Pigs not getting on, advice please!

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*Gem*

*Gem*

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Good evening, I have two young female pigs which I have had for just over a week, one girl is totally healthy but the other girl has some balance/head tilt problems. Yesterday and today I have noticed that the two girls sleep far away from each other and when The girl with the head tilt tries to hide with Grace under a blanket if she gets scared, one of them lets out an awful cry - I can't see what's going on as it's always under a blanket or in a snuggle sack but Grace really doesn't like Petal being anywhere near her and I think she might be attacking her when she gets too close. Petal has been very quiet today and seems depressed so I've separated them for tonight :( Grace hasn't settled very well since I've had her and is very timid, i would love to hear from yourselves whether or not you think they should remain separate or try to keep them together, they certainly aren't bonding at the moment!
Thanks x
 
Hi there. I understand how you feel as I am going through a similar experience. From what I understand the squeak is just to show the other guinea pig is submissive. Guinea pigs do not have to actually cuddle together to get along. I would keep them together as they are not actually fighting. Were they bonded before you got them? Is the poorly girl seeing a vet for the head tilt?
 
Hi, the head tilt/balance thing can happen when piggy has ear infection. You need to take her to the vet it will be painful for her.
 
Hi!

Please have the girl with the head tilt seen by a competent vet as soon as you can. It is most likely an ear infection, but it can have other causes. An untreated ear infection can kill. If you haven't got a vet yet, you may find our piggy savvy vet locator helpful: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/locator/vets.html

Your girls are currently going through dominance and a vital hierarchy sort out that will the shape of their relationship, but NOT how good friends they can become afterwards. Your top girl is making sure that she is getting first choice of everything, and will nip your underpiggy to make that fact clear. The screaming is usually much more in protest than in actual pain; it means "don't be nasty to me, I'm not a danger for you!" You hear it more often towards the end of the actual dominance phase.
Here is more about sow behaviour: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?38561-Sow-behaviour

Please make sure that they have both a hidey and a place to be warm and snug away from each other. Even the most snuggly piggies usually like to spend some time away from each other.
 
Hi all, Petal had ear mites which have been treated but have left her with this head tilt. I got her from the adoption centre at pets at home and they assured me that the vet had given her the all clear hence why she was available for adoption? They have a large indoor cage so have plenty of space to get away from one another.
 
Hi all, just to let you know that Petal saw a vet yesterday and the vet said she is fine, ears are clear and her wobbliness may even be something she was born with, but the main thing is she isn't in any pain so we are both happy chappies :xd: Xx
 
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