help...new owner...think my piggy has had a stroke! :(

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thanks sophie....i think ive trawled the whole internet on info about guinea pigs...and lots of sites all say conflicting things!

I'm trying to learn as much as i can about their behaviour, noises etc.
my other half is a big softie and hes close to tears already, before weve even seen what the vet has to say!

I'm hoping you ladies can help too.....i was told to always keep guinea pigs together (more than one) and that males were more friendly than females.

also that it was VERY RARE that guinea pigs dont get on......so if my two have been fighting....why am i so unlucky, and what do i do now? do i re-introduce them to each other in the hope they get on, or do i keep them seperate? i dont really have the room for two cages, and wont they be lonely?

arrrggghhhh why did this have to happen! my poor little Ham!
 
Definitely sending lots of vibes. Keep him as comfortable as you can for now and keep offering the water and hay. Try and phone a vet for advice and get him to see one as soon as you can in the morning.


You may find this thread helpful to read another time. It's about boar behaviour.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949
 
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you know what the worst thing is...i dont even know what his favourite food is, as we havent had the time to discover it :(

can they have grapes? i have some of those, hoping he might get some natural sugars and liquid from them?
 
nuttymummy said:
thanks sophie....i think ive trawled the whole internet on info about guinea pigs...and lots of sites all say conflicting things!

I'm trying to learn as much as i can about their behaviour, noises etc.
my other half is a big softie and hes close to tears already, before weve even seen what the vet has to say!

I'm hoping you ladies can help too.....i was told to always keep guinea pigs together (more than one) and that males were more friendly than females.

also that it was VERY RARE that guinea pigs dont get on......so if my two have been fighting....why am i so unlucky, and what do i do now? do i re-introduce them to each other in the hope they get on, or do i keep them seperate? i dont really have the room for two cages, and wont they be lonely?

arrrggghhhh why did this have to happen! my poor little Ham!
Click to expand...

Piggies are sociable animals and should be kept in 2s or groups. Boars can get on well but usually after they have got through their teenage time. Unfortunately it is a hazard when buying a boar pair from a pet shop as they haven't been carefully bonded like a rescue would.

There is more info on boar behaviour here http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949

xx

nuttymummy said:
you know what the worst thing is...i dont even know what his favourite food is, as we havent had the time to discover it :(

can they have grapes? i have some of those, hoping he might get some natural sugars and liquid from them?
Click to expand...

They can have grapes, mine aren't too keen. Love apple as a treat though.

Safe foods http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=42
 
nuttymummy said:
thanks sophie....i think ive trawled the whole internet on info about guinea pigs...and lots of sites all say conflicting things!

I'm trying to learn as much as i can about their behaviour, noises etc.
my other half is a big softie and hes close to tears already, before weve even seen what the vet has to say!

I'm hoping you ladies can help too.....i was told to always keep guinea pigs together (more than one) and that males were more friendly than females.

also that it was VERY RARE that guinea pigs dont get on......so if my two have been fighting....why am i so unlucky, and what do i do now? do i re-introduce them to each other in the hope they get on, or do i keep them seperate? i dont really have the room for two cages, and wont they be lonely?

arrrggghhhh why did this have to happen! my poor little Ham!
Click to expand...

My friends boars fought and one of them was actually killed by the other so it can get quite bad but with careful introductions they can and will bond. You may want to try re-introducing them on neutral ground once ham is better , slowly maybe 10 or 15 minutes for the first few days then a bit longer and it should become clear if they are going to accept each other or not :)

For the mean time you will have to have a temporary home for one otherwise they could fight more :)

Mine love grapes but there favourite is definetly cucumber :D Your doing really well ... good luck to you and the little fella , he's lucky to have a caring owner like you:)
 
thanks for the links ill deffo have a look.....
i can remember them saying not to give too much 'soft' fruit n veg...like tomato etc, so was unsure about grape.

ive had them out on neutral ground before and they always cuddled up together.....the only thing i noticed once was that Ham would put his head under Rex's chin, and nudge it upwards....but rex would stay totally still!? yet its Ham whos been dominated?

thats whats so hard....is that i havent seen any fighting or anything....just the mating/dominance thing
 
i wouldn't give him apple if his tummy is empty as it's quite acidic. Text Laura on guinea pig helpline for advice overnight. I think if you pick the brown pellets out of your food and mush them up and find the syringe that's your best bet.
Sorry i didn't realise calpol couldn't be given to youngsters.
Lettuce, broccoli, carrot, spinach, cucumber loads of stuff you could try.
Also you've been told a lot of duff advice about guineas I'm afraid. Stick with us we'll help as much as we can x
 
thanks piggiepal,

i was told some by pets at home, and a friend whos the owner of 8 guineas.

