PTSD

[Incredipigs]

So as some people may know, I had a rat (or possibly a stoat) break into the Pig house and kill my piggie, Charity. I also found out later it had chewed a chunk out of both Toff's ears. Luckily, her ears are fine and have healed. However I think Toff has ptsd. She's been sitting under the bedding box instead of in it with the other piggies. Sometimes she will freak out and bolt around spinning and bucking when there's nothing there and yesterday I put my hand near her and she panicked and bit me. I'm really worried about her.
What can I do to help her? All the other piggies are a bit nervous and skittish but not like Toff.

 

[worried val of york]

I am no expert but have you considered taking Toff to see a vet as she may have an infection if she has had a rat bite.

 

[Claire W]

I’m sorry that happened. I’ve only just heard Bit I agree about taking Toff to the vet if only for a check up x

 

[VickiA]

 

[Bill & Ted]

Poor Toff she has had a dreadful experience and like anyone needs time to come to terms with the horror she witnessed and her own encounter with the perpetrator. A vet check might be helpful and put your mind at rest. Otherwise make her feel as secure as possible with plenty of hideys and deep hay. Move slowly around her and talk soothingly to her, in time she will come round x

 

[Merab]

I agree.
She’s going to need a lot of love and patience and gentleness to help her feel safe again.

 

[Qualcast&Flymo]

Have you cleaned out their cage/shed since the attack? I wonder if Toff can still smell the rat on something or in the air, and it's making her jumpy and unable to relax .
I hope she is better soon, I agree a vet check is probably a good idea too.

 

[DMS260820]

You need to be careful youself incase you get weils desease from wild rat urine. If you get flu like sysmptoms, which it matches exactly. Get yourself to a doc. It can be fatal. I learnt this on my cscs training for building sites. A man died from rat pee and the site got shut down

 

[Lady Kelly]

Huge hugs. PTSD is when the brain kind of rewires after trauma. I think what toff is displaying would be a normal reaction to trauma. I agree with the above in terms of eliminating any rat smell and having the vet check her over to ensure there are no issues from the rat bites

 

[Incredipigs]

Have you cleaned out their cage/shed since the attack? I wonder if Toff can still smell the rat on something or in the air, and it's making her jumpy and unable to relax .
I hope she is better soon, I agree a vet check is probably a good idea too.

Yes after it happened I scrubbed the floor, walls, cages, bedding box and anything else that was in the house with disinfectant