They Fought!

[Bethany2386]

Ok, so I got my two newest chins from a man who has had them for 3 years. They gave them up to me for free. They have been caged together their whole life... Well, between 7 and 10 PM EST last night, the boys fought... I went down for my final check (making sure they all still had food and water) and I picked the little beige boy up. He was wet, probably from the water bottle. And then I saw some red on his foot. Well, I think he lost a toe. Then all of the sudden I realized that part of his ear was torn and bleeding... Scared the CRAP out of me. I tried to clean his ear with paper towel and it wouldn't quit bleeding. So, I put him in the dust so that it would stop with the dust clinging to it, kind of like a scab... Is there anything else that I will need to do? I already seperated them too. I just feel horrible. Do I need to clean it with anything? What do I need to watch for?

Also, should I tell the guy who I got them from? He emails me about once a week just to check on them. Should I just leave that out?

 

[alli713]

Sometimes a change in scenery will make chins act differently, I'm sorry about that. I'm just glad they didn't kill one another.

So keep them separate from now one, generally once they start fighting, they don't stop.

Putting dust on the wound is what some people do in the case of a cut. If the cuts aren't too bad I'd just keep an eye on them. So long as you can't see the bone or anything on the toe, it should heal okay. Lots of chins have lost toes in fights.

If you're worried, you could always get some blu-kote and put that on the wounds, that's what I've used in the case of a chin fight that wasn't so bad that it needed a vet visit.

 

[Bethany2386]

I am so glad that they hadn't killed each other! I was so upset last night. I didn't want to ever experience that.

I will NOT be putting them back in the same cage.

There was barely any blood on his foot, so that's why I wasn't sure if he had lost one or not. I will keep an eye open. I don't think that the wounds were bad. I just don't want them to get infected. Where can I find blu-kote?

 

[Stackie]

I picked up a bottle of blu-kote at Tractor Supply Co. a year or so ago. I'm not sure if they carry it anymore but basically what you're looking for is Gentian Violet.

You might want to inspect his toes to be sure there is no bone showing. If there is, it could lead to a pretty nasty infection. If not, then he should be fine. When one of my boys got his toe bitten off I just dipped his paw in blu-kote and made sure is cage was extra clean until it healed.

 

[Bethany2386]

If there is bone showing, then what will I need to do? I have a vet who can see exotics, but I doubt that it is bad enough... But who knows. I made sure to check on him this morning and he was still ok, but I am just a worrier...

 

[Stackie]

If there is bone showing then you would need to take him to the vet to amputate it.

 

[Bethany2386]

Ok, I just really hope there is not a bone showing. I would feel awful!

So, should I tell the guy I got them from or keep it to myself? Any thoughts?

 

[Eric4144]

That's up to you. I would probably tell him. Just be honest with him and let him know that you are taking care of them and that they will still be O.K. . I hate that you will probably have to keep them separated from now on. I bet they were a cute pair before all this lol. They will be ok though as long as you make sure to give them each plenty of individual attention. Do you have a female in the same room as the boys? If you do perhaps that is what caused it. Maybe she went into heat? I don't know lol I'm just wondering. Who knows with these crazy critters!

 

[Bethany2386]

I do not have any females. All 5 of my chins are males. I have a bonded pair of brothers, those two that fought, and an extra dark eb boy. The eb cannot be caged with anyone else because he is a killer chin. HAHA He attacked another chin he was caged with and almost killed that chin. So, I have always kept him seperate and away from the others. It does stink having to have them seperate, but it's better than one of them being dead.

I think that I will email the guy and let him know that way he knows... Thanks!

 

[Ziora]

Wow. I am learning more and more how quickly chins can turn on each other and why experienced owners warn about keeping an eye out for things like this. I was entertaining the idea of getting another chin to keep Yumi company, but I'm not going to do it now.

Very sorry to hear about this and hope the little chin recovers quickly!

 

[Bethany2386]

Yes, I mean they were fine earlier in the evening, then within those 3 hours they fought. It's easier not having to worry about that. Thanks, I think that he will be alright!

 

[Bethany2386]

Ok, I thought that I would let you know that I told the guy that gave them to me. Apparently they had fought before but not for quite awhile and there was never much blood. But he was more upset that it happened while I had them since I had to see that. I am glad that I let him know, I just still feel bad. I wish I could have done something before they fought.

 

[CommonYak]

He should have warned you to keep an eye on them if they had quarreled before... Maybe he didn't realize it could escalate.

 

[Carol~Anne]

Well, I don't know their whole history but if they fought today and there's blood and a toe might be missing then I'd definitely separate them immediately. You can still keep them side by side in different cages (without contact) so they're still smell and communicate with each other without actually touching. Then I'd give them time to settle in to their new environment and start the introduction all over again. They may settle down and be buddies again once they get used to their new surroundings, or they may not but for now I'd keep them apart so no more damage is done.

 

[Bethany2386]

I separated them already. I am fine with having them that way. It's sad for me more so to see the missing toe. So, I would really rather not risk it with them for fear of finding one dead.

 

[Mt. Zion Chins]

It really is a shame when these things happen - often ,after, they miss each other. However I do agree that once they have a major fight after being together, it is best to leave them separated. The real shame is - I have found in 15 years of breeding that most same sex chins get along with each other and love being together. I always try to pair up same sex chins because I feel they are better off/happier that way.

 

[Kelley]

I picked up a bottle of blu-kote at Tractor Supply Co. a year or so ago. I'm not sure if they carry it anymore but basically what you're looking for is Gentian Violet.

You might want to inspect his toes to be sure there is no bone showing. If there is, it could lead to a pretty nasty infection. If not, then he should be fine. When one of my boys got his toe bitten off I just dipped his paw in blu-kote and made sure is cage was extra clean until it healed.

So you use gentian violet for cuts and scraps?
I use it in my dogs ear wash and didn't know if was for cuts :hmm: