Carnage in the Sow hutch

[Cavy2009]

I have two sows, who I took in because they were mistreated. last night I went to feed them and there was blood everywhere?! I checked both sows and there were no obvious signs of blood on their bodies from cuts and scratches etc. Yet in their little pigloo there was blood splattered up the sides. To me it looked like they had been 'arguing' and been shooting hot urine at each other..

The only plausible explanation I can think is that they're on heat. But I've had sows before and they've never done this...

 

[piggyfan]

Are you sure it may not have been blood in the urine? If they have argued and drawn blood then they need to be separated. I am sorry to hear this.

 

[Cavy2009]

I can't find any signs of blood being drawn. That's the problem. Nothing. It's baffling because when I go in, they tend to run to each other .

 

[Toffeewoffee]

I think you need to do a wee test, sit them in a white washing up bowl and feed them until they pee and see if they are peeing blood.

The only other thing i can think is, have you given them strawberries or anything that colour to eat that has marked things in the cage?

x

 

[Claire W]

I would certainly have them checked for a UTI. My Eliza had a stubborn UTI a couple of years ago. I always new when she had been 'spraying' etc as there was blood splattered up the sides of the little hides etc.

Blood doesn't always have to be visible for it to be present either.

The best thing to do is put each of your girls in to a plastic carrier and wait for them to pee, suck the pee up in to a clean syringe and pop in to the fridge before taking to the vets for testing. If blood is visible in one of the girls samples, just take that one. If no blood is visible in either of the girls samples, take both. It is better to be on the safe side.

Guinea pigs do not bleed when on heat.

Here is some more information regarding UTI http://www.guinealynx.info/uti.html

I am not saying that one (or both) of your girls have a UTI but it is better to rule it out if you have spotted blood like this. If the girls had drew blood from arguing, you would see the signs.

Good luck xx

 

[Cavy2009]

Thank you.