Fighting After Separation

[shag&scoob]

Hi!
I have two pigs, Shaggy and Scooby, and recently Scooby hurt himself. He was totally fine earlier in the day, and then I checked on him yesterday evening, and I noticed he had a limp. He had his right front paw tucked up and wouldn't walk on it at all. He wasn't moving a whole lot but would eat and drink if I put it close to him.
I have a multilevel homemade cage. It's three levels, and there's a ramp with railings to each one so they can't fall off the side. I've had the cage for a couple months now and everything has been fine. But since he was having a hard time getting around, I thought it would be best to separate him, so I put him in a playpen on the floor with food water and a house so I wouldn't have to worry about him trying to go up and down and I wouldn't have to confine my other pig.
I have an appointment at the vet today. He's walking on it again, but it looks slightly swollen. He doesn't like to be held, so I can't get a great look. All day, he has been acting like he wants to be back in the cage, so finally I put him back in and was just going to keep close watch until our appointment. But immediately when they saw each other again, they started acting like they were going to fight. Their fur was raised, they were chattering nonstop and Scooby was chasing Shaggy relentlessly. I finally removed him again because I don't want either hurt, especially since Scooby is already.
They were getting along fine before I separated them, sleeping close, eating together, nothing out of the ordinary.
I don't know what to do. Will I need to leave them separated or does anyone have advice on how to get them to get along again?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!
I have two pigs, Shaggy and Scooby, and recently Scooby hurt himself. He was totally fine earlier in the day, and then I checked on him yesterday evening, and I noticed he had a limp. He had his right front paw tucked up and wouldn't walk on it at all. He wasn't moving a whole lot but would eat and drink if I put it close to him.
I have a multilevel homemade cage. It's three levels, and there's a ramp with railings to each one so they can't fall off the side. I've had the cage for a couple months now and everything has been fine. But since he was having a hard time getting around, I thought it would be best to separate him, so I put him in a playpen on the floor with food water and a house so I wouldn't have to worry about him trying to go up and down and I wouldn't have to confine my other pig.
I have an appointment at the vet today. He's walking on it again, but it looks slightly swollen. He doesn't like to be held, so I can't get a great look. All day, he has been acting like he wants to be back in the cage, so finally I put him back in and was just going to keep close watch until our appointment. But immediately when they saw each other again, they started acting like they were going to fight. Their fur was raised, they were chattering nonstop and Scooby was chasing Shaggy relentlessly. I finally removed him again because I don't want either hurt, especially since Scooby is already.
They were getting along fine before I separated them, sleeping close, eating together, nothing out of the ordinary.
I don't know what to do. Will I need to leave them separated or does anyone have advice on how to get them to get along again?

Thanks in advance!

Hi!

Medical separation can unfortunately lead to a permanent fall-out. It is one of the more common causes for fall-out in adult pairs of any gender or gender combination, but it is even more likely if the injury has happened during an altercation or fight, as the instant reaction would suggest - there is obviously some serious aggravation going on between the two and they are not likely to make up again, unfortunately.

Please keep them in a divided cage for the time being while you consider your future options.

You may find the information in these two guides here helpful:
Bonds In Trouble
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

For handling, please make use of the piggy whispering tips; always start with telling your piggy that it is part of your herd and that you love it. That should go quite a way to ensure better cooperation. Make a fuss and tell your boy repeatedly in piggy whispering how much you love him during an examination.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips