new pig does not like veggies!

[Tracis]

They are both very handsome boys. :)

I'm so happy that they have become friends. Yay for happiness!

[tiggyswift]

Both boys are doing well together, although they do have squabbles sometimes. Elmo is definitely the dominant one! I have totally switched their pellets to Oxbow now. I mixed it for a while, but they were picking the crappy ones out to eat, so I switched it a bit more quickly than I had originally planned. They do just fine with it and love the oxbow hay!

[Bugs Mom]

Good to hear they are both doing well.

[tiggyswift]

Talishan, here is my bite thread! Unfortunately, Elmo and Junior had to be separated due to severe fighting today! I have never seen anything like this before! They were rolling and fighting really bad, and Elmo gave me a nasty bite when I tried to separate them. He broke the skin in several places on my arm, and boy, does it hurt like heck! I thought I was going to need stitches at first. I have only been on this site and forum for about 2 months, and realize there is so much I didn't know was important like adequate cage space. I am ashamed to admit they were in a cage that is too small. They have been ok before this, although they squabbled sometimes. Should I put them together during floor time? I am ordering a C & C cage (XLG) as soon as my husbands retirement check comes, which should be today or tomorrow, and will get the stools and plan to bed them on fleece I think. I am getting extra grids in case I have to divide the cage, but I hope I don't have too. Has this happened to anyone else, and was the reintroduction in a larger cage successful?

[Tracis]

So sorry that the boys have started fighting. A bigger cage is a great idea.

I probably would not put them together for floor time until they were ready to go into the new cage together. They will just need to re-establish dominance over and over again, and this can be very stressful for the humans and the pigs.

[Talishan]

Ditto Tracis.

When the cage gets there, wash everything, rearrange everything, etc. etc. etc. just like before so both think it's a new home.

This might be helpful, too:

http://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm#Introductions

Long article, but well worth the read:

http://www.cavyspirit.com/sociallife.htm

[tiggyswift]

Do I need to do floor time intro's again, or can they just go in the cage once it is set up? I ended up going to the ER because my arm swelled up and is very painful. It is infected already! Thanks for the advice and links.

[Talishan]

Just go in the cage once it's set up. Give them some time, though. I'm concerned that the fight is still fresh in their minds, so to speak, and if the cage arrives in the next few days, that may be too soon. They need a break from each other and from their own reactions, if that makes any sense.

You take care of yourself, too. Infected pigs is bad enough. Infected you we do not need! ;-) Did they give you some AB at the ER?

[tiggyswift]

Yes, I am on an antibiotic. I have never been bitten like this before!
I acted on instinct to separate them as they were full blown fighting, and never even considered I would wind up getting bit. It sure is painful! Junior has a puncture wound, too. No swelling at all, and no redness, so for now, I am keeping it clean and watching it for signs of infection. Is this ok, or should he go to the vet for AB anyway?

I will wait on getting the cage to reintroduce. I have to deposit my husband's check, and will order it then.

[Talishan]

"I am keeping it clean and watching it for signs of infection. Is this ok,"

Yes. Watch carefully and take him to the vet at the first sign of any developing infection or abscess.

[tiggyswift]

I am watching it very closely, and will take him if there are any signs of infection. Thanks!

Off to work now, so I will update on Junior tomorrow if anything new develops.

[Bethie]

OUCH! So sorry to hear you had a fight. When you try intros again, remember gloves and a dustpan in case you have to separate them. Now, boys, you be good for your mummy!