Jaina_Organasolo
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2011
- Messages
- 168
Hi all,
I need some advice again as I really don't know what to do for the best. Usually, I have some idea but on this one I'm really not sure.
I have a pair of ebonies here, Bill and Ted. They are very similar in age and were weaned together. So they are just over 2 1/2 years old. I have had to handle them alot recently due to a long treatment period for Upper Respiratory infection.
Just prior to the infection, I move them into a new (second hand, but only by a few months) cage, which was much bigger than their previous cage.
Today I was cuddling Bill, and I felt something sharp in his fur, just above his left hand shoulder. At first I wondered if it was his shoulder blade, but it didn't feel right. I searched through his fur to find the cause of the issue and to my horror/suprise I found a scab about the size of a 5p piece. It looks identical to when Stitch got bitten up by Lucky. (other chins) The sharpness was where the scab was sticking up, as it has obviously been knocked or something and then healed. The actual wound looks good. No heat, swelling or redness so it will probably heal up just fine - at least he has been on anti-biotics and no baths for some time so there's no vet visit required I don't think. From the scab and Stitch's progress I'd say it was at least a couple of weeks old. I believe it to be a bite, as it's too big for anything else I would say and it looks exactly the same.
I'm at a loss as to why it's happened. They can often be found cuddling and sleeping in a pile and generally seem fond of each other. I've not really heard any bickering or arguing between them, the only thing I have noticed is Ted is now trying to hump Bill at playtime. I don't know if the balance has been upset due to the big cage, due to the hospital cage, due to the illness or what. I have no idea.
I suppose what I need to know is should I split them? Would you say that once a chinchilla has bitten another, there is always that capacity for it to happen again and not trust Ted? Ironically, I was letting him playtimes at first with Spooky because I believed him to be the more nervous and quiet of the two. I really don't want to split them but not sure if I can trust them now with each other - but it's sad that they have always had each other. If I do split them, do I try introduce Bill to Spook or find Bill a friend. Bills quite laid back and Spooks quite spazzy so it might work.
I really don't know whats for the best, so I'd appreciate some advice. To say I am gutted is probably an understatement - especially coming from what *I* thought was my most Timid Chin.
I need some advice again as I really don't know what to do for the best. Usually, I have some idea but on this one I'm really not sure.
I have a pair of ebonies here, Bill and Ted. They are very similar in age and were weaned together. So they are just over 2 1/2 years old. I have had to handle them alot recently due to a long treatment period for Upper Respiratory infection.
Just prior to the infection, I move them into a new (second hand, but only by a few months) cage, which was much bigger than their previous cage.
Today I was cuddling Bill, and I felt something sharp in his fur, just above his left hand shoulder. At first I wondered if it was his shoulder blade, but it didn't feel right. I searched through his fur to find the cause of the issue and to my horror/suprise I found a scab about the size of a 5p piece. It looks identical to when Stitch got bitten up by Lucky. (other chins) The sharpness was where the scab was sticking up, as it has obviously been knocked or something and then healed. The actual wound looks good. No heat, swelling or redness so it will probably heal up just fine - at least he has been on anti-biotics and no baths for some time so there's no vet visit required I don't think. From the scab and Stitch's progress I'd say it was at least a couple of weeks old. I believe it to be a bite, as it's too big for anything else I would say and it looks exactly the same.
I'm at a loss as to why it's happened. They can often be found cuddling and sleeping in a pile and generally seem fond of each other. I've not really heard any bickering or arguing between them, the only thing I have noticed is Ted is now trying to hump Bill at playtime. I don't know if the balance has been upset due to the big cage, due to the hospital cage, due to the illness or what. I have no idea.
I suppose what I need to know is should I split them? Would you say that once a chinchilla has bitten another, there is always that capacity for it to happen again and not trust Ted? Ironically, I was letting him playtimes at first with Spooky because I believed him to be the more nervous and quiet of the two. I really don't want to split them but not sure if I can trust them now with each other - but it's sad that they have always had each other. If I do split them, do I try introduce Bill to Spook or find Bill a friend. Bills quite laid back and Spooks quite spazzy so it might work.
I really don't know whats for the best, so I'd appreciate some advice. To say I am gutted is probably an understatement - especially coming from what *I* thought was my most Timid Chin.
)
