they are fighting and I feel helpless

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Derek Mc

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Hi folks I really need some advice as my two beautiful and up til a few weeks ago placid Piggies seem to be biting lumps out each other, I see a few furless welts on Abbi and similar but less in quantity on Lucy, I would hate to separate them as they had always got along perfectly but something is definately wrong and short of separation we don't know what to do for the best.

Can anyone advise?

Sincere thanks

Derek
 
Hiya, welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear about your problems, how old are the pigs?

If they biting one another I would separate them.
 
Hi I have recently had to separate my two boars they were doing the same and chattering at each other they have only been like this since the had mites and bud has a fungal infection on the sides of his face
Have you checked them for mites, lice etc
 
I am a novice at guinea pigs, and I have started out with them separate, so I can only tell you what I would do if the situation were mine. At the first bite I would separate because it's not like you can talk to them to find out what's on their minds. Separate so they don't hurt each other any more and then deal with the issues individually such as mites, dominance, whatever. It might not be what we want but it is in the best interest of the animals.
 
hi there,
i certainly sympathize with your problem, as i'm dealing with a similar situation with my boars. i have them supervised interaction, and i seperate the instigator while we're out so they dont kill each other. they can still see and smell eachother but they cant cause any damage. keep an eye out on the wounds, and if necessary take to the vet, you dont want any infections! hth
 
Your 2 are girls arnt they?

Do you see them fighting? Are they indoors or out? Do you think it could be hormonal when they are in season or any triggers to the fighting or is it a continuous dislike to each other?
 
Hi Folks,

My thanks for the replies, to Salt n Peppers mum, yes both girls and both about 10 months old now, they are in a timber hutch that we were told was big enough for three GP's

The two are sisters believe it or not came from the same litter about a week apart when they were about 7 weeks old.

It started with one getting bitten then the other, and the other Abbi has a good four small nips around her front shoulder area. I have not seen nor heard any fighting issues and they get along in general so very well especially when outside on the grass in their enclosure, so this is all rather disturbing. We will give them a good check over for mites, then make the painful choice over separation or a larger dual level enclosure as I suspect they are getting bored due to the winter restrictions on getting them outside?
 
There are lots of things you can do with piggies to stop them getting board. Often the cheap things are the best. Things like loo roll insides stuffed with hay. Or paper bags.

I would be very concerned if they have obvious bite marks and get them to a vet ASAP as they can easily get infected. If they do get infected it can be hard to treat where as a preventative course of antibiotics should sort that out.
 
Hi Derek, yes i too would take them to the vets for a good check over, keeping on top of wounds is a must.....they so easily become infected :(
Best of luck with the girls XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
 
we are walking our 4 sows everyday in the kitchen 30 minutes.I even do rumbling sound to them to show that I'm alpha pig and show and fighting is not allowed in my cage :).Also someone suggested to bath them same shampoo same time.I recomend to feed them together and have dedicated things(house,water,bowl) for each sow.
 
Hi All,

Well, on Saturday we took the decision to separate them there were thankfully no fresh bites but they both still have healing wounds on them Abbi the shy one being the worse of the two.
so bought a second cage and now my 77 year old Mother is caring for Abbi who is a very shy wee thing and we kept Lucy the very curious outgoing Piggie.

Abbi is in a bit of shock at the separation I will add but is eating and slowly settling in my Mother has someone to talk too (poor thing I feel for Abbi:))) and still has my daughter as a very regular visitor after school when we are working so it is a better solution than re-homing as none of us want to let either of them go.

I thank everyone for their advice and will keep you all posted.
 
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