Badger has attacked Boris, who now has a hole in his cheek :(

[LydiaMinx]

They've squabbled before but it always been resolved without injury or any violence at all, but today I've come back from work and Boris seemed to be acting strangely and was staying in the loft so I've taken him out and inspected him and there is a cut on his left cheek, it has sliced through the tissue and was deep enough to cause my heart to stop!

Obviously, Badger is the only one who could have done this. Now I'm at a loss of what to do, I'm setting up my spare cage as we speak to keep Badger in and preparing to rush to the vets first thing tomorrow but what should I do long term? Is there any chance of re-introduction?

 

[sophieandhoney]

I think the general consensus is once blood has been seen it's curtains for the bond.

I do dread it happening to be honest. How old are they?

really sorry it isn't better news, all a bit worrying!

xx

 

[LydiaMinx]

Very worrying! It's the not knowing what I can do next which is worst I think Boris is 1.5 years old and Badger is 7 months old, so I suspect it was hormone based but I had hoped the worst of puberty had passed for him

 

[piggyfan]

Oh no! I am so sorry this happened. Poor Borris.

 

[LydiaMinx]

Thank you, I thought after them being together for 5 months that I was in the clear - obviously not! Badger is being a diva and biting the cage bars at the moment and Boris just seems relieved to be alone, I'm so upset that I may have to potentially rehome Badger

 

[piggyfan]

Oh gosh how sad you will have to rehome Badger. Is there no way they can live apart and be neutered and found sows? I hear so many stories of boars falling out. I personally would be scared to have two in case it happened.

 

[LydiaMinx]

I will try to work out some arrangement if I can't re-introduce them where they can see each other, but unfortunately I would only be able to get sows if I rehomed Badger as I have no more space I'm going to aim for re-introductions though, even though I know it probably won't work

 

[LydiaMinx]

Does anyone know how long I should wait before trying to re-introduce the two together?

 

[Claire W]

By rule once blood has been drawn, that is usually the end of the friendship.

If you really want to try again, I would leave it a couple of days (leave them side by side so they can still see and smell each other) to let them both cool off.

You could try giving them a bonding bath as this encourages piggies to snuggle up and they will smell the same.

Good luck

 

[LydiaMinx]

I really hope that this is one of the few exceptions where this isn't the case, as there are no rescues in my area with space that could take Badger

I will wait a few days, to a week and see how it goes and will try the bath, thank you for the advice