Introducing 2 Males

[Kali]

Hi, I need some advice. I've had guinea pigs growing up but last november we brought home a male calvie. Tonight we attempted to introduce our 1 year old to a 3 mo. Calvie. We put them in a new space, free of scent, had veggies for them and things were starting off okay. The older one, Poe was walking around in circles, making that rumbling or purring sound seeming to welcome newcomer Seamus. However Poe began to mount Seamus( which I know is normal) from the front. Seamus was squealing and after the fifth time, when Poe jumped off of his head, we discovered that Poe was bleeding from his sac where Seamus had bitten him once. I took Poe out and looked at the wound which was very very tiny. Poe will not quit squeaking and Seamus is acting very nervous now. The two are fine, but I wonder if this is something I should worry about? Would it be a bad idea to quarantine them for a while longer and try again? I just wonder if Seamus is too tiny yet, although I worry about him getting bigger and both of them doing some real damage to each other. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Wiebke]

Please give them time to cool down, at least a day. Make sure that Seamus has got a hidey with two exits on opposite sides that Poe can't get into and that the meeting is on neutral ground.

One of the boars becoming a bit carried away when meeting a new friend is not unusual. The success of the bonding depends on whether and for how long the other boy will put up with it. Make sure that you have a plan B in case the bonding is not working out.

Also keep a very close eye on the bite area, in case it gets infected or there is an abscess (in either case you need to see a vet). Disinfect it with hibiscrub or saline solution, which you make by stirring 1 teaspoon of salt into 1 pint of boiled, cooled water.

Here are more bonding tips:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-introducing-and-re-introducing-guinea-pigs.38562/
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/dominance-behaviours-in-guinea-pigs.28949/
This thread may help you to judge whether your bonding is going to succeed or when to best separate. https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boar-dating-service-wales.59233/

With members from all over the world, we are extremely grateful if you added at least the country in which your frozen lake is in, as our advice can vary enormously depending on where you are located, like different climates, medications, brand and veg names as well as rescue or vet access/knowledge etc.