worried about new pig being picked on

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catslovelycats

catslovelycats

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I've posted another thread about my new piggie trying to settle with my current herd of 3 girls.
Today I saw a small cut on her back like a bite mark and I notice it's now got bigger, as if she's been bitten again. I've just put the pigs in their home after being out in the run where things seemed fine. I noticed my top pig and bottom pig bothchased her out of the different boxes she was sheltering in.
She then did a strange little quiet sound like crying so I've brought her in and got her on my lap.

Is this a sign that I should keep her apart from the herd, as blood has been drawn? I'm worried that she'll be miserable on her own, but is that preferable to risking her being attacked further. What should I do?
 
Poor thing. I would have taken her out too. I know chasing and everything is quite new at the start but not injury. The blood and nasty injuries don't sound good and I would be inclined to seperate and get her a friend of her own. Either that or make 2 pairs from the girls that you now have with the one who wasn't hurting her as her pal.
 
I think I'll put her in her own cage tonight. When I get home from work tomorrow I'll try reintroducing her to the pigs in the run and see how they are.

I'm so upset. SHe's a rescue pig and I feel like I've made things worse for her as well as upsetting my current pigs. :(
 
In this case, I would separate, too. I am sorry that things haven't worked out for you!

Please do NOT try to reintroduce. Sadly, when piggies decide that somepig is not part of "us" that is usually the end of it and they won't change their minds any time soon!

You can either split up your girls so that the most laid back one can live with your new girl or find the newbie a hopefully younger and smaller friend.
 
Am I OK letting her in the run with them? They all seem happy enough together in that...

I've recently bought a new cage but haven't finished putting it together yet. Would it be worth trying them all together in that, with it being neutral territory? Or should I just concede defeat?
 
Does anyine know: Am I OK letting her in the run with them? They all seem happy enough together in that...

I've recently bought a new cage but haven't finished putting it together yet. Would it be worth trying them all together in that, with it being neutral territory? Or should I just concede defeat?
 
Thanks Weibke.
I don't for a moment want to ignore any advice I can get from experts. Is the general feeling that if they bite to keep them apart?

I'll take a look at your link. Thanks.
I've got Biscuit in the run at the moment with the gentlest pig and they are both happily running around and nibbling grass. At worst I suppose I can a) consider putting Lettis in with BIscuit permanently (but not happy to separate her from her daughter) or at least keep letting them meet in the run.

There's never been a problem with them all togethre in the run so I might try that again in a day or two.
 
I have several sows who will happily share a run in the garden all day but simply will not tolerate each other in a cage - I think they feel threatened in such close proximity.

I'm wondering if the 'bite' mark could be the start of mites - maybe brought on by the stress of the other 2 ladies chasing her around. Many people are fooled into thinking that these 'wounds' are caused by other guineas biting but quite often they turn out to be a mite problem - please keep a very close eye on the wound and get her treatment if it dosen't start to heal. Watch for telltale signs of her chewing or scratching at it...................

Teresa xx
 
It is advisable not to force guinea pigs together after there have been repeated bites. I would keep Lettuce together with Biscuit and just have them as a whole group in the run.

Perhaps you can eventually try a reintrodcution when Biscuit is a bigger and the group has had time to accept her. But personally, I would wait for a few weeks at least!

Guinea pigs are like little children in that respect - if you try to force them, they really dig their toes in! In the long run it is better to accept the situation as it is and let the piggie relax and work it out themselves in their own time, if possible.
 
I am sorry that things do not seem to be working out :( I know how you must feel as I have been there. One of my girls turned VERY aggressive to the pig in question. It was heartbreaking but I had to do what was right for the guinea pigs and the poor piggy I rescued had to go back :0

I agree with Wiebke that once blood has been drawn, it may not be a good idea to reintroduce xx
 
I think Biscuit has mites! I looked at her and she seems to have lost a bit more fur over night and she has several little scabs on her. I haven't noticed her scratching but it's the top of her back/rump and not sure if she can reach that part of her.

Still think her cut was a bite though and Lettis has just started chasing her around the run. So I've brought Biscuit in and shall make an appoitnemnt at the vets for tomorrow if I can get one - if not Sat. I suppose that means the other pigs may have mites now too...

I really don't want Biscuit on her own. It defeats the object of rescuing her in the 1st place. I shall have to think about the way ahead. I certainly don't want to desert her. But can't risk constantly getting another pig only to find they don't accept each other!
 
If you do decide to separate and keep Biscuit, most rescues will be happy for you to take her along to choose her own friend.

Good luck with whatever you decide and I hope your vet visit goes well. It sounds like mites or fungal to me so you are doing the right thing taking her x
 
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