Ok so came in this morning to give the boys some hay and Travis's nail is hanging on by a thread and its bleeding. Boris is unaware but is staying in one side of the cage as Travis is chattering very aggressively. I dont know what to do should I take Travis to the emergency vet or just treat it at home? Also when Boris goes near him they both stat chattering and getting aggressive. SHould i seperate them?
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HELP! Piggie nail
- Thread starter jojowelsh
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Try to stench the bleeding with styptic powder to cornflower.
If the bleeding doesn't stop or you can't cut of the nail yourself, go and see a vet.
Sadly, ripping nails out is not that uncommon. Most nails grow back eventually and do not seem to bother the piggies much.
I don't know whether a scuffle between your boys was the reason for the incident, but I would not separate your boars too often; it is not helpful for their relationship as they have to work out dominance and everything again upon meeting.
If the bleeding doesn't stop or you can't cut of the nail yourself, go and see a vet.
Sadly, ripping nails out is not that uncommon. Most nails grow back eventually and do not seem to bother the piggies much.
I don't know whether a scuffle between your boys was the reason for the incident, but I would not separate your boars too often; it is not helpful for their relationship as they have to work out dominance and everything again upon meeting.
aalur
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Don't worry, this happened to my Fred after a fight with little gold, it bleeds loads, but it does eventually stop and its does grow back, although Fred's grew back much thicker than before. I took him to the vet and all he did was wash the wound. I think its more the amount of blood that freaks us out!
Hugs, must have been a shock for you this morning x>>
Hugs, must have been a shock for you this morning x>>
aalur
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It does sound like they may have had a fight, but i wouldn't separate them just yet, keep a really close eye on them for today and see how it goes.
If you feel you really need to separate, try just making a divider in the cage so they can still be together and then you can try re-introducing them later.
If you feel you really need to separate, try just making a divider in the cage so they can still be together and then you can try re-introducing them later.
aalur
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ok, yes, i would, its good to have a spare cage anyway with boars. definitely make sure you keep them next to each other. There are things you can do to re-introduce them, such as giving them a bath, but look into that later.
lovelygirl
Adult Guinea Pig
They are probably going through the adolescent phase and the hormones are going wild and they are both competing to be "top" pig. This is unfortunately more common than we would like with boars 
Have they had two of everything houses, bowls, water bottles etc etc do they have a extra large cage for boys i would recommend 5ft by 2ft minimum as they need lots of space to maintain a peaceful relationship. As they have drawn blood i would separate and i would think it will be difficult to rebond them.
Have they had two of everything houses, bowls, water bottles etc etc do they have a extra large cage for boys i would recommend 5ft by 2ft minimum as they need lots of space to maintain a peaceful relationship. As they have drawn blood i would separate and i would think it will be difficult to rebond them.
aalur
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Aww, its hormones, they're just having their 'teenage phase' it happens with lots of boars, its happened to loads of my pairings, none of my original pairs have stayed together, but i have successfully paired babies with older boars and even 2 very placid adults, but thats why i've ended up with 10 piggies |)
Don't get too down about it, as long as they are next to each other, they wont get lonely. I know its disappointing though. xx
its hormones, they're just having their 'teenage phase' it happens with lots of boars, its happened to loads of my pairings, none of my original pairs have stayed together, but i have successfully paired babies with older boars and even 2 very placid adults, but thats why i've ended up with 10 piggies |)Don't get too down about it, as long as they are next to each other, they wont get lonely. I know its disappointing though. xx
lovelygirl
Adult Guinea Pig
Please buy a big a cage as you can afford as they really need a minimum of 2ft by 4ft! most petshop cages are TOO small!
lovelygirl
Adult Guinea Pig
I think cage size looks like it was probably a big factor in their relationship break down as neither cage look to be the minimum of 4ft by 2ft..... boar need lots and lots of space to stop them falling out.
Laura-CCC4
Senior Guinea Pig
Don't feel bad, you didn't know before but you do now, as long as you learn from it and are now aware of cage size and how it can affect piggie relationships, you've done all you can - there's no point wondering "what if". 
How's his nail now?
How's his nail now?
Yeah I know now for my next set as I plan to get more once we move to a bigger place. Its not bleeding but its hanging off i think i dont wanna touch it in case I hurt him more. I'm going to go to the vets in morning as I didnt think that it warrented the £70 call out fee for the vets! he seems content and I can touch him and pick him up just glad the bleeding has stopped 8...8...:0
as I plan to get more once we move to a bigger place. Its not bleeding but its hanging off i think i dont wanna touch it in case I hurt him more. I'm going to go to the vets in morning as I didnt think that it warrented the £70 call out fee for the vets! he seems content and I can touch him and pick him up just glad the bleeding has stopped 8...8...:0
Laura-CCC4
Senior Guinea Pig
That's the main point, good to hear. I had the same thing happen about five years ago with my first pig. Ripped his nail off - on a weekend, quite typical - except it was only 90% torn, it was still attached. We bandaged his foot for the night (pointless as he slipped it off quickly) but found his nail came off on its own at some stage during the night.
The vet put him on a course of Baytril to prevent infection and recommended bathing it in saline for a few days; it healed up no problem and the nail grew back within a few months.
The vet put him on a course of Baytril to prevent infection and recommended bathing it in saline for a few days; it healed up no problem and the nail grew back within a few months.
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