Arthritis piggie with rough cage mate

[Wheeksqueeksquad]

Hi! This is my first post.

I have a female piggy named Maya. I tried matching her with a lot of pigs but she always turns out to hate them. She looks the happiest when she's alone. But I know they should not be alone so I just try to keep on matching and matching. A couple weeks ago I got a message from someone with an older piggy whose friend had crossed the rainbow bridge and who needed a new cage mate. As she was not dominant at all I decided to give it a try with Maya. It was a match! It's not like they seem very close but Maya tolerates her (Wuppie). So I kept her. Things went well but Wuppie started moving weird during the last couple weeks. I'm pretty sure she has arthritis and I'm seeing a vet tomorrow. She seems to be in pain and fell over today. The problem is, ever since then Maya has been a bit rough with her. She keeps jumping on her, nibbling at her and not giving her a break. Wuppie is in pain and gives a squeak every time Maya jumps her.

I have two other piggies, Shaffy and a baby Indy. Shaffy lost his mate so I got him Indy and since then he's been really happy. Maya hates Shaffy and they can't stay together. Shaffy and Indy are good together. Indy is so sweet and chill that she could also be a match for Maya or Wuppie. The problem is Maya can't go with Shaffy. Indy can go with everyone. Maya is rough on Wuppie. And Maya and Indy would probably be a nice match. Shaffy is a male and would also probably be rough with Wuppie. But Shaffy is happy with Indy and it would be bad to break them apart anyway right? So I dont really know what to do. I want Wuppie to not be in pain and Maya makes it worse. But I want the others to be happy too. What would you do? Wait it out? Put Maya alone and Wuppie with the other two? I don't know how to fix this at the moment. I'm curious what other piggy owners would do

 

[fluffysal]

Welcome to the forum, I'm sure one of the more experienced members will be along with advice soon. I love your piggy names, do you have any pictures for us to drool over?
I have two boars, Dignified Sir George and Mischievous Master Boris who are collectively known as The Beastie Boys.

 

[Wheeksqueeksquad]

Welcome to the forum, I'm sure one of the more experienced members will be along with advice soon. I love your piggy names, do you have any pictures for us to drool over?
I have two boars, Dignified Sir George and Mischievous Master Boris who are collectively known as The Beastie Boys.

Oh my god those name are amazing haha. I do have some pics!

This is Shaffy the only boy!

This is Indy, my youngest!

Here is Wuppie, the one with arthritis
This is Maya our angry little piggy but she loves cuddles from humans!

 

[fluffysal]

They are gorgeous, I assume Shaffy has been visited by the plum fairy?
Maybe it's just that pigture but Maya does look quite angry!
Maybe have Maya as a neighbour to the other three?
The Beastie Boys.
Sir George is the black and white guy.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! This is my first post.

I have a female piggy named Maya. I tried matching her with a lot of pigs but she always turns out to hate them. She looks the happiest when she's alone. But I know they should not be alone so I just try to keep on matching and matching. A couple weeks ago I got a message from someone with an older piggy whose friend had crossed the rainbow bridge and who needed a new cage mate. As she was not dominant at all I decided to give it a try with Maya. It was a match! It's not like they seem very close but Maya tolerates her (Wuppie). So I kept her. Things went well but Wuppie started moving weird during the last couple weeks. I'm pretty sure she has arthritis and I'm seeing a vet tomorrow. She seems to be in pain and fell over today. The problem is, ever since then Maya has been a bit rough with her. She keeps jumping on her, nibbling at her and not giving her a break. Wuppie is in pain and gives a squeak every time Maya jumps her.

I have two other piggies, Shaffy and a baby Indy. Shaffy lost his mate so I got him Indy and since then he's been really happy. Maya hates Shaffy and they can't stay together. Shaffy and Indy are good together. Indy is so sweet and chill that she could also be a match for Maya or Wuppie. The problem is Maya can't go with Shaffy. Indy can go with everyone. Maya is rough on Wuppie. And Maya and Indy would probably be a nice match. Shaffy is a male and would also probably be rough with Wuppie. But Shaffy is happy with Indy and it would be bad to break them apart anyway right? So I dont really know what to do. I want Wuppie to not be in pain and Maya makes it worse. But I want the others to be happy too. What would you do? Wait it out? Put Maya alone and Wuppie with the other two? I don't know how to fix this at the moment. I'm curious what other piggy owners would do

Hi

Please see your vet, first and foremost.

The screaming is submission/protest since Maya is likely experiencing a stress related strong season and hormone spike; it is not pain related although she is likely in some amount of pain.
A reaction is not uncommon in guinea pigs who are very sensitive and insecure in themselves and cover that up with over the top dominance, provided any sows are close enough in their estrus cycle to trigger a season.

If the arthritis diagnosis is confirmed, then please also discuss supplementing with glucosamine at a higher level to help with the mobility issue as well as reducing the pain level as it gradually builds up and coats the raw bones.

For now, I would recommend that you put a quick fix divider into the cage that still allows Maya and her friend full interaction through the bars in order to not break the bond and keep it going. Hopefully, the hormone spike will down within a day or two.

Please don't panic and give Maya a chance before you upset all our piggies with jostling them around. Keeping Maya as a single next door neighbour with full interaction through the bars (scent/nose touch/full body language and not just vocal) would be your worst case scenario but right now, there is no need for it.

Sows: Behaviour and female health problems (including ovarian cysts)
Bonds In Trouble