Dominence issue?

[Piggienewbie]

Hello,
When I first acquired Hattie, she was very quiet, still is, very timid, but had been handled regularly. I later found out she had a little rough time last winter, not sure of the full details, but I am not best pleased.

I brought her inside in November, and introduced Margo at that point too. Neutral ground, baby in the warm etc.

Margo the little one, who was very energetic compared to Hattie, nips and screams when I try to brush her, so I found it very difficult to settle with her to start. But I have persevered.

Some barbaring took place at the beginning, I consulted the vet as I was concerned about mites, but this appears to have stopped now.

Recently they have begun to more frequently have chin butts and nose swipes. No blood, but Margo does seem to start it, but sometimes I think Hattie does try to get up in her "grill". She also likes to stick her nose near Hatties bottom or leg, which gets a little shriek.

They are always cuddled up together when I see them in their "house" and Margo often hides behind Hattie.

Should I be concerned over this behaviour. THere is very little rumble noises and this is often when I have disturbed them, and no hip swaying.

When I separate them to give Hattie some time out, or just have some lap time ( Hattie is a tummy wetter), Margo wheeks and wheeks, sometimes with ear piercing pitch.

Are they just acting like guinea pigs do, or should I be considering a split if this doesn't improve?

Hattie is almost 2 and Margo is approx. 5 months old.

Thank you in advance

Hannah

 

[Wiebke]

Don't worry, it sounds normal! Little Margo has obviously issues with being on her own and sounds like she's had some traumatic experiences before coming to you. It should die down eventually in the degree that Margo is starting to settle in and feel safe (one of my first piggies used to scream the house down for about the first three months). What you are noticing is some dominance behaviour now that Margo is starting to come out of her shell a bit with Hattie. she's on the way; just be very patient and give her time!
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38561

Have you had Hattie checked for urinary tract infection? It can be a chronic off/on problem, especially if it hasn't been treated properly in the past (interstitial cystitis).
http://www.guinealynx.info/uti.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/urine_scald.html

 

[Piggienewbie]

Have you had Hattie checked for urinary tract infection? It can be a chronic off/on problem, especially if it hasn't been treated properly in the past (interstitial cystitis).
http://www.guinealynx.info/uti.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/urine_scald.html[/QUOTE]

Could this be the reason she can't hold on for more than 20 mins? I have had her checked over by the vet since I got her, when I was concerned about her thinning hair just before xmas. ( barbaring)

Sorry was the the tummy wetter (meaning on my tummy :red) comment that made you think this, or just a the whole situation, (sorry not very good at making connections....)

edit: she is in tip tip condition underneath. I just sperate them for laptime when I am alone, incase she has two wee's in 5 mins as she did a few weeks ago....

 

[Wiebke]

Hairloss, especially at the sides, can be due to hormonal problems, but there are other reasons, too. Guinea Lynx have a good list: http://www.guinealynx.info/hairloss.html

And sorry, I though that "tummy wetter" meant that Hattie was sitting in her own pee, which for a piggy of her age is usually a sign of illness.!

 

[Piggienewbie]

Hairloss, especially at the sides, can be due to hormonal problems, but there are other reasons, too. Guinea Lynx have a good list: http://www.guinealynx.info/hairloss.html

And sorry, I though that "tummy wetter" meant that Hattie was sitting in her own pee, which for a piggy of her age is usually a sign of illness.!

The vet felt it was definitely barbaring as the lovely long section she used to have on the top from between her ears has been nibbled down. I took her in because I was concerned about it being either a skin or internal issue, mainly cysts because of the location. However we both agreed that the hair loss is more thinning, behind the bald spots on the rib cage where the long areas would have been trimmed.

I to used that page to consider every one of those illnesses and that was before I took her. She is of a consistant mid 840 grams weight, poops as they should be, wee not gritty, teeth and eating fine.

Sorry about the confusion with the tummy wetting, she has a habit of weeing right on my stomach, without notice now. She used to wheek for a bit before hand, now she just does it as she pleases

 

[Wiebke]

The vet felt it was definitely barbaring as the lovely long section she used to have on the top from between her ears has been nibbled down. I took her in because I was concerned about it being either a skin or internal issue, mainly cysts because of the location. However we both agreed that the hair loss is more thinning, behind the bald spots on the rib cage where the long areas would have been trimmed.

I to used that page to consider every one of those illnesses and that was before I took her. She is of a consistant mid 840 grams weight, poops as they should be, wee not gritty, teeth and eating fine.

Sorry about the confusion with the tummy wetting, she has a habit of weeing right on my stomach, without notice now. She used to wheek for a bit before hand, now she just does it as she pleases

Thanks for clearing that up! It is always better to double check, especially with an new member.

How much is Hattie drinking? Her frequent peeing may be connected with a high consumption of water. We generally recommend to have any piggy checked that drinks more that 300ml in a day.

 

[Piggienewbie]

How much is Hattie drinking? Her frequent peeing may be connected with a high consumption of water. We generally recommend to have any piggy checked that drinks more that 300ml in a day.[/QUOTE]

Definitely not more than that, they have a 300ml bottle, which they need refreshing each day which doesn't empty fully at all.

Thank you for being so supportive. It is very much appreciated.