More Festive Drama than a Christmas Soap!

alexr

alexr

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 25, 2006
Messages
644
Reaction score
585
Points
525
Location
Leicestershire
Firstly Merry Christmas to everyone and their piggies! I hope you’re all having a nice time over the festive period.

On Christmas Eve, I had to deal with an abscess in a new rescue piggy but today we have a new problem!

Herbie recently lost his long-term friend Hamish and was very depressed. So enter young Erik to cheer him up. Erik was 12 weeks old when he arrived and up until now, Herbie has done a magnificent job of acting as Daddy Pig. I was so pleased.

Fast forward a month to today and I discovered something wrong with Herbie. My instant fear was pneumonia as he was hunched in a corner with very watery eyes. Further inspection revealed an internal bite to the lip and several small bites to his rump. I cleaned him up, gave him Metacam and put him back. However, I caught little Erik chasing him round and round and trying to attack him. Herbie was terrified!

I instantly removed Erik and put him in a spare cage next door. Herbie looks so sad. I’m heartbroken for him as he really seemed to like Erik. I can’t believe such a young pig would try to take over like this. I guess the hormones have emerged! I’m going to try a trial separation but don’t think it looks promising. I also don’t think Erik would be a good prospect for my other single boars as they’re quite fiesty.

I think neutering and pairing them all with wives is looking more likely. What a shame!

Herbie & Erik last week...
5596731B-E436-4E81-B15F-AC891E8DDE05.webp
 
alexr said:
Firstly Merry Christmas to everyone and their piggies! I hope you’re all having a nice time over the festive period.

On Christmas Eve, I had to deal with an abscess in a new rescue piggy but today we have a new problem!

Herbie recently lost his long-term friend Hamish and was very depressed. So enter young Erik to cheer him up. Erik was 12 weeks old when he arrived and up until now, Herbie has done a magnificent job of acting as Daddy Pig. I was so pleased.

Fast forward a month to today and I discovered something wrong with Herbie. My instant fear was pneumonia as he was hunched in a corner with very watery eyes. Further inspection revealed an internal bite to the lip and several small bites to his rump. I cleaned him up, gave him Metacam and put him back. However, I caught little Erik chasing him round and round and trying to attack him. Herbie was terrified!

I instantly removed Erik and put him in a spare cage next door. Herbie looks so sad. I’m heartbroken for him as he really seemed to like Erik. I can’t believe such a young pig would try to take over like this. I guess the hormones have emerged! I’m going to try a trial separation but don’t think it looks promising. I also don’t think Erik would be a good prospect for my other single boars as they’re quite fiesty.

I think neutering and pairing them all with wives is looking more likely. What a shame!

Herbie & Erik last week...
View attachment 129610
Click to expand...
After owning guinea pigs for quite some time, I usually find with the presence of females it proves difficult to pair two boars. Awhile ago I decided to buy my guinea pig J.J a younger companion just as you have. They seemed to get along quite fine for a few days and I noticed them fighting and being agressive. Long story short now not only do I have one lonley male but now I have two. The best option would be to get them the snip, and two new wives, I plan to do the same 😉😂.
 
Haiden2001 said:
After owning guinea pigs for quite some time, I usually find with the presence of females it proves difficult to pair two boars. Awhile ago I decided to buy my guinea pig J.J a younger companion just as you have. They seemed to get along quite fine for a few days and I noticed them fighting and being agressive. Long story short now not only do I have one lonley male but now I have two. The best option would be to get them the snip, and two new wives, I plan to do the same 😉😂.
Click to expand...
I have all boys currently. I did have 3 pairs and 2 singles until today but now have 2 pairs and 4 singles! I think I’m going to aim to have all pigs neutered (prioritising the current singles) to enable those most in need to have female company and to open up options for the others in the future due to fall out or bereavement.

If I do have boar pairs and mixed pairs, I’m going to have to clear space in the room so I can set up separate sections.
 
