Socialization gone VERY bad!

[Denise]

My new baby Pumpkin was bit in the eye last night by one of our older pigs Peaches. They were near each other laying down and I thought we may have finally hit a crossroads when Peaches lunged at Pumpkin, without any warning, a bit her. She squealed so long and loud it was frightening! We searched and searched for an injury but couldn't find one. Then this morning I found it. She has a white spot on it with cloudiness. I am just sick. We have an appointment with the vet at 3:40 today. My husband was coming home early so we could go buy a new sheet of coroplast to make them a larger cage. Guess it's still gonna happen, but with a barrier now. I will let you know what they say.

 

[Starbucks]

sorry to hear about that. my piggies are still in the process of getting along also. please keep us posted about pumpkins condition

 

[piggielover92]

That's too bad...... I hope Pumpkin is okay! Keep us posted! Yeah, I would definatly make a divider across the new cage.

 

[Denise]

She's going to be OK!! It was only a minor abrasion on her cornea. We have to put ointment in her eye three times a day. The vet did a very thorough exam and said she was a real trooper. She didn't fidget at all during the exam! We are definitely going to use a divider for some time! Thanks all!

 

[piggielover92]

That's great! Well, not great that she got hurt, but it is great that she will be okay! Good luck!

 

[loves2travel]

good to hear shes gonna be all right!

 

[Denise]

Thanks everyone. She looks a bit better today.

 

[loves2travel]

oh, so good to hear. i hope she is completely recovered soon1

 

[ChadWPB]

How did you introduce the two pigs? Glad to hear Pumpkin's doing well.

 

[Erin8607]

Denise - I'm going to post my methods here so they are available to others for future use.

1) Large pen on the floor, lots of veggies and hay. Place your most laid back pig between pinapple and peaches in the pen with Pumpkin. When those two are getting along well, no chattering or chasing, add the more dominant pig in to the mix. Keep watch, have a water bottle, dust pan, and towel ready to split up any big arguements. Chasing, mounting, chattering all ok - just no lunging or blood.

2) Scary moments help bring pigs together - a community bath in some warm water may work. Put all three in the tub and get them scared and wet. Then put them in a VERY warm spot in the house to dry together(a lap?). The blowdryer for a few minutes may be good and scary too.

3) Divided cage for awhile. This is the longest process introduction I've had to do, it took 2 weeks to introduce two new sows to a herd of 5 established sows. Divide the cage with Pumpkin on one side and Pinapple and Peaches on the other. At the cage cleaning, switch sides, leaving all houses and such on the same sides so the cage smells like the "new" pig(s). Don't worry about cage space during this, of course the pair of pigs is going to get "jipped" for a couple weeks.

If you need ANY help in person, I can be up of an afternoon or evening after school. I'm out at about 1:00 and have no classes on Friday's.

 

[Denise]

Thank Erin. I can do all of them. They are currently in their new divided 2X5 cage, so maybe I'll try the playpen idea tonight. (They are still rumblestrutting thru the grids!)

 

[Denise]

How did you introduce the two pigs? Glad to hear Pumpkin's doing well.

Chad, they came home from the pet store together, so they were put in the same cage immediately. (I was not a very informed piggy mom then!) There was never any problem. They bicker a bit now and again, but from what I read here, it's normal. P.S. Punk's eye looks great today, she's healing nicely.

 

[Denise]

Well, since the last post (10-18-04), they have been separated for two weeks since quarantine was over, had their scary bath and blow dry, newly cleaned and rearranged cage and they are STILL chasing Pumpkin all over the cage! The huddled together in the bath and in the corner while I blew them dry, but as soon as that was over, it was back to business as usual. Sheesh! Anyway, I spoke with Erin on the phone and she said to be patient and things will work themselves out. I'm trying.

 

[liluqt]

Denise, I bought two pigs who came from the same store together also.. and I ALSO put them in the same cage together, which was a bad idea. They fought day and night until I bought separate cages for the two and I didn't even dare throw in my adopted guinea into the mix. So they all have their own space and area in the C&C cage 6 months later. People have told me that it takes more than one socializing meeting, but I'm scared about it too! I've never seen my pigs lunge at each other so fiercely. But I hope things work out for your pigs. I'm taking it slow with my pigs and will use some of the tips above.

 

[Faunn]

I had a problem like that, but it happened OUTSIDE of the cage. When I get my nexted pigs, I'm going to try socilizing (spelling) but if it doesn't work, Sagwa gets sperate.

 

[AngelsCavies]

My Scruffy is the bully of all boys and Prince dont like Scruffy. I tried to put all the boys in a warm water bath today. They went at it a bit then they settled down. After I dried them all and put them in the cage (all four of them). Scruffy and Prince went at it and Scruffy bit baby Gizmo on his side. So Scruffy had to be alone again can not be with any boys at all. Baby Gizmo is ok not a big cut just real small and got it taken care of. i couldnt get to the vet cause my husband had the car. But I called them and described the wound and they said to clean it throughly and keep an eye on it. So he is fine now and no infection or nothing.

 

[mncavylover]

Oh, no!!! I'm glad to hear the piggy is alright--whew! Good luck, Denise!

 

[Denise]

Thanks Karen, it's good to hear from you stranger! Well, the girls seem to have worked things out today all of a sudden. They had floor time in a different room and actually took a nap together, ate together and generally got along. I took some pictures. There was a LOT of mounting though! Double checked Peaches sex just to make sure, LOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!! (She's still a girl, hahaha!)

 

[mncavylover]

Good! I'm glad to hear things are going well. Lol, stranger. Sorry I haven't been on as regularly, I do try. =)