Bullying

[Char-x]

I have two girl pigs, the eldest is one year eight months and the youngest just a month younger. They have been together pretty much all their life.
Usually Tallulah (oldest) has been the boss, shes firm but fair. During the adolescent (sp) stage Gypsey (youngest) got abit big for her boots, tried it on etc but Tallulah managed to keep her place as top pig - thankfully, because I know Gypsey would be a nasty boss.

On Monday I seriously thought Tallulah had a URI, and so my mum took her to the vets without Gypsey - usually she travels with but mum thought it would be best to not risk infecting Gypsey if this was the case. Turns out Tallulah is perfectly healthy so they go back together, everything seems fine. But last two days now Gypsey wont stop going after Tallulah, mounting her, chewing on her, stalking her etc. She really wont let up.

There hasnt been any blood shed so I've had to let them get on with it, as I know splitting makes it worse. They have two of everything and a 7x4 cage for 2 of them. I've now done it so their hideys, a tub of hay, and a food bowel is seperate ends but its still happening. I will cahnge their fleece tomorrow, but any other ideas? I dont know what could have caused this, maybe the seperation but I'm not too sure, as its abit be-lated. ETA: My mum said she thinks its only happening when we are in the room, as shes seem them fine until she enters and then Gypsey plays up. Gypsey is hugely human orientated, so maybe but it seems unlikely.

 

[AnimalHouse36]

Have you tried a buddy bath?

They could be in heat but usualy it happens every 16 days for a few days.

 

[Deenanicole08]

Give them a bath together. They need to smell the same again. My cats do this when we take one to the vet without the others, they pick on and make the other an outcast untill the smell of the unfamiliar goes away. Its like animals forget who their friend is because they dont smell the same anymore lol

 

[fieryone]

I was going to suggest the same thing about bathing them. When I had cats and only one would go to the vet, the one that went to the vet would be harrassed mercilessly by the other two because they smelled like the vet's office and not themselves anymore. Since they smelled differently they seemed to be seen as an intruder.

 

[Char-x]

Thanks for the replies, they have calmed down somewhat today so I will see how things go. Think a buddy bath might be in order though.