Having a problem with Trixie

Chaz

Chaz

Junior Guinea Pig
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I just need some advice on what to do. I can't go to the vet until monday night really.
My girl Trixie just keeps biting. She's 2 years old, 3 in June. She lives with 3 other girls and I have had her since she was 2 months old.
I don't know if it's an aging thing, whether she has just gotten more annoyed lately, or what, but she will latch hold of my chin or nose and just pull. It really hurts. And my thumb too.
I've checked for hair loss and lice. She's not scratching, or squelling in pain, it's just the biting. I've checked the hutch, the cats aren't around when she does it. I've checked the others. Nothing.
I looked it up and the internet said too much handling will annoy her, but I've owned GP's for like 12 years and no-one has done this before. The only one who got close to what Trixie was doing only even latched on to my T-shirt. She never bit my face or hands.
Honestly, I don't know what's up with her. Maybe she's picked up on my anxiety when holding her. I am worried about her, but what is the vet realistically going to say?
No hair loss, no scratching, no pain, no blood, or any signs of illness. A perfectly healthy biting guinea pig.
And like I say, can't go to the vets until Monday.
 
Siikibam said:
I’m not sure what could be the cause. Perhaps try not holding her if she’s biting you each time. I would book her in for a check to rule anything medical out.
" Biting" And What You Can Do (Biting, Tweaking, Nibbling and Nipping)
Click to expand...
Well, I did think of that, so I left her for a few days.
The voice at the back of my head tells me to take her to the vet because out of my first ever three girls, one got anorexia and the other had cysts on her ovaries and I didn't pick it up until it was too late. 9 years later I still feel guilty.
 
I've recently acquired bitey Zara along with gentle Louise - both are 3. Zara is a healthy but particularly assertive guinea-pig and this is just how she lets me know what she likes or doesn't. She doesn't mess about - but she also doesn't rip the flesh or draw blood and with those teeth it would be easy enough to do. She doesn't bite her friend but her friend isn't the one cleaning her out or checking her over! I've had feisty pigs before but never one that bites so easily. We're working on it.

If Trixie's going for your nose or chin I'm assuming you've got her quite near to your face and it looks like she's objecting to that! If it's a sudden change in behaviour then yes, I'd be booking her in for a check up... she's young, but there might be something like a back problem or the beginnings of arthritis which can cause discomfort when being handled etc. that might be what she's trying to tell you. Or she might think she's about to be eaten - who knows? Once you've ruled out health issues you might just have to 'welcome' her attempts at communication and she'll let you know what she finds acceptable behaviour! 😉
 
Please try and let go of the guilt for what happened many years ago. Vet care for guinea pigs has advanced a lot in that time. The other thing is that they hide their illnesses too well, sometimes to the last minute. Get her seen by the vet to rule anything out. Then you can work from there.
 
Could you use a cosy to pick her up and perhaps keep her from your face. Garden gloves might help when you do regular check ups and nail trims too
 
Free Ranger said:
I've recently acquired bitey Zara along with gentle Louise - both are 3. Zara is a healthy but particularly assertive guinea-pig and this is just how she lets me know what she likes or doesn't. She doesn't mess about - but she also doesn't rip the flesh or draw blood and with those teeth it would be easy enough to do. She doesn't bite her friend but her friend isn't the one cleaning her out or checking her over! I've had feisty pigs before but never one that bites so easily. We're working on it.

If Trixie's going for your nose or chin I'm assuming you've got her quite near to your face and it looks like she's objecting to that! If it's a sudden change in behaviour then yes, I'd be booking her in for a check up... she's young, but there might be something like a back problem or the beginnings of arthritis which can cause discomfort when being handled etc. that might be what she's trying to tell you. Or she might think she's about to be eaten - who knows? Once you've ruled out health issues you might just have to 'welcome' her attempts at communication and she'll let you know what she finds acceptable behaviour! 😉
Click to expand...
I did think about arthritis because she was okay when I had her flat on my lap, but I put her on my chest to move and she started biting again.
 
I took her to the vets. Nothing wrong.
 
Glad to hear there's nothing wrong. I think it may be she may not like being held anymore. Otherwise I can't think of anything...
 
I'm just going to give her the pain relief and hope she sorts herself out.
 
I gave her the pain relief and today she hardly bit at all. Back to my baby Trixie again.
 
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