Splitting up my boys...

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Sophie10

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Hello, I am new to posting on this thread although I often take a look for advice here. Unfortunately, I am in a position where I have had to separate my 2 boy Guinea pigs. They are middle aged and have always been together up till now. We adopted them 5 months ago. Historically, Star was poorly and Domino seemed to use this time to assert his authority and they had a huge bust up, blood drawn rolling over each other etc. At this point we separated them overnight and reintroduced them to each other in the garden the following day. Tensions were there to start but then things settled down a bit and they seemed happier. Another visit to the vet later (mites), the vet noticed that Star had lots of bites on his rump.... she suggested that it might be they were grumpy due to mites and to give 2 weeks to see how they went after treatment. All seemed okay until this morning.... horrible fight... had to separate straight away. Domino bitten on his nose and Star with a chunk out of his ear....
I believe I must now keep them apart? Has anyone had the same situation? I am dreadfully sad as these 2 used to be so snuggly and happy together and I know how much guins need their company....
We have an upstairs/downstairs large cage outside so keeping them apart is easy by closing top off and removing ramp.
So sad....
Advice please
 
Sophie10 said:
Hello, I am new to posting on this thread although I often take a look for advice here. Unfortunately, I am in a position where I have had to separate my 2 boy Guinea pigs. They are middle aged and have always been together up till now. We adopted them 5 months ago. Historically, Star was poorly and Domino seemed to use this time to assert his authority and they had a huge bust up, blood drawn rolling over each other etc. At this point we separated them overnight and reintroduced them to each other in the garden the following day. Tensions were there to start but then things settled down a bit and they seemed happier. Another visit to the vet later (mites), the vet noticed that Star had lots of bites on his rump.... she suggested that it might be they were grumpy due to mites and to give 2 weeks to see how they went after treatment. All seemed okay until this morning.... horrible fight... had to separate straight away. Domino bitten on his nose and Star with a chunk out of his ear....
I believe I must now keep them apart? Has anyone had the same situation? I am dreadfully sad as these 2 used to be so snuggly and happy together and I know how much guins need their company....
We have an upstairs/downstairs large cage outside so keeping them apart is easy by closing top off and removing ramp.
So sad....
Advice please
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

Sadly it is the end of the road for the two of them. Once there are serious bites, piggies of any age or gender won't go back with each other. Please keep them as next door neighbours with a divider so they can still fully interact with each other and stimulate each other, but they have each their own territory.
Bonds In Trouble
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next? (the 'What next' options apply to you, too).

Since you do not know their previous story and conditions, you do not know whether there are underlying issues that could have broken out again as the hierarchy was in question. The severity of the fights rather suggests that there has been some serious aggro potential around below the apparently serene surface and how they have made it through the teenage months - some people will just leave their fighting boars together during the teenage months. They are forced to work out a way of getting on, but the resentment continues to be there - very similar to human people that have grown up together or have been partnered together for a longer time. :(

It is a very upsetting experience for you, but please do not feel guilty.
 
Thanks for your honest reply..... feel utterly miserable. Tried putting them out for a run on the grass with a divider and Star was going mad trying to reach his buddy - biting bars and digging... broke my heart.....
 
Sophie10 said:
Thanks for your honest reply..... feel utterly miserable. Tried putting them out for a run on the grass with a divider and Star was going mad trying to reach his buddy - biting bars and digging... broke my heart.....
Click to expand...

It is upsetting, and of course the perpetrator cannot understand why are no longer allowed access to the other pig. However, they will settle down. We have got quite a number of ' bonded can't live together and can't live apart' boar pairs on here that belong to forum members.
 
Just wish I could see them happy again.... have brought second run today so at least they can both be out in the sunshine now it is here. Have telephoned the RSPCA and national animal welfare trust to see if they can help me bond them with a friend each but from there on in I dont know what we will do.... dont think we can accommodate 4.... my daughters are so upset... domino is completely withdrawn, curled up, off his food and turning his back on us 😪😪
 
Sophie10 said:
Just wish I could see them happy again.... have brought second run today so at least they can both be out in the sunshine now it is here. Have telephoned the RSPCA and national animal welfare trust to see if they can help me bond them with a friend each but from there on in I dont know what we will do.... dont think we can accommodate 4.... my daughters are so upset... domino is completely withdrawn, curled up, off his food and turning his back on us 😪😪
Click to expand...

A full-on attack and fight is generally as upsetting for the piggies involved as it is for human owners, and it can really shake them up.
Please have Domino vet checked to make sure that he doesn;t have any deep bites to the rump or any sensitive spot.

Which UK county are you in? The RSPCA is often not exactly piggy savvy as each branch is run independently and they have very inflexible rules. they are generally not the place to got to with fallen-out boars.
There are options beyond but we cannot help you with tips without knowing what options are available in your area.
 
Wiebke said:
A full-on attack and fight is generally as upsetting for the piggies involved as it is for human owners, and it can really shake them up.
Please have Domino vet checked to make sure that he doesn;t have any deep bites to the rump or any sensitive spot.

Which UK county are you in? The RSPCA is often not exactly piggy savvy as each branch is run independently and they have very inflexible rules. they are generally not the place to got to with fallen-out boars.
There are options beyond but we cannot help you with tips without knowing what options are available in your area.
Click to expand...
 
Both guins are being seen by vet to check them over and also so I can get further advice. We are in bushey, Hertfordshire. Would love to know if anywhere that might help us if you have that information. Thank you
 
I like this idea but we dont really have space for 4 guins... am going to speak to vet to ask re neutering and their age etc. Would so love them to find a friend but also very worried about more fighting? Are girl/boy pairs more successful? Thank you for taking the time to reply. Had a good cry today about it all.... goes against all my being to be the owner of unhappy animals... cant bare it... x
 
Lots of tears today, decision made to have both neutered so they have a chance to find a friend.... sadly this means we will have to let one boy go as we cant have 4.....
 
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