ive just tried him with some grape, he had two nibbles n is now sat having a rest.
dont know if its because he isnt keen on the grape, or if its because he doesnt want to eat.
his head is still normal now though....not tilted like before
 
well i have a very low opinion of pets at home as a whole and your friend should be ashamed if she has that many pigs and doesn't know about behaviour issues!
Try put as much different stuff as you can in for him overnight and get to the vet first thing. Thinking of you and Ham x x
 
So sorry to hear about your piggie - sending healing vibes your way :)

If it is found to be 'war' wounds then when you come to try and re-bond you could try bathing then together so both piggies smell the same. When it comes to the introduction, do it on neutral ground (some people use a temporary run/area - or even the bath - but without the water). Someone has already provided you with a forum link detailing boar behaviour, so you'll have some idea of what's good and what's not - keep a towel handy, because should a fight break out the last thing you'll want to do is put your hands in to separate.

SophieCyde said:
You may want to try re-introducing them on neutral ground once ham is better , slowly maybe 10 or 15 minutes for the first few days then a bit longer
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Boars are very different to females and once you decide to introduce two boys you must commit and stick with it (unless there is a fight). Frequent meetings do nothing for them bonding and actually does more harm than good. With boars if you keep separating them, each meeting is like the first time and they have to start the bonding process from stage 1 every time.

You'll know within the first 30mins from observation whether the two will get along or whether it's impossible. If they do get along and everything is quiet (distractions are a good idea so make sure they have plenty of toys/food in with them when you do the meeting) then you can put them in their cage together. I found the bonding process was best done in the morning then i had like 8+hrs i could spend throughout the day monitoring them.

Make sure before you put them back in their cage that you give it a thorough clean and try re-arranging it slightly so it's new to both piggies.

Can i ask - what size cage are they living in? Do they live indoors or outdoors?

Good luck ;)
 
thanks, i had a read of the boar behaviour......and my other half has witnessed Rex trying to mount ham.....but that is listed under 'normal' behaviour.

I havent seen any behaviour from them off the agression or fight list. So was it normal behaviour.

I have a picture of hams wound i posted on the internet to see if someone could help:
poor little dude :(
dscf4268m.jpg



they are in an indoors cage (in our front room as my other half said they looked lonely in my sons room!)
in a ferplast cage?

and another thing.......i read that a girl bathed her guinea pig and it died! so wasnt sure what to do on that front! ive never heard of anyone bathing their hamster or rabbit so didnt know if you should or not...i know you do with dogs etc, but i didnt know what to do for the best.

like i said...they snuggle up to each other when we get them out.....and once when we took Ham out the cage for 5 minutes, Rex was 'wheeking' for him, and then Ham started to answer him......so i thought they were getting along!

i feel like such an idiot!
 
I have two boars living together but not very wise also, when my mum turned up with the piggys for my children, I had had dogs, cats, buggies and gerbils but never guinea pigs. I was told they were girls and sisters at that and after reading up on them from some books though oh good two girls get on well together. But I always would notice them doing the dance you speak about but they would never bite each other. They are 1 year old now but 4 months ago my sister inlaw learned how to sex guinea pigs and the two girls turned ot to be boys lol but because they brothers and kept together from young they are fine I wont say they dont warn each other now and then who is the boss but I do fine the boss role changes within the day.
I do think the cut has got infected 5 days would be long enough for this to happen. Just a thoughtbut has the cage got any sharp bars, edges etc or even toys maybe worth a look. When ham gets better I would try him back with the other but as said above short bursts and then getting longer, my friend put two cages side by side with one in each to help with the bonding.
I do fear that the piggys are not brothers and had only been put together shortly before you bought them, not got much to say about pets for homes. You will be fine just keep trying water and the mushed up pellets dont forget the water bottle if you have one I will check up on messages in the morning kind thoughts from Nicky.
 
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Please DO NOT introduce in short bursts - this has very bad consequences and can have very bad effects on what could be a good relationship between the two.

When you come to introduce them (when your piggie gets better) you must see it through - DO NOT keep separating them please.... Each time you separate with boars it's like them meeting for the first time every time! You can certainly keep them side by side before the introduction (so they can smell and see one another through cage bars) but once you place them together in the neutral area - DO NOT separate again if there are no fights.

When you first noticed the wound - what did it look like?

I find it hard to believe that two pigs that are showing quite normal boar behaviour at all times would all of a sudden see one attack the other - but without no one seeing anything. What's even more odd is that you say they are still acting like a normal boar pairing should do - normally there are tell-tale signs?

Take a look at this link - did the wound resemble any of the images at any stage?

http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html

When you say a Ferplast cage - do you know the size of it?
 
