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Questions and concerns

C

Cookiesncream

New Born Pup
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Hello! Newbie to the forum :)

I recently got a pair of pigs i believe to be male and female based on my very best and million-douple checking.

For the male: how can I clean his lower area? With my last piggies I had females so this is new to me. Also any other tips and info!

For the female: her area looks a bit swollen, I noticed while trimming her nails. Her behavior has been a bit off the last few days but they are new to us as well. Photo here.

We keep them separate as much as possible but they are a deeply bonded pair from birth as we were told. They’re 10 months and were surrendered as they were an accidental litter. This is the info I was given per where they were surrendered to. I’m unsure if they’re just settling in or if they’re upset at being separated more often. The cage is a large cage with a playpen attached, we keep the door open and they separate themselves as needed through the day and during the night we close the door. There’s pretty minimal aggression and they’re under constant surveillance, plus I’m home to intervene. I’ve never had both genders before, especially this close of a bond. How can I keep the peace without breaking the bond? Any and all advice is appreciated! This last section isn’t really illness but I figured I’d keep it one post.
 
Welcome to the forum

If they were surrendered to a reputable place, did they confirm their sexes at all?

If they are an unneutered mixed sex pair then they must be separately fully.
An unneutered boar will have visible testicles.

You cannot allow an unneutered pair any time together at all, supervised or not. A mating will take just seconds and you can’t stop it (you physically will not be able to remove him from her due to the penis prongs, plus you just wouldn’t have time).
It doesn’t matter how well bonded they are.
If you want them to share a cage, then you should have the male neutered (if he isn’t already).
If have been together then the sow is likely pregnant (and possibly already has multiple litters?)

Most males will keep themselves clean - I have three boys and have never had to clean any of them (and one of them is 6 years old) but I do check them regularly.

Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

It would be best to have any concerns about the sow checked by a vet

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...-for-pregnancy-birth-mother-baby-care.191238/
 
If they are a male and female I'm afraid you will have to separate them NOW and and put the female on pregnancy watch.
The male could be neutered and then they can be reunited - but only after 6 weeks post neuter as he will still be fertile.
Where did you get them from? They should not have sold you a male and a female together 😕
 
Welcome to the forum.
I hope you will find it helpful and fun.
We do like photos to drool over.

The only one of my piggies I ever had to clean was Priscilla who had long fur and could get a bit mucky around her bum.
 
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