Screaming when being handled

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JayceeStar

JayceeStar

Adult Guinea Pig
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One of my young foster boars, Jasper, constantly screams hwnehe is being handled, or even when he is just sat down and you are stroking him, he screams.
He is being treated for fungal but it is incredibly mild so I don't think it is that he's in pain. He was born here with me and so I know his history and he has never neen hurt by a human and shouldn't have any bad memories associated with touch. Admittedly he doesn't get handled much and I accept that that may be part of the problem. However is brother Bumble is fine, and he never screams.
Does anybody know why this is? It upsets me so much when he is contsntly screaming :(
 
are you absolutely sure he's not in pain. I've only known one of my piggies to squeal from pain (injections, catching the quick when clipping nails) or through fear of pain (Peter everytime you clip a nail)
 
Almost positive. Just realised he is only screaming when I stroke him downwards (the way you would normally stroke him) Stroke him from bum to head and he's silent. He's also fine with having his head tickled.
I'm really beginning to wonder if it's just fear, though he has no reason to be afraid.
 
Is the screaming a very new behaviour?

I would have him checked for mites (even though they don't show, they might cause painful skin) or another source of pain or major irritation.
 
Not particularly new, he was like it a few weeks ago too, and I checked him over thoroughly and all was fine, but I thought he was just being impatient and wanting to get back to his food....! I will have to take him to the vets and get him checked out.
I just cannot win with these poor boys, it's one thing after another, after another :( I think it's because they were in bred and out of the 7 in the litter, only 3 survived. Poor darlings, I just want them to be better so they can be rehomed :(
 
It sounds like he is unwell. I would take him to the vets as soon as possible.
 
Managed to fit him in at the vets yesterday, and she found nothing other than the obvious very mild fungal. She said all she can think of it just that he is a very nervous pig, or there could be some deeper rooted mental issues as his whole litter was very sickly.
Just going to have to keep a close eye on him and try and handle him gently as often as possible to see if he calms down.
 
I have only had one piggie like yours. He used to scream at the top of his voice when he was picked up, but settled after a few seconds. He had no health problems but just panicked when caught.I found it use ful to gently put a cloth over him especially his eyes when lifting him and that seemed to make him less afraid.
 
You commented he screams when stroked in one direction but not the other. Maybe it has to do with subtle changes in the direction of hair growth. Is he an abby or a smoothie?
 
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