I forgot to add:

I bathe my piggies and have never had a problem (i have 6 pigs - 4 males 2 females). My females tend to be 'cleaner' than my boys and so my eldest sow has only ever had 3 baths (she's coming up to 12months old) and my youngest sow who is coming up to 8months old has only ever had 1 bath in her lifetime.

My boys on the other hand have been bathed more regularly - especially my two long haired boys who have a bath every 6-8wks.

Bathing them is fairly simple and i only ever wash from the neck down. I always towel dry to remove as much excess water as possible then use my hairdryer on the lowest heat setting to almost dry them completely.

There are loads of video's if you do an internet search on how to bathe a piggie.
 
Sodapops said:
Please DO NOT introduce in short bursts - this has very bad consequences and can have very bad effects on what could be a good relationship between the two.

When you come to introduce them (when your piggie gets better) you must see it through - DO NOT keep separating them please.... Each time you separate with boars it's like them meeting for the first time every time! You can certainly keep them side by side before the introduction (so they can smell and see one another through cage bars) but once you place them together in the neutral area - DO NOT separate again if there are no fights.

When you first noticed the wound - what did it look like?

I find it hard to believe that two pigs that are showing quite normal boar behaviour at all times would all of a sudden see one attack the other - but without no one seeing anything. What's even more odd is that you say they are still acting like a normal boar pairing should do - normally there are tell-tale signs?

Take a look at this link - did the wound resemble any of the images at any stage?

http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html

When you say a Ferplast cage - do you know the size of it?
Click to expand...

I thank you for this info on bonding them together as I am not very wise other then what books tell me of which one says one thing but another says something else. This info will help me as next week I am hoping to be getting a rescued boar and will need to bond them hopefuly with my two boars thanks again and wish me luck.
 
Sodapops said:
Please DO NOT introduce in short bursts - this has very bad consequences and can have very bad effects on what could be a good relationship between the two.

When you come to introduce them (when your piggie gets better) you must see it through - DO NOT keep separating them please.... Each time you separate with boars it's like them meeting for the first time every time! You can certainly keep them side by side before the introduction (so they can smell and see one another through cage bars) but once you place them together in the neutral area - DO NOT separate again if there are no fights.

When you first noticed the wound - what did it look like?

I find it hard to believe that two pigs that are showing quite normal boar behaviour at all times would all of a sudden see one attack the other - but without no one seeing anything. What's even more odd is that you say they are still acting like a normal boar pairing should do - normally there are tell-tale signs?

Take a look at this link - did the wound resemble any of the images at any stage?

http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html

When you say a Ferplast cage - do you know the size of it?
Click to expand...

That ^ is exactley what I was going to write...you took the words right out of my mouth. :)

I wouldnt jump to conclusions that this face wound was from a bite from Rex, all the information you have given about their relationship suggests it wasnt a fall out. Normal boar behaviour (and I think sow behaviour, although I've only ever had boars myself)) is that they are very demonstative on the communication front, but with young boars there would be a build up of aggressive body language on both sides, and with young boars it builds in time, and especially through the hormonal stage of their life.
I have some very happy pairs of boars, and it all comes down to both their personalities.

I have a suspicion that the poorly face and poorly behaviour is linked.
And I also was going to suggest fungal, and some other underlying problem with Ham.

I hope the little fellow pulls through and gets treatment from the vet, then Rex and Ham can be reunited. It sounds you are really trying your best to help him tonight.

Just a thought...have you been feeding Rex and Ham veggies as a normal part of their diet everyday? Just thinking on the vitamin C content of their diet.

Sending big vibes to Ham, and please update us on his progress.
 
nthornes37 said:
I thank you for this info on bonding them together as I am not very wise other then what books tell me of which one says one thing but another says something else. This info will help me as next week I am hoping to be getting a rescued boar and will need to bond them hopefuly with my two boars thanks again and wish me luck.
Click to expand...

Please think carefully about introducing a 3rd boar to a already bonded pair. This can be very tricky and rarely works. If 2 boars have a good relationship, I wouldnt ever try and bond another one with them. (I know people on here will say they have 3 boars happy together, but its very few and far between.)
 
Salt n Peppers mum said:
Please think carefully about introducing a 3rd boar to a already bonded pair. This can be very tricky and rarely works. If 2 boars have a good relationship, I wouldnt ever try and bond another one with them. (I know people on here will say they have 3 boars happy together, but its very few and far between.)
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would you suggest pairing him with another boar instead he is around one years old if so of what age of boar would you pair him with thanks.
 
hi guys, well we were up past midnight, piled more hay in which he seemed to snuffle in/get comfy.
offered him carrot but wasnt interested, had a few nibbles on grape, but much preffered to eat the hay.
we have lots more poops this morning.

at the minute he lying in the hay and has burried his head in it.

as soon as the vets open at 9am I'm making him an appointment.
the other half left me a note before he went to work saying he was gutted and i had to let him know how he gets on at the vet.

seems not only internet pages have conflicting advice, but forums do too! LOL
i suppose lots of different situations require different things.

