Two Frightened Pigs... What Can I Do To Help?

JoannaMarie

JoannaMarie

Junior Guinea Pig
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I have two boars (Alan and Monty) who can not live together as they fight. I have one cage and when one is in the cage the other is out 'free range' in the living room. I swap them over twice a day so they each have 12 hours free time to run round the living room whilst the other one's in the cage. They like having each other around and are always chatting to each other, rumble strutting through the cage bars etc. They like being near each other but just can't be together unfortunately after a few times of trying to bond.

This morning I woke up to find the bars of the cage open. Monty loves being in his cage strangely and even when he is out will chew at the bars to try to get in. I think he must have chewed at the bars on the door and pulled it open. I don't know if they fought but both of them are totally terrified at the moment. I tried to get Alan in the cage and he freaked out, thrashing around and jumping against the bars. What can I do to help? They have obviously scared each other and are now frightened of every sound or movement. I'm scared one of them is going to have a heart attack! Is this usual behaviour? Is there anything I can do to help? How long will it take for them to recover? Any help is gratefully received!
 
I should also say thatAlan is about 3 and Monty 2, they are usually very outgoing pigs and seem to be very happy. I had to seperate then when Monty was 6 mmonthsas they had a bloody fight. Alan is more skittish than Monty and gets scared more easily. Since yesterday morning when I found the cage door open both of them have been silent and haven't left their hiding spots. They are eating veg but havent touched their pellets. Alan still refuses to go in the cage so Monty is stuck in the cage at the moment too. I just don't know what to do to help, is it just a case of time healing their fear?
 
I wish I could help but this situation is outside my experience.
I just wanted to offer support to you.
I’m sure your love for them will slowly help them.
 
JoannaMarie said:
I should also say thatAlan is about 3 and Monty 2, they are usually very outgoing pigs and seem to be very happy. I had to seperate then when Monty was 6 mmonthsas they had a bloody fight. Alan is more skittish than Monty and gets scared more easily. Since yesterday morning when I found the cage door open both of them have been silent and haven't left their hiding spots. They are eating veg but havent touched their pellets. Alan still refuses to go in the cage so Monty is stuck in the cage at the moment too. I just don't know what to do to help, is it just a case of time healing their fear?
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If they are frightened and in shock, they have most likely had a serious hostile run in over the cage invasion. Please check them carefully all over for bites, especially Alan - if necessarily by a vet. Deep one look like needle pricks in pairs and are not necessarily obvious. They often happen around the neck if there is an invasion into a hidey (defence bites) or the rump from a fight in open space. Infected deep bites can abscess as guinea pigs have always got gunk in their mouths. They may require an antibiotic to prevent this from happening.

It would be better if you kept them in adjoining cages for the long term, so they can safely interact through the bars without the risk of invasion, but they have both very much their own territory. Also make sure that any time shared run is safe from accessing the other boy's cage. Ideally each boy has got his own fleece during roaming time.
If you are strapped for cash, consider looking for a second-hand cages in your local free-ads.

Please keep an eye on their weights by switching from the usual weekly weigh-in and step in with syringe feed top-up in case one of them loses 50g or more in a matter of one or just a few days.
 
Thank you for your help. I checked them immediately when it happened for bite marks on their back and neck and around their face but couldnt find anything. I am going to keep checking every day to make sure they are ok.

Also I have secured the cage door so there is no way it can happen again. I had an old cage which is a little smaller than the one they have been living in but I have got that out of the loft and put Monty in it.

Thankfully they have both calmed down a lot, both are eating and both have started to make noise again (i.e begging for food when they hear the fridge door). Both are still very skittish but nowhere near what they were on Sunday. They are very agressive when they go near the other one's cage and have been biting at the cage to get to each other. I think it will take several weeks for them to get back to normal.

Thanks again for your help. I never thought a guinea pig would be strong enough to open the cage door as it is quite firm but Monty must be super-pig!
 
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