Claire W said:
Aw such a shame the bonding has failed :( I’m sorry x
Click to expand...
I know, I feel so sad for Herbie. It really lifted his spirits after losing Hamish to have a little friend and finally be a leader. It looks like little pig has other ideas! Since moving next door, he’s completely ignored Herbie and has set his sights on showing off to his other neighbour Rupert! 🙄
 
Oh no such a shame! Have you tried bonding any of the other singles with them yet? Though I have heard that once boars have had a fall out they can be more difficult to bond with another boar. Just thinking out loud that if you could get one pair working it minimises the need to go through so much straight away and finding sows for them all.
 
Lady Kelly said:
Oh no such a shame! Have you tried bonding any of the other singles with them yet? Though I have heard that once boars have had a fall out they can be more difficult to bond with another boar. Just thinking out loud that if you could get one pair working it minimises the need to go through so much straight away and finding sows for them all.
Click to expand...
I know that Herbie doesn’t get on with either Rupert or Algy so that’s a no go. I’m extremely nervous of trying Erik with either of them. Rupert would be the preferable one if at all as he has calmed down considerably since his younger, aggressive days and shows willing to meet another pig. But sadly the other singles have long memories of being bullied by him and won’t be friends. I think Rupert would try his best with Erik but he could snap if pushed. Algy is instantly aggressive to pigs he doesn’t like so a pairing with a hormonal young lad may not be wise.
 
Bill & Ted said:
The naughty little Monkey!, good luck, hope you try a re-bond
Click to expand...
I tried them on my lap today and they were cuddled up. Erik was very keen to snuggle as close to Herbie as possible. Herbie was quite snappy if he got too close. I think he’s still sulking and hasn’t forgiven Erik. I decided not to risk a floor attempt today but will try them again on my lap tomorrow and see if I can get them on the floor together. Erik keeps squeaking through the bars and trying to get Herbie’s attention but Herbie is off sulking at the other end. Let’s see if he can get over his dented pride and give him another chance. 😬
 
The re-bond attempt was a no-go right from the offset. Herbie was clearly furious with little man and understandably so. I’ve since tried Erik with Rupert = a big fat no from both sides. I was very surprised that Algy had more success. Despite being a “hard man” himself, Algy didn’t go in all guns blazing and seemed quite fearful of going near Erik. Eventually they investigated each other and, remarkably, Algy kept his cool. They managed a couple of hours together until I had to call it quits as I could tell they were about to fight. I was very impressed with Algy given his reputation for aggression but it seems Erik will not be tamed! If my Alphas Rupert & Algy couldn’t get the little imp in line then Herbie had no chance.

Poor Herbie really did take a battering from the little menace. 😢 Unfortunately, despite twice daily bathing of wounds with Hibiscrub, one erupted into a stinky open abscess last night. I’ve flushed it thoroughly and will assess whether he needs a vet visit to be put on Zithromax like Maurizio. I don’t want to run out of antibiotics so would need another bottle if Herbie needs them. Bloomin’ boys!
 
Aw such a shame it did not work out. Hope Herbie’s abscess starts to go down and heal x
 
Bill & Ted said:
Aw such a shame it did not work out. Hope Herbie’s abscess starts to go down and heal x
Click to expand...
I gave it a good soak today and a neighbouring scab came off to reveal pus. It looks like an entry and exit bite mark. The good news is, there is no raised lump underneath and they’re fairly shallow, so I’m hoping regular flushing will clear it up. If it looks any worse, I’ll phone Simon to advise what dose of Zithromax to start him on. Hopefully just a good clean will keep it at bay though. 🤞
 
I took Herbie to see Kim on NYE and we decided he needed some Zithromax. The wounds are healing nicely but the poor lad has developed diarrhoea so I think the antibiotics are upsetting his tum. I have withheld veg but think the antibiotics need to be stopped at the earliest opportunity really as he’s looking rather sorry for himself. I also discovered Evil Erik had nipped Herbie in a very intimate place when I was cleaning his bum up. Looks like the little horror thought he’d attempt a premature neutering! It’s funny cos I said to Kim that Herbie’s testicles were looking noticeably bigger. She thought it was due to an increase in testosterone caused by the bust-up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top