Help! Reintroducing After Separation Due To Surgery

[Gemma Wadd 11]

Hi we haven't had our guinea pigs long and unfortunately Dale has had to have an operation on his eye. He had it done on Wednesday and we were advised to keep him away from him brother for a few days inside so we can keep an eye on him. He had ingrowing eyelashes and an abscess which we think led to him scratching and tearing his eye lid. That is all mended now but I am worried about putting him back with his brother. Last night we got them together and their behaviour was quite strange. They were ok to start with then then squeaking started and got louder and louder til it seemed as if they were both shaking. They were quite very jumpy and it appeared as if Chip was trying to show his dominance. Tonight we tried again and there was a lot of bum sniffing, chasing, yawning going on as well as the loud squeezing. I'm so worried that they won't be able to go back together they were so lovely together before the op and would squeek if one was taken out of the hutch for any reason without the other. Any advice would be much appreciated

 

[xxaimeexx]

Glad his eye is on the mend! Hmm I'm not sure about boars as I have no experience with them and someone with more experience will reply soon. With sows I would recommend just trying the bonding process again and soon enough they should work out their dominance troubles. Good luck!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! I am very sorry for your problems.
Here are our tips and recommendations for re-introductions, which you need to start on neutral ground etc. and basically treat as a new intro. As your boy is recovering, leave out the buddy bath and gently wipe both boys down with the same rag, so their scents intermingle.
Please be aware that some guinea pigs won't get back together after an illness; there is always that risk with eiher gender. I wish you the best of luck!
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/introducing-and-re-introducing-guinea-pigs.38562/