Grumpy Girls

[scpiggy]

I have two girls, Sherbet and Rio, who have been happily bonded for several years but for the past week or so they've been very grumpy towards each other. They both went into heat at the same time which caused a lot of chaos and since then they wont go near each other without rumble strutting and nipping at each other. Sherbet actually lunged at Rio when she came over to eat from the hay rack. I'm starting to get really worried. Does anyone have any tips on how to get my girls to get along again?

 

[Wiebke]

I would have your girls (especially Sherbet) checked for hormonal problems/small, but active ovarian cysts, especially if the aggressive behaviour persists. Ovarian cysts are more common in older sows. Most cysts don't cause any problems and don't need operating these days thankfully. There are hormonal treatments available these days.

 

[scpiggy]

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of taking them in to the vets to get checked out. Rio has had crusty nipples for a few months which I know is a sign of cysts. I've had her checked out and the vet said she didn't have any but to keep an eye on her and bring her in if she starts showing any more symptoms. But with Sherbs being so moody as well I'll get them both checked.

 

[scpiggy]

Well I just got back from a very unsuccessful vet visit. I have always been very happy with the vets I go to but the vet I saw today didn't really have a clue. She gave them a good poke around and couldn't feel any cysts but said they'd need to have a scan to make sure but that she wasn't good enough with guinea pigs to read the scan effectively. So she's going to talk to a more piggy savvy vet about getting them scanned and get back to me on monday. But she was talking about getting them spayed if they did have cysts or even getting them spayed just in case. I told her as politely as I could that my guinea pigs were not going to have very risky, unnecessary surgery especially when Sherbet is 5. She seemed to think that, like rabbits, guinea pigs should be spayed. So I might be on the look out for a new vet which is going to be hard since I don't have a car.
On the bright side though my girls were very good together in the carry cage going to and from the vets. On a few occasions Sherbbie got scared and burrowed under Rio so that Rios entire body was on top of her. And they're having a little cuddle together on my bed and look very relaxed next to each other. So it seems they only get grumpy with each other when they're in their cage.

 

[Treacle]

I find that my boys are ok with each other when I put them in the carrier to be cleaned out. I think it freaks them out slightly, so they have to bond as they are a bit frightened. I have only had them a month, so once they get used to the routine. I am sure they will be chattering and dancing at each other in the carrier.

 

[Wiebke]

Piggies usually don't fight when they are out of their comfort zone and need each other's support more!

I am sorry that the vet you saw was not competent with guinea pigs. Spaying is the old method, but unless really necessary, you do not want to put an older piggy through a big op like that.

 

[scpiggy]

I have made progress. Spoke to the exotics specialist at my vets today and my girls are going to get scanned on Wednesday. Fingers crossed there's nothing sinister going on. Though if there isn't I'm not sure what I'm gonna do with these two.