Blood drawn

[danuutka]

My boys just had their first proper scrap where blood has been drawn. Miki (around 6 months) and Ozzie (almost a year old) have recently been getting more fighty - Ozzie will incessantly chase Miki around the room, trying to nip, mount and chattering VERY loud. Yesterday he also ripped a chunk of fur out along with Miki’s whisker (I will attach a picture). This happened just now, but Miki turned around after rumble strutting to try to “square up” which resulted in Ozzie lunging and biting multiple times. The injury is pictured below.

I’m cleaning the wound with boiled and cooled water with sea salt, and keeping them away from each other. In terms of separating them overnight, and then re-introducing, I’m at a loss of how to do it. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[Claire W]

I’m afraid that once blood has been drawn, they won’t go back together again and you will need to separate then permanently they can live side by side either with a divider down the middle of the cage or in separate cages next to each other so they can still chat to each other without being physically near each other. I’m sorry this has happened

 

[Betsy]

As I understand it one blood has been drawn you can't reintroduce. If they are fighting that much they have decided that they don't want to live together and you will have to keep them separated permanently.

 

[Siikibam]

Sorry that your boys have had a scrap. Unfortunately the stage they’re at (especially Miki) can make it a tense time with hormones abounding.

wouldn’t try reintroducing them. Mainly because of the multiple attacks on Miki, but also because Miki seems to have wanted to retaliate. Of course It’s ultimately up to you but I don’t think I would try it.

 

[Wiebke]

My boys just had their first proper scrap where blood has been drawn. Miki (around 6 months) and Ozzie (almost a year old) have recently been getting more fighty - Ozzie will incessantly chase Miki around the room, trying to nip, mount and chattering VERY loud. Yesterday he also ripped a chunk of fur out along with Miki’s whisker (I will attach a picture). This happened just now, but Miki turned around after rumble strutting to try to “square up” which resulted in Ozzie lunging and biting multiple times. The injury is pictured below.

I’m cleaning the wound with boiled and cooled water with sea salt, and keeping them away from each other. In terms of separating them overnight, and then re-introducing, I’m at a loss of how to do it. Any tips would be appreciated.

Hi!

Please follow the tips in our teenage guide and separate for two days to allow tempers and hormones to die down and the stink to be cleaned off the coat. You should see very quickly during a re-intro on neutral ground whether the grudge factor has become too great or whether they still get on after some dominance. Have thick oven gloves and a carrier on stand by if things heat up.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

You have to take it from there. All you can do is to assess their bond with the temporary separation and re-intro, but there is nothing you can do about the relationship itself. it sounds like Ozzie is not able to handle being challenged and no longer in total control; he basically freaked and had a fear-aggressive overreaction.

It is always a gutting experience if your piggies stop getting on and being the delightful pets of your dreams.

 

[danuutka]

Hi!

Please follow the tips in our teenage guide and separate for two days to allow tempers and hormones to die down and the stink to be cleaned off the coat. You should see very quickly during a re-intro on neutral ground whether the grudge factor has become too great or whether they still get on after some dominance. Have thick oven gloves and a carrier on stand by if things heat up.
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

You have to take it from there. All you can do is to assess their bond with the temporary separation and re-intro, but there is nothing you can do about the relationship itself. it sounds like Ozzie is not able to handle being challenged and no longer in total control; he basically freaked and had a fear-aggressive overreaction.

It is always a gutting experience if your piggies stop getting on and being the delightful pets of your dreams.

We checked Ozzie for any cuts last night, but couldn’t find any in the typical places. He was also so riled up that we couldn’t keep him still. Today we took him out of the cage and saw this gash.

 

[Wiebke]

We checked Ozzie for any cuts last night, but couldn’t find any in the typical places. He was also so riled up that we couldn’t keep him still. Today we took him out of the cage and saw this gash.

Ouch! Please have that vet checked as it looks full on and rather deep; you may want to keep checking it every few days in case of an abscess. Your vet may want to prescribe an antibiotic.
Personally I would not try a re-intro after finding that.

 

[danuutka]

Ouch! Please have that vet checked as it looks full on and rather deep; you may want to keep checking it every few days in case of an abscess. Your vet may want to prescribe an antibiotic.
Personally I would not try a re-intro after finding that.

I have called and sent a picture to the vet who said they weren’t concerned as it seems quite dry, so to just keep an eye on it. I will use pet antiseptic on it to clean it, and keep checking for any nasty signs. I also have an F10 ointment from nellis surgery wound, so I could use that once it starts closing up.

I agree. I was thinking of reintroducing the boys after Miki’s quite minor cut, but after this I don’t even dare to try I just need to work out how in the world to make it all work now

 

[Wiebke]

I have called and sent a picture to the vet who said they weren’t concerned as it seems quite dry, so to just keep an eye on it. I will use pet antiseptic on it to clean it, and keep checking for any nasty signs. I also have an F10 ointment from nellis surgery wound, so I could use that once it starts closing up.

I agree. I was thinking of reintroducing the boys after Miki’s quite minor cut, but after this I don’t even dare to try I just need to work out how in the world to make it all work now

Don't panic and think things through. If necessary speak with Milhaven Guinea Pig Rescue to help you with a solution.

 

[danuutka]

Don't panic and think things through. If necessary speak with Milhaven Guinea Pig Rescue to help you with a solution.

I will definitely consider contacting Milhaven. I think I’m just a bit freaked out and overwhelmed right now, given that it was my first time experiencing a real boar fight.

The only places where we can put guinea pigs is mine or my sisters bedroom (my parents sleep in the living room - we have a small house). My room can only fit one cage (plus space for free roaming), and my sisters room is bigger so there is more to work with.

As you know we have Nelli and Lulu who live happily and peacefully in my sisters room, and Ozzie and Miki lived in mine. For the time being, Ozzie has stayed in my room whilst we have set up a make shift cage for Miki in my sisters room (completely opposite end of the room from the girls). Now I’m just trying to navigate how to make this all work to keep them happiest.