Rivervixen’s piggies

Little Ones said:
Yes, it’s the one at killamarsh! They’re quite expensive, and they are only exotics rather than Guinea pig specialists but they’re where I go for first opinions with the piggies. Lara used to be quite good but I believe she’s since moved. I do like Mauro there too and out of all the vets there, he’s the one I try to get an appointment with. I don’t reckon much to their lead exotic vet, I’ve seen him a few times and felt I’ve known more about piggies than he does
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I looked on their site before ringing them the first time and Lara doesn’t seem to be there anymore. I felt like a pain when I specifically asked for Mauro and the receptionist said they’re all equally trained and stuff, for something like this I was for sure only having it done with the person recommended! I found them to be quite expensive too but I’m also feeling really looked after with them and they’ve gone above and beyond for my two boys :) my two love floor time so I think one after the other with the piggie blanket and boarly smells will be great for them. Definitely right there with kind of feeling like I’ve failed them, but also seeing that they’re doing much better now is very reassuring… just hoping today goes well! Got rioted out of bed at the regular time just now and they both seem very happy bless them so it’s already looking up :)
 
Rivervixen said:
I never thought to get a second carrier to be honest, I was saying to my OH that I'd prepared for literally everything but this! I think when you see them getting along you just assume or hope (at least I did) that it'll remain that way and that you're out of the woods with that potential complication. You're right with the human feelings for sure. I think I've tried for way too long thinking because they don't always scream at each other maybe it'd stop.. and also that they hadn't had a full on fight so maybe there was hope but there just really isn't. Sprout and digby sound like they were a lovely pair of piggies once they had the divider, really hoping my boys can get to this stage too. My two did have a lovely boar bond for 4 and a halfish years (can't remember just how long), it is so lovely to see when it works out lovely like that, I'm surprised they made it through their teenage years instead of their older boar years! They have a 2x6 so that's 2x3 each as well so it should be enough.. for floor time did you just do that for each piggie seperately then? they used to tolerate floor time together and even do the piggie bum sniffing train thing they do but even floor time turned into squabbling and screaming. I feel like I'm taking this way harder than I should be, I think I'm feeling like its my fault because I tried for so long to fix it. Thank you! I'm really glad I got the recommendation for Ark from you, they even came home with an aftercare plan in full detail with little certificates that they'd been brave. I put them on the fridge lol :)
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Its not your fault. Please don’t blame yourself.

My two youngsters, Wilbur and Hugo, fell out six or so weeks ago.…full on fight. They now live side by side happily antagonising each other through the bars! There was a lot of territory marking behaviours upon initial separation but it has settled down somewhat now (they still rumble at each other).

Floor time for fallen out piggies needs to be separate. For Wilbur and a Hugo, their cages are side by side in an L shape, so the square area in front of the two cages is their playspace and they can remain side by side at all times (Dexter and Popcorn live in the top half of the hutch).

If they are both going to the vet at the same time, then separate carriers would be safest. You may find if you were to use one carrier for them now they’re separated, being scared means they would seek comfort from each other but the risk of them coming to blows in a confined space such as a carrier would be a big risk to take.
With Dexter and Popcorn still being a bonded pair if one needs the vet, they both go together. With Wilbur and Hugo being separated now, if one needs the vet I will probably take just that one.
 
Betsy said:
Sadly that is often the case. I refuse to see one particular vet since he gave Meg a clean bill of health on the Monday and on the Friday I took her in to be PTS.
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Exact same thing happened to me with this vet twice. One of the times, I took Little in at about 4pm and he said he was completely fine even though clearly he was not, ended up having to take him back to the out of hours at around 9pm to be PTS. He also gave him buprenorphine without telling me until afterwards - something which I always refuse! The other time, it was a few days apart like in your case. Both times I walked out of the appointment knowing I’d have to come back and see someone else. It’s extremely disappointing and makes you lose a lot of trust in any vet who isn’t Simon or Kim
 
Ahh tried to edit that and I’m one minute too late. She came back out and said they want to see him again monday because it looks like he’s pulled a few of the stitches loose and it’s a little swollen. @Little Ones I asked about Lara and apparently she moved back to Australia! She’ll be fixing kangaroos or something now lol :)
 
Piggies&buns said:
Its not your fault. Please don’t blame yourself.

