Fighting males

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Rockka

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Messages
194
Location
Wisconsin
I have two males that have been housed together for years. I have seen them argue about water but never anything else. Recently I seen a sore on one of them and I thought hmm.! Are they fighting but then they where snuggling together so I thought maybe the injured one just on hurt somehow. Now he has a sore in the same exact spot so I am thinking the other one is doing it. I'm torn what to do in the situation. I am thinking I need to keep them separated but will this be a long term separation or will they get along someday. I have found someone who is interested in homing one of them. I'm just not sure I'm doing the right thing because they do snuggle and seem bonded. Has anyone else been in this situation that can advise me.

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Anytime blood is drawn you need to separate. The scabs are a big warning flag. Sometimes chins can be together for years and turn on each other out of the blue one day. I have witnesses the same thing you have- tons of fur in a cage one morning, but the two chins cuddling. You still need to separate as one of the fights could escalate and lead to major injury and/or death.

Keep them apart for several months and you can try slowly starting the introduction process over again. However they may never get along again.
 
Not in the same cage but yes the same room. Is this the problem?

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I have had to deal with bullied chins twice, both bonded pairs.

The minute blood is drawn, you can no longer trust them together.

I had no idea that Mr. Whiskers was bullying Baby, until I came home one night and found Baby cowering in the corner with most of the fur ripped from his back by his heretofore loving "brother" (they were unrelated), Mr. Whiskers, who himself got away with a pierced and bloody ear.

I immediately scooped them up and took them to my vet (Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald of Animal Planet's show, Emergency Vets) who suggested that they both be neutered to take the testosterone out of the mix and try to rebond them later.

I agreed, kept them separated until surgery day, no matter how sad they looked to be apart.

Since they both went through it at the same time, he said that they could be together while they recovered to give each other moral support. Fortunately, they both recovered nicely with only Mr. Whiskers getting a little dehydrated.

They lived happily ever after until Baby died suddenly and unexpectedly from completely unrelated causes.

Long story short, got a new young chin, My Little Snuggler, to live with Whiskers.

They were quarantined and introduced over a very long time and then they bonded.

Later, Mr. Whiskers, being older and neutered was then himself badly attacked by The Snuggler, who was reaching adolescence and getting bossy, so again I came home to a bald and battered Whiskers cowering in the corner. It was then The Snuggler's turn to be fitted with his "Little Pink Apron".

Dr. Fitzgerald again recommended neutering The Snuggler, who said of him, "you know, those testicles are nothing but trouble"!!! I asked if he was speaking from experience and he laughed and said yes.

Once again, recovery and then a long slow intro to rebond them.

I was very fortunate that both battered chins survived -- others on this forum have had long time bonded chins killed by their cagemate.

Although I was very lucky, I remain vigilant, because I know that CAN happen again, without warning. I keep extra cages for immediate separation should the need arise.

Thanks for reading this long post. :)

Good luck with your babies...

ETA: many people are afraid to neuter chins because they are so small, but if the surgery is done by an experienced Exotic specialist, it is very safe.
 
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Ok I was thinking of getting them fixed and then people told me that if is high risk and i got scarred. Is it as high risk as I hear? I think the person I spoke to told me that I would have to force feed them for two weeks around the clock. Which Would be hard with my schedule but I do get vacation time so maybe could be worked out.

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Oh and I don't mind long post. I just want to do the right thing for my chinies. :)

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Oh my bad! You answered that in yr post..:p

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All 3 of mine ate and drank. Whiskers got a little dehydrated and had to have subcue fluids, but the other 2 ate and drank just fine.

Baby was back on the wheel on day 2 of recovery!!!! I had to disable it to let him heal. Whiskers just laid in his cuddle cup and looked pitiful.

I think it might depend on each individual chin, but knowing that Dr. Fitzgerald had recommended it and knew what he was doing put me completely at ease.
 
I'm not sure how to find a trusted vet in my area. I know of a few that take care of rabbits but not chinnies. I've only actually only had to take my chinnies to the vet once. I do have a chinnie vet like 5 min from my house I just have never had to take my chins there. I posted in my local cl asking for references and just got people telling me not to do it. :/

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Check out this list:

http://chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=104

Don't be afraid to pm any member who posted to see if the recommendation is still valid.

Also, you may find you have to go some distance for a good Exotic who is experienced in neutering chinchillas. I think the time/cost would certainly warrant it.

I am fortunate to live less than a mile from Alameda East, a fact for which I have been thankful on more than one occasion!!!

ETA: saw this possible one for you, since I don't know where in WI you are:

http://chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1542
 
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Thank you! :) I will check them out and Appleton is only about 20 min from me. :)

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Missed edit time...you can always go to Google and search for Exotic Veterinarians in (your town), WI, or even just more broadly in WI.

Again, if you have to travel, it will be worth it.

ETA: Sorry -- just saw that you had seen my link!!!
 
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