Boar bullying

[jess_2745]

One of my mums friends has three boars, all brothers. She's never had guinea pigs before but she's owned them for quite a few months.

We went over today and i noticed one has hair loss and scabs on the back end and a cut under it's front right leg.

I thought mites before i saw the cut but none of the other two have any signs of mites and the hair looks like it's been barbered, not fallen out. The poor thing looks really depressed and tired, so i said maybe it was being bullied.

I advised her to make them have as much space as possible, 1 of everything, and more hidey holes and if that doesn't work then seperate them. As i've only recently got into boars, i wanted to check if this was right, and whether anyone has any other advice. I am quite worried about the poor chap.

 

[charlie23]

It could possibly be mites not all of them would show as mites tend to start causing problems on run down pigs more than fit and healthy ones! If she could watch them she would soon find out if it was bullying cos they would still do it infornt of her. I would say get them treated for mites and keep an eye on there behaviour what you have suggested above with one of everything and plenty of sp[ace is right!

 

[jess_2745]

The thing is, she doesn't hardly handle them. Were for the kids but they got bored. She does do a great job with feeding and cleaning but just doesn't spend much time with them so she wouldn't see if they are fighting.

I'll tell her to treat for mites aswell. I might see if she will let me have a good look at them. She says they run round too much to catch but i think i should be able to catch them as i'm used to it (don't want that to come across big headed).

 

[charlie23]

No doesnt sound big headeed if you pick up your own piggies everyday its much easier to pick up others! Its a shame she isnt handling much as piggies love cuddles! Yeah i would definatly treat for mites i also had another which was fleas as you said the hair looked barbered as they would bite the fur whilst trying to scratch. Easiest way to check for fleas is a white piece of paper brush off the fur onto the paper and then add a few drops of water if it turns red its likely to have fleas as there poo is blood!

 

[jess_2745]

Right, i will definately get her onto it. She doesn't mind me interfering lol because she's never had piggies before. I don't how she didn't see it from when she cleans them out. It's quite obvious. I just thought it could've been bullying from the cut under his front leg. I suppose it could be either/both really. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Goldie]

When my Shaun was fighting with Stuart, Stuart had bites on his upper back. Nowhere else. These were not noticeable to me at first as Stuart is long-haired until an abscess appeared.

If it is the pig's back end and leg, then I would consider mites which can occur when a pig is unwell or perhaps bullied.

Post some photos if you can so folks can have a look.

 

[jess_2745]

I will if i can. Mum is asking if she would like me to take a look at them and give her some advice, without it coming across that i'm interfering! I just can't leave it as i don't want them to suffer.