What To Do? Fall-out While On Holiday!

[kirstief]

Hi,
I'm new to the forum, so I apologise if this questions been repeated elsewhere.

I'm currently on holiday and my daughters two boy guinea pigs are in a small animal boarding place. But just as I was about to leave the country I had a call from the lady looking after them to tell me my boys had obviously smelt the ladies, got worked up and had a fight - drawing blood on one of my boys nose. She had to separate them, but has kept them so they can see each other (that's what she told me). I'm coming back next week and am now concerned about what to do?
They aren't castrated, they are just over a year old, they have been fine up until now. I'm happy to get them castrated if that would help, I hadn't done it before now as they had been fine.
I'm really concerned about picking them up - do I bring them home in the same box? When I get home do I try and introduce them back? I don't know what I'll do if they can't as i don't want 2 separate guinea pigs - not nice for them, but I don't want to gain some females to keep them company as I don't want anymore, and I certainly can't get rid of either as they are our pets, you just can't get rid of them! What do I do? How do I try and get them back together? Do I get them castrated? Ahhhhh please help!

Thank you

 

[Stewybus]

This is quite common when they're going through their hormonal stage, a bit like teenagers in human terms. I think the boarding place is partly to blame because males living together of any age should not be housed close to females. Usually once blood has been drawn then there's no going back but these are unusual circumstances so once you get them home & gradually introduce them again, they may be ok without the smell of females close by.

Nearly forgot to say, don't get them castrated as guinea pigs aren't usually calmed with this op unlike rabbits.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry about your problem! What a holiday spoiler!

Boars always have to renew their hierarchy in any new territory and surroundings. This can sometimes lead to fall-outs between them even without any sows in season present. Your boys are unfortunately still not quite out of the hormonal months.

Please bring them back separately. let them settle down at your home separately at first (remember the territorial hang-up!). Once that is done, you can try to re-introduce them on neutral ground; we have got tips for that closer to time at the top of our behaviour section.

Whether they will go back together is something that you will have to wait and see. It very much depends on just how bad the fall-out was. If it is just a bad scratch, then you may be in with a chance that they will go back together; if it was a proper full-out fight, then they may not.

If they don't, no trick in the book will ultimately mask that fact for more than a very short time. If you do not want to pair them up with new partners (either a with a sow each 6 weeks after neutering or a rescue dated boarmate), then your only option is to keep them side by side with interaction through the bars for mutual stimulation. Neutering only takes away the ability to make babies, but unlike with rabbit bucks, it does not change boar behaviour or their personality. You also want to make sure that you are using a vet with lots of practice in small animal ops to cut down on the risk of post op complications.

With members from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you added your country, state or (for the UK) your county or city to your details, so we can always give you appropriate advice and recommendations straight away. Please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thanks!

PS: I hope that you can enjoy your holiday nevertheless!

 

[kirstief]

This is quite common when they're going through their hormonal stage, a bit like teenagers in human terms. I think the boarding place is partly to blame because males living together of any age should not be housed close to females. Usually once blood has been drawn then there's no going back but these are unusual circumstances so once you get them home & gradually introduce them again, they may be ok without the smell of females close by.

Nearly forgot to say, don't get them castrated as guinea pigs aren't usually calmed with this op unlike rabbits.

Thank you, I'm hoping it's just because of the odd situation. Thanks for the advice on castration - I had just assumed it would make a difference to their behaviour.

 

[kirstief]

Thank you Wiebke, do I need to try and sort their set up so they can see each other whilst they settle down? Currently I have an omlet plastic house outside and a indoor rabbit run inside - neither are easy to separate so they can still see each other!

 

[Wiebke]

If they end up not going back together again, then you may want to look into long term housing that allows them constant interaction through the bars or through mesh.

But you can leave that until you come back home and have a measure of what is going on; as long as you can keep them separate upon your return, they will be OK.

Take your time to think through various housing options to find solutions that are suitable for your home. You can find out more in our housing section or discuss separated boar set-ups with other members. You won't be the only one with that problem!