Pig bit during bonding session

PingandChipy

PingandChipy

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone,

I have 2 male guinea pigs, Charles 6 months old and Claude 11 months old. I originally got Charles and then adopted Claude about a month ago. They've been living side by side with no issues. In fact, they seemed very happy to have each to talk to. We build a large hutch and I introduced them yesterday.

Unfortunately, after about 20 min a huge fight broke out and Charles was bit on his cheek. So I separated them immediately. The bite did draw blood and his cheek looks swollen. This all happened yesterday.

What should I look for in case it becomes infected? I'm really worried about an abcess forming.

Thank you :)
 
Hi. Sorry to hear your boys don’t seem to get on. Unfortunately living side by side doesn’t give an indication of whether they’d get on together. In addition to that, they’re in their teenage months - this can be a difficult time to bond Male piggies. Did you introduce on neutral ground?

As for the wound, perhaps clean for now. I’d also think about going to the vet if his cheek looks swollen. I’ll tag @Wiebke @Piggies&buns to help you more with it.
 
PingandChipy said:
Hi everyone,

I have 2 male guinea pigs, Charles 6 months old and Claude 11 months old. I originally got Charles and then adopted Claude about a month ago. They've been living side by side with no issues. In fact, they seemed very happy to have each to talk to. We build a large hutch and I introduced them yesterday.

Unfortunately, after about 20 min a huge fight broke out and Charles was bit on his cheek. So I separated them immediately. The bite did draw blood and his cheek looks swollen. This all happened yesterday.

What should I look for in case it becomes infected? I'm really worried about an abcess forming.

Thank you :)
Click to expand...

Hi

I am very sorry that things have gone haywire.

Please see a vet as soon as you can. This sounds like a serious deep bite and may need an antibiotic in order to prevent an abscess. Abscesses won't form immediately; but any new swelling/hard lump in about 1-2 weeks is most likely going to be an abscess, which will need lancing and draining.

Bonding two teenage boars is about as difficult as they get; but even more so when one or both of them are right in one of the worst phases (6 months is the all time testosterone high and the most tricky age for bonding boars/pair fall-outs; ask any rescue!)
While they may get on well and may want to be together, acceptance is only the first stage of the complex bonding process. Many bonds fail over establishing/enforcing leadership. Unfortunately, fights can blow up very quickly if the wrong kind of signals are being exchanged or if one of the boys is pushing things too far.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
 
I feel so lucky that I adopted my two guys at the same time and they were the exact same age! They might even be brothers I’m not sure. However, they have little scraps but thank the Lord nothing major that results in any serious injuries or bleeding of any kind. I feel I would be so devastated if they were fighting and hurting each other like that. Can’t you put two cages side-by-side so that they’re right near each other but not in the same space? Does that help them get used to each other?
 
ALC said:
I feel so lucky that I adopted my two guys at the same time and they were the exact same age! They might even be brothers I’m not sure. However, they have little scraps but thank the Lord nothing major that results in any serious injuries or bleeding of any kind. I feel I would be so devastated if they were fighting and hurting each other like that. Can’t you put two cages side-by-side so that they’re right near each other but not in the same space? Does that help them get used to each other?
Click to expand...
No amount of putting them next to each other will help them get on if they don’t like each other. Being related or the same age doesn’t make a difference. It’s all about character matching and nothing else.
 
Hi everyone, thank you for all the replies. I'm going to call the Vet today and get an appointment to check Charles face. He seems fine otherwise, eating and being his usual self, but I don't want him to get an abcess.

I won't be putting them together again as they are not compatible. And right now they are having time away from each other because even when they are side by side they are upset.

The cage was completly neutral ground as my husband had just built it and I made sure not to put anything inside from their previous cages. So yes everything was new and neutral. I think they are both too dominant.

Luckily, I have a nice big hutch for Claude and Charles is staying in the new one. So they are happy apart now. In time I will put them side by side but right now they are too upset. :no:
 
I'm dropping Charles off today at 9am to get his cheek checked and probably some antibiotics. I will update when I bring him home. The Vet is busy but they said they will fit him in between appointments.
 
I hope things are quickly sorted with Charles at the vet - well done for getting him an appointment so soon.
And although they are riled up now, after some time apart they may enjoy interacting through the bars again - I have a female who has fallen out with multiple pigs but she has calmed down and will now chat through the bars.
 
Hi just an update. :)

The Vet said the wound seems to be healing fine but has started him on Baytril Antibiotics just in case. When Charles was at the Vets (dropped him off and 9 am and couldn't pick him up until 5pm) Claude hid the whole time. But then as soon as Charles was back in his hutch, Claude started wheeking and they were talking and Claude was all happy again and out eating amd watching Charles.

So even though they fought I can tell it is better they are not alone even if they can't live together. Funny little guys. Teehee
 
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