I'm HOPING to god he has some sort of infection that can be treated, so he can recover the full health and join Rex.

and I'm so glad someone noticed that they are both displaying normal behaviour!

First thing i checked for was loose bars, sharp things, toys etc, and theres nothing! As said i didnt suspect Rex at first but when i couldnt find anything to cause such an injury the finger got pointed!

i didnt notice a patch like that....it seemes to be fine one day, and then a patch of fur missing the next with the red sore....i did notice 2 days later the patch had got slightly bigger (upwards) so though maybe rex had, had another go at him....but again only ever saw normal behaviour.

i thought it may had been mites and he had scratched himself too much? but with the whole head tilting and severe off balance i put it down to a stroke.

hmmm, not sure of the size of cage, we got it given, and i think they had a rabbit in it. its grey has green and white bars, and has a hut with a built in feeding bowl on the top.

ill update everyone the minute i get back from the vets.

I'm so glad theres more poop this morning....he must have eaten hay through the night :)
 
Glad to hear he's comfortable at the moment.

When one of my piggies had an abscess I never did find out the cause of it - a nip from another pig was possible although I have never seen them nip each other - but it came up from nothing to marble size overnight. Amazing how quickly these things can appear.

Hope it all goes well for you at the vets,
xx
 
so its possible it may be some infection and it cam on rapidly?
I'm hoping so as that can be treated cant it?

also i forgot to mention i know a vet on a different forum (not animal related!) and i explained the situation (this was before the suspected stroke) and she said 10 weeks old is too early for guinea pigs to fight/dominate. so maybe the patch is somesort of fungus/mites etc?

if so though how on earth has he got it?
 
nuttymummy said:
so its possible it may be some infection and it cam on rapidly?
I'm hoping so as that can be treated cant it?

also i forgot to mention i know a vet on a different forum (not animal related!) and i explained the situation (this was before the suspected stroke) and she said 10 weeks old is too early for guinea pigs to fight/dominate. so maybe the patch is somesort of fungus/mites etc?

if so though how on earth has he got it?
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With my piggy it came on very quickly - it was a marble shaped/sized lump under her chin. It was treated successfully on 2nd attempt with antibiotics and regular emptying / cleaning the infection.

It could be fungal / mite related - two of mine had fungal infections after moving house as it stressed them a bit - hopefully your vet will be able to diagnose whatever it is and you can get started with the treatment and get it cleared up. Main thing is once you know what it is you are dealing with you can start getting him on the mend. Keep us posted.

xx
 
thanks candyfloss.
yeah the best part will be actually knowing what it is....and not that i wish my guinea pig to be ill....but i do hope its the infection and that Rex didnt do it!

though now as theyve been seperated since last night I'm guessing i have to re-introduce them on neutral ground again? and where doi put ham whilst he is recovering....i cant put him back in the cage now can i?
 
glad he's been pooping and he's still with us this morning. If he's prescribed antibiotics make sure you ask for probiotic too. Make sure you See a vet that knows about guineas too so ring around, unfortunately some vets don't have a clue about pigs either. Sorry to add more confusion to things. Good luck- Hope Ham is on th mend soon x
 
poor little thing cant even walk this morning :( just had a look when i got in from the school run and he cant even hop along on his paws :(
I'm trying to get hold of my mum to run me to the vets, ill have to see if she can nip out of work but she has no signal!
arrrgghhhh!
 
Hi the size of the cage is really important when it comes to boars, you say it's a Ferplast cage and they had a rabbit in it but sadly I've seen rabbits kept in Ferplast 80s and 100s pow-pow and I think they all come with little huts, my temporary Ferplast 80 had one in it.

Two guinea pigs need a minimum size 4' x 2' x 2' (Ferplast 120) preferably bigger for two boars.

I hope you don't think I'm getting at you but I'm just trying to help you establish what might have happened to your boars.

Did you contact Laura on the guinea pig helpline?

Good luck today.
 
14490.jpg


its something like this but more of a 'cave' hut inside.

ok i have an appointment at 11.50 today they said the earliest they had was 12.10 and asked me if it was a cat or a dog!?!? i hope they know about guinea pigs.....its the only vet i can get to today as its local enough for my mum to nip out of work.

when i said if i dont get him inot the vets today i dont think he'll make it, she then gave me 11.50 as a time.

Looking at him right now, i really dont think hes going to buck up. not walking at all, just laid on his side on the spot. i suspect they will put him down today :(
 
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