Long season for Betty - cause for concern?

LucyP

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Hi all

Our 24 (?) month old rescue sow Betty who is normally a happy, boisterous piggy has been acting hormonally for about 10 days now, rumblestrutting and mounting and a few chin offs. The attempted mounting of her little pal only went on for a couple of days thankfully but she’s rumble strutting still and prowling about. She’s eating and drinking ok but I’d say she’s a bit less outgoing than normal. Usually she’ll climb up the bars and let you easily let you feed or pick her up but sometimes lately she’s a bit more reluctant, although not exactly scared. She’s also less inclined to go up to the upper level of the house although she will.

Winnie (her little pal) has been pretty tolerant and not taken much notice, other than the odd pee spray to put her in her place- esp after an unwelcome mount. Winnie has always been boss pig (even though she’s a third smaller!) and has used the pee spray before on Betty so that’s not new and seems fine. Winnie also usually wins if they have the odd chin off but this time bettys been pushing her luck a bit more. They’ve never fought as such but there were a couple of times during the humping days I thought they might turn.

No obvious signs of health issues for either of them, although they did have a ringworm infection a little while back.

I can’t see any crusty nipples or similar.

They’ve both always had their rumble moments and mini arguments but never for more than a few days each.

Should I be worried about bettys health or their bond?

Many thanks!
 
I dont know too much about behavior...my now 4 year old sow just went in to the vet to have ovarian cysts drained (in the car waiting right now!). She mounts her cage mate daily, and the crusty nipples did show up first. Once we saw hair loss on her sides it was confirmed.

All this went on for over 6 months before the diagnosis, so hopefully that isn't the reason you're seeing the change in behavior 💕
 
I would consider ruling out health related issues given the change in her behaviour.
 
Thanks for your replies. I’ve got a feeling Winnie might be in season now too - she’s started rumblestrutting back..
 
I do not have muck knowledge on medical situations,but my piggies and I wish you and Betty luck! In fact I have a piggie named Betty. :(
 
If you are concerned that her behaviour may be more than just a strong season then a vet check certainly won’t go amiss.
You know your guinea pigs and what is normal behaviour.
 
Thanks so much everyone, much appreciated!

Of course now that we’ve taken all your time advising, Betty seems to be acting her normal self again today, back to being contented underpig to Winnie but boss pig lording it over her humans with her MASSIVE shouts for food and climbing up onto us. She seems totally back to her ‘normal’ self 😍

She’s always been a bit of a funny one, on a normal season she toddles about going from rumble strutting to submissive whining in the space of seconds, like she can’t decide if she’s coming or going!

Anyway they both seem happy enough and have been hanging out together, eating, drinking and zooming.

So maybe it was a one off odd season that went on a bit!?! But I’m going to keep an eye out and will contact the vet if she seems a bit off again.

She had a full health check just before Xmas but I know things can change so I’ll be keeping a close eye.

Thanks again.
 
Glad Betty is back to normal but you are very wise to keep an eye on her, just in case.
They do like to keep us on our toes!
 
They do! Thanks again for the support everyone. Definitely keeping an eye on her but so far they’re doing all their normal things together today (very important guinea pig business of course) so fingers crossed it was just a strong time of the month!
 
Thanks loads! I checked the video and it seemed like similar behaviour. Just went on a bit longer than expected (several days) and much stronger than normal. Still seems fine now though. Someone said it might be a spring thing!?!
 
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