Hello. One of my guinea pigs had surgery yesterday. She had to have a toe amputated (vet said it was either an injury or a tumor). She's recovering nicely so far, but when we attempted to put her back in the cage, her cagemate became aggressive and actually tried to nip at the injured foot. We have them in separate cages near one another now, but I am starting worry that they may not be able to cohabitate again. There have always been scuffles, and the injured guinea pig is the submissive one. Has anyone experieced anything like this? Thank you so much for your help and advcie. The piggies are both 5 years old and we have had them for 3 1/2 years.
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Reintroducing female guinea pigs after surgery?
- Thread starter dogwood
- Start date
Hi
A medical separation can in some cases lead to a permanent split; even in sisters that have been together since birth.
Since an immediate return has failed, I would keep them separated until the toe has healed and then give it another attempt with a formal reintroduction on neutral ground. Brace yourself that they may both decide that they are happier to have their own territory with interaction through the bars. Once sows decide that another piggy is no longer part of the group, you have had it.
While not perseonality matched teenage boars are well known for their issues, older sows can be every bit as tricky, or even trickier.
Here is more information:
Bonds In Trouble
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Thank you so much for your feedback and advice. I'm hoping we can reintroduce them, but will brace for the possibility that they may have to be neighbors instead of cagemates. We go back to the vet on Wednesday, so we will also get some feedback from her on how to know when the foot is healed enough to attempt another reintroduction. Thank you again.
Claire W
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Several years ago I had a piggy, Eliza who I had to separate from her cage mates for several weeks following an eye removal surgery that got infected. I reintroduced them all in neutral territory (in this case, the downstairs bathroom). Thankfully, she was welcomed back in to the group.
I hope that yours can be reintroduced and live together again
I hope that yours can be reintroduced and live together again
Thank you! That's a good idea! We have a large bathroom that neither piggie has been in before. That might be a good spot for a reintroduction when the time is right. I definitley need to read up on piggie introductions. We got them as an already bonded pair a few years ago.