Separating Two Piggies Whilst One Is Recovering From An Infection

[Nupert16]

Hoping someone can give some advice as one of our two guinea pigs has got an UTI which he's on antibiotics for from the vets but the vet has advised to keep them separate to avoid spreading to the other guinea pig. Which is fine we have divided their cage up but they're getting stressed that they can see each other but can't get to each other. We tried separating them completely but they were stressing out more. So we just need some advice on the best way to separate them but not stress them out.

Thanks in advance!

 

[DM030819]

I've personally never had to separate my pigs when one had a UTI. I would only separate if they were having trouble eating, walking or recovering from surgery.

If you think it's causing them distress then I personally would put them back together again.

It's up to you whether you want to ask your vet first or just remove the divider.

If you want to keep them separate then it would be worth keeping them totally separate i.e. a different cage, maybe even different rooms.

 

[Swissgreys]

I agree with @Jaycey - if they are happy together then I wouldn't separate them.
As long as they appear fine and you keep the cage clean, etc. I don't see any reason they shouldn't continue to live together.

 

[Swissgreys]

And sorry - Welcome to the Forum.


Sorry your piggie is not well, but we are happy you are here.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I wouldn't separate them, yes there is a risk he could get a UTI too, but it is very rare. I've only had that happen once during 3 1/2 years of having one bladder pig that had frequent infections, one of her two companions got a UTI once. Keep the cage really clean, clean them out more often than normal for a week or so & I am sure they will be fine.

 

[Nupert16]

Hi all, thank you everyone for the advice. We will put them back together, we did think they would be okay together but as the vet had recommended they stay separated for the week we didn't want to risk anything (I'm sure you all know how close of a bond you make with the silly little things). It was just heartbreaking seeing them so sad to be apart. We shall reunite!

Thanks again!
Nilla, Rupert and some crazy guinea pig loving humans.

 

[VickiA]

Hello and a very warm welcome. That there is no real need to separate them. I suspect the separation could be more distressing to the piggies than any benefit that may be achieved.

 

[Freela]

I had one pig who had repeated UTIs (she had stones/cystitis making her susceptible.) We never separated her from her companion, and her companion never caught a UTI. UTIs are really not that contagious, and separation can be stressful to both pigs. Personally unless one pig had something highly contagious and serious, like a respiratory infection, I would not separate bonded pigs over it.

 

[Wiebke]

I've personally never had to separate my pigs when one had a UTI. I would only separate if they were having trouble eating, walking or recovering from surgery.

If you think it's causing them distress then I personally would put them back together again.

It's up to you whether you want to ask your vet first or just remove the divider.

If you want to keep them separate then it would be worth keeping them totally separate i.e. a different cage, maybe even different rooms.

If you change the bedding very regularly with a UTI, then a separation is not necessary; at first, this means a cage clean every 1-2 days until acute symptoms settle down. UTI can be passed on via scent marking (bum wiping), but it is comparatively rare if you clean them out promptly.