fighting brothers

Question
QUESTION: i have two male guinea pigs who are brothers, they are just over 2 years old and recently they have begun fighting, one of them has ended up with countless cuts on the face and nose, and when the worst cut happened (a slash across the back) i had to separate them. when we went on holiday, we took them to a friends house so they could look after them while we were gone, however on the journey over, i had to hold them away from each other in the box we were transporting them in, due to the fact that they were attacking each other. i dont understand why they were so good together for so long, and now they suddenly hate each other.

ANSWER: Hi Claire

The fighting could have begun for all number of reasons although it is unusual.

Sadly though, now blood has been drawn you will need to keep them separated permanatly.

If you would like more information as to what might have happened please let me know but I havent addressed that point as sadly the situation is now ireversable.

Andy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thankyou for your responce, yes i would like more information about what might've happened, its so strange for them to be fighting. they've been separated for a couple of weeks now, so the fighting has been stopped, i darent put them near each other anymore

Answer
Hi again

Its very unusual still but two males will sometimes fight if there is an environmental change, however small, such as change of bedding, food dish location etc.

Also, if there has been a female pig in the vicinity this is likely to start a war.

As a last resort you could try cleaning the cage thoroughly to get rid of all scent then bathing both pigs. You can then try to see if they get on but there is only a very small chance this will work.

Andy