My two youngsters, Wilbur and Hugo, fell out six or so weeks ago.…full on fight. They now live side by side happily antagonising each other through the bars! There was a lot of territory marking behaviours upon initial separation but it has settled down somewhat now (they still rumble at each other).

Floor time for fallen out piggies needs to be separate. For Wilbur and a Hugo, their cages are side by side in an L shape, so the square area in front of the two cages is their playspace and they can remain side by side at all times (Dexter and Popcorn live in the top half of the hutch).

If they are both going to the vet at the same time, then separate carriers would be safest. You may find if you were to use one carrier for them now they’re separated, being scared means they would seek comfort from each other but the risk of them coming to blows in a confined space such as a carrier would be a big risk to take.
With Dexter and Popcorn still being a bonded pair if one needs the vet, they both go together. With Wilbur and Hugo being separated now, if one needs the vet I will probably take just that one.
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Sorry I thought I had replied to you! My brain just isn’t on today. I’m really sorry to hear about wilbur and Hugo, that must have been so stressful for you. Happily antagonising each other through the bars seems like my two as well! They’ve still been biting at the divider and rumbling as well but overall they seem a lot better and happier for having their own space knowing it’s theirs. Wish I had room for an L space, that seems like a lovely set up for them :)
 
Little Ones said:
Exact same thing happened to me with this vet twice. One of the times, I took Little in at about 4pm and he said he was completely fine even though clearly he was not, ended up having to take him back to the out of hours at around 9pm to be PTS. He also gave him buprenorphine without telling me until afterwards - something which I always refuse! The other time, it was a few days apart like in your case. Both times I walked out of the appointment knowing I’d have to come back and see someone else. It’s extremely disappointing and makes you lose a lot of trust in any vet who isn’t Simon or Kim
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Rivervixen said:
Ahh tried to edit that and I’m one minute too late. She came back out and said they want to see him again monday because it looks like he’s pulled a few of the stitches loose and it’s a little swollen. @Little Ones I asked about Lara and apparently she moved back to Australia! She’ll be fixing kangaroos or something now lol :)
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Oh the little monkey, try not to worry your boys sound like they are in good hands. I’m sure he’ll be fine
 
Rivervixen said:
Sorry I thought I had replied to you! My brain just isn’t on today. I’m really sorry to hear about wilbur and Hugo, that must have been so stressful for you. Happily antagonising each other through the bars seems like my two as well! They’ve still been biting at the divider and rumbling as well but overall they seem a lot better and happier for having their own space knowing it’s theirs. Wish I had room for an L space, that seems like a lovely set up for them :)
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I was prepared for the risk - they were 9 weeks old when I took them on so knew there was a chance the teens could be a strain on them. I always had that separation plan in mind just in case but it was a bit of a pain to have to implement it. They live in my shed so space is tight, I made it work and knew I could but it wasn’t until I put the plan in place that I realised it wasn’t working and had to come up with something else.

It is a shame when a bond breaks down and even more of a shock when it happens at the age your boys are but I’m glad your boys are happier now.

Wishing them both well for their recoveries.
 
I'm sorry your boys have fallen out,i hope the wounds heal soon.cleaning the area with salt water if the area looks sore.if you have any concerns take them back to the specific exotic vet.
 
I definitely think that when they are ill or feeling vulnerable they are spikier with each other. I remember when Bill had his operation for a mammary tumour, Ted really tried to ring Bill’s bells and was showing off a bit too much. Although neither boys were dominant I think Bill had the upper hand and soon put Ted in his place once he was fit again, but it was all very subtle. So your two both feeling vulnerable may have tipped the balance from being edgy to agressive
 
Rivervixen said:
Ahh tried to edit that and I’m one minute too late. She came back out and said they want to see him again monday because it looks like he’s pulled a few of the stitches loose and it’s a little swollen. @Little Ones I asked about Lara and apparently she moved back to Australia! She’ll be fixing kangaroos or something now lol :)
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Glad both boys are okay, annoying that you’ve to travel back on Monday but at least they’re happy with him overall! I hope they managed well in one single carrier too
It’s a shame that Lara has gone, it’s hard to find vets that are decent with piggies!
 
