanent thing I’ll try to expand the cage as much as I can.
 
I think minimum is 2x4 for one piggy (minimum recommended for two as well). Sorry they seem to have fallen out. Were they in boarding while you were away? And how old are they?
 
Siikibam said:
I think minimum is 2x4 for one piggy (minimum recommended for two as well). Sorry they seem to have fallen out. Were they in boarding while you were away? And how old are they?
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No a pet sitter went to the house. Clifford is 5 or 6 and Leo is a year and a half.
 
Has Leo tried changing the hierarchy at all? Was blood drawn when Clifford went for him? Or did the pet sitter notice any change in their behaviour?

Sorry I can’t help at all. But hopefully the trial separation will sort them out and they’ll be ok.
 
Siikibam said:
Has Leo tried changing the hierarchy at all? Was blood drawn when Clifford went for him? Or did the pet sitter notice any change in their behaviour?

Sorry I can’t help at all. But hopefully the trial separation will sort them out and they’ll be ok.
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I didn’t see any blood. I’ll ask my pet sitter but I’m hoping the trial separation works to see if it’s a problem of if they like each other.
 
Sappyshelly said:
Oh my I just saw a fall out. No warning signs, Clifford just went after him. I really think they need to be separated before clifford hurts poor Leo. A 2 by 2 is not big enough for one pig correct? The boys are currently separated while I figure out what to do.
Click to expand...

I am very sorry! :(

A 2x2 C&C is not big enough for the long term but it will do for the moment. Take your time to think things through and consider your various options. They will hold for that long!
You can find the options all laid out with their pros and cons in the last chapter of this guide here: Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
 
Pig drama. Anywho, here is a before and after of the cage since I had to take it apart and see how it works. 06C8E21C-CDC2-4FB1-9995-1C04690CC30C.webp
(This picture is from when I first got the cage. If you look closely you can see Farley’s stripe under the ramp)
D886E99A-A800-4252-B646-ED0AF48CF681.webp
 
The pigs have been separated for a short while but I’ve seen good signs! For one, they sleep next to each other through the bars which is adorable. There’s been a bit of rumble strutting only form Leo. They are not avoid each other and have interest. Maybe they love each other after all!
 
Sometimes pigs can't live with each other but can't live without each other either. You could give it a few days and introduce on neutral grounds to see if they are willing to go together but it might be that pals through bars is the only way
 
I agree with @Lady Kelly
Give them some space and you can try again on neutral territory in a couple of days.

I don't want to be the voice of doom, but I have had a similar expereince twice, where piggies have got on brilliantly through the bars, but simply can not live together. Hopefully this is not the case for your boys, but in my limited expereince some piggies need companionship but also need a divider to keep everyone safe.
 
Lady Kelly said:
Sometimes pigs can't live with each other but can't live without each other either. You could give it a few days and introduce on neutral grounds to see if they are willing to go together but it might be that pals through bars is the only way
Click to expand...
I’ll try the introduction again at the next cage clean. It’s such a shame since they were doing so well together.
 
Swissgreys said:
I agree with @Lady Kelly
Give them some space and you can try again on neutral territory in a couple of days.

I don't want to be the voice of doom, but I have had a similar expereince twice, where piggies have got on brilliantly through the bars, but simply can not live together. Hopefully this is not the case for your boys, but in my limited expereince some piggies need companionship but also need a divider to keep everyone safe.
Click to expand...
I really hope they can go together. Thank you so much for your help!
 
Be warned. Lying next to the grid divider can be a sign of dominance and preservation of territory rather than a friendly “I’m ready to welcome you”. If he’s trying to break down the barrier I suspect it’s not friendship he’s after, but a fight.
 
VickiA said:
Be warned. Lying next to the grid divider can be a sign of dominance and preservation of territory rather than a friendly “I’m ready to welcome you”. If he’s trying to break down the barrier I suspect it’s not friendship he’s after, but a fight.
Click to expand...
I hope not. I picked up Clifford for a little cuddle and Leo started squeaking. Could it be jealously? Or maybe he just wanted to make sure he was there?
 
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