Sister Fallout Please Help

[Emma2468]

I got a pair of Guinea pigs back in September as pets for my Year 1 class. They are two girls (Sandy and Daisy) who came from the same litter from a large pet retailer. They both seemed to be getting along just fine and had been observed by a colleague in the holiday playing normally. Earlier this week I went out to feed them and noticed Sandy had matted fur under her chin. A closer inspection and trip to the vets established a bite, which she now needs antibiotics to prevent infection. The vet told me to keep them separate for a couple of days and try reintroducing them. I have had them at home next to each other so they can see and smell. Today I tried putting them back together in an indoor cage with two bowls of food, two bottles of water and two tubes for hiding. All seemed OK for 5 minutes and then Daisy went for Sandy, it was quite frightening. We have separated them again.

Can anybody help? Are they now destined to dislike each other and not be together. I can't have them at home anymore because I live in rented and shouldn't really have them here in the first place.

 

[Wiebke]

I got a pair of Guinea pigs back in September as pets for my Year 1 class. They are two girls (Sandy and Daisy) who came from the same litter from a large pet retailer. They both seemed to be getting along just fine and had been observed by a colleague in the holiday playing normally. Earlier this week I went out to feed them and noticed Sandy had matted fur under her chin. A closer inspection and trip to the vets established a bite, which she now needs antibiotics to prevent infection. The vet told me to keep them separate for a couple of days and try reintroducing them. I have had them at home next to each other so they can see and smell. Today I tried putting them back together in an indoor cage with two bowls of food, two bottles of water and two tubes for hiding. All seemed OK for 5 minutes and then Daisy went for Sandy, it was quite frightening. We have separated them again.

Can anybody help? Are they now destined to dislike each other and not be together. I can't have them at home anymore because I live in rented and shouldn't really have them here in the first place.

Hi and welcome!

Guinea pigs will usually not go back together after a serious fight and bite, whether it is boars or, much more rarely, sows.
Whether the piggies in question are indeed related or not is completely irrelevant and is a sadly still persistent myth. Classroom guinea pigs - considering that they are prey animals and not natural pets - are usually under a higher amount of stress; a too small shop cage (sadly, the majority of them too small for RSPCA minimal standards) can also add to fighting and a fall-out.

Could you please add your country or UK county to your details, so we can help you get your two girls into a good rescue where they can be paired up independently and be only rehomed to a home checked home if that is possible (depending on your location). Please click on your username, go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!

 

[Emma2468]

Thanks for your advice. We had decided that they are probably best being parted. I can assure you that they were in a very large hutch outside not actually in the classroom. I will look into this myself as I know some good rescue places. Thanks

 

[Wiebke]

We have got a recommended UK rescues locator on the top with the rescues we can guarantee for as to standard etc.
I am very sorry that this has happened. It is rare in sows, but not unknown.

 

[Emma2468]

Ok I will look at that thanks. There was no problem having them at school. I only brought them home to try and reintroduce them and give Sandy the antibiotics.

I know guinea pigs are usually social animals so would a rescue help us in finding another suitable companion for Sandy so we can continue to love her?

 

[Merrypigs Sanctuary]

Rescues are usually fab at helping people find buddies for single ladies! You might find neutered boars are better companions than other sows, but most places let your pig meet others multiple times to ensure they get on before you take the newbie home!
How old are they? They may be having dominance issues if they've reached maturity xx

 

[VickiA]

So sorry to hear that the girls have fallen out. My experience with sows is that once they have had a big fall out and drawn blood their minds are made up and not likely to be changed. You're right to keep them separated and to see whether a rescue can help you either to re home both or to find you a new companion for one while they rehome the other.

 

[Emma2468]

Rescues are usually fab at helping people find buddies for single ladies! You might find neutered boars are better companions than other sows, but most places let your pig meet others multiple times to ensure they get on before you take the newbie home!
How old are they? They may be having dominance issues if they've reached maturity xx

They are around 4-5 months old.

 

[Merrypigs Sanctuary]

So they are getting pretty much maturity age - this might be why the hierarchy is being re-established/jiggled around! Usually one pig is more dominant over the other, as seems the case here - Daisy is more dominant than Sandy. Have you noticed Sandy 'fighting back' as such? Or are you finding she is happy to back down? If Sandy is 'fighting back', it may be that both want to be the boss, which can cause some issues!

 

[Emma2468]

Thanks for all the advice on my two piggies. Thankfully the situation has been resolved as my colleague has agreed to adopt Daisy and she has had guinea pigs in the past I know that she will look after her well. I am glad that what has been a sad situation has a happy ending.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks for all the advice on my two piggies. Thankfully the situation has been resolved as my colleague has agreed to adopt Daisy and she has had guinea pigs in the past I know that she will look after her well. I am glad that what has been a sad situation has a happy ending.

My only concern is - are both sows kept as singles now?