It's been a couple days, both me and my OH have ended up with the flu so that's brilliant on top of everything else. My boys are doing wonderfully and it's constant now with them being seperated. I saw this on Ozzy's nipple and wonder if it's just his markings? I've never looked under Ozzy before until he's had this done so it may well just be. It's black but the picture makes it look reddish, OH's phone isn't the best at taking pics and I didn't have mine to hand

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Ahh thank you :) I just wish it could have waited a few days! all focus has been on my two little fluffybums this past week
 
Rivervixen said:
It's been a couple days, both me and my OH have ended up with the flu so that's brilliant on top of everything else. My boys are doing wonderfully and it's constant now with them being seperated. I saw this on Ozzy's nipple and wonder if it's just his markings? I've never looked under Ozzy before until he's had this done so it may well just be. It's black but the picture makes it look reddish, OH's phone isn't the best at taking pics and I didn't have mine to hand

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Strange, it’s probably nothing but worth mentioning at the appointment on Monday (if you’ve recovered in time to make it)
Hope you start to feel better soon! :)
 
Little Ones said:
Strange, it’s probably nothing but worth mentioning at the appointment on Monday (if you’ve recovered in time to make it)
Hope you start to feel better soon! :)
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Well ended up in A&E so I’m going to have to move the appointment, I’ve gone from manageable to nothing stays down! Just isn’t my week, thank you ❤️
 
Sending loads of healing vibes, it’s been a stressful week all in all, I would just mention his nipple marking to your vet, like you say it’s probably just his markings
 
The severe pain I was having was because I’ve pulled muscles in my back and tummy from vomiting, at least it’ll heal and it’s nothing as bad as what it feels like. Some good news though! My boys are healing fine and they’re so happy, tomorrow is the last day of metacam, not sure how to tell this to Bruno as he’s what you guys call a metacam junkie :D He happily drinks it down then grabs the syringe looking for more afterwards bless him, it’s so cute to watch
 
Rivervixen said:
The severe pain I was having was because I’ve pulled muscles in my back and tummy from vomiting, at least it’ll heal and it’s nothing as bad as what it feels like. Some good news though! My boys are healing fine and they’re so happy, tomorrow is the last day of metacam, not sure how to tell this to Bruno as he’s what you guys call a metacam junkie :D He happily drinks it down then grabs the syringe looking for more afterwards bless him, it’s so cute to watch
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Glad they are doing so well, get better soon x
 
Thank you everyone, still feeling really rough but I can’t help but be so happy as well. Since separating them with the divider I’ve noticed such a change in them both, just cleaned their poops out for the day and they’re both popcorning and bouncing around like little kangaroos. Bruno isn’t usually a piggie to popcorn much and hes doing a load of them now. Happy days :luv:
 
I feel bad every time I post here lately, feel like I'm being so needy.. really sorry if I am! I've noticed bruno honking now and again, can he hold on til monday to be seen for this if it isn't more than once every other day or so? I had to move the appointment for the vet to monday for the second post op check because there's just no way I can make it there tomorrow or any time this week with this flu :( if he can't hold on I will pay someone to take him to a local vet, just don't want to spread this as it's so nasty to have
 
Sorry you’re still feeling rotten.
It’s ok to have a grump here - we all need a safe place when we’re feeling rough.

I can’t answer the Bruno question but hope that he’s ok and it’s just dust or he’s eating too fast.
 
Merab's Slave said:
Sorry you’re still feeling rotten.
It’s ok to have a grump here - we all need a safe place when we’re feeling rough.

I can’t answer the Bruno question but hope that he’s ok and it’s just dust or he’s eating too fast.
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Ahhh thank you! it's just been one thing after another and I feel bad constantly asking for reassurance :( very glad people on the forum are understanding
 
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