Syrian's fighting!!

[bbbarker]

If you have read my previous thread, I got my Ikea Detolf today and split it in half for my two Syrian's. The lid my dad made is a full strip of Ply wood with loads of holes for ventilation. Well not long ago I lifted the lid on Bruno's side because his wheel had fell off his level, when putting the lid down I noticed Tibbles had climbed up and jumped in Bruno's side I shouted my mum and dad, they ran in and separated them straight away. I think they nipped each other a little but they didn't have long enough to do any serious damage. I'm still in tears I feel awful, I've checked them both over and both seem ok but I just feel like the worst owner ever. My dad has put glass in both sides in front of the ply wood in the middle which half's the Detolf for tonight, then tomorrow they are changing the whole lid to two different one's.
I'm just so upset and feel so guilty, my dad says I'm over reacting and that they will be fine. He doesn't understand they will fight each other to death, and that this incident could have really stressed them out I love my baby's to pieces and hate myself for letting this happen:'(

[velma]

The important thing is you noticed & separated them straight away. Honestly? It may have stressed them a little but they'll be fine. Give them a quiet couple of days to calm down, check that any wounds don't turn nasty & I'm sure you'll be back to normal before you know it.
I'd have been beside myself too. I recently managed to drop my robo (long story) & he landed on the roof of my Syrian's cage (top opening duna). Nearly every evening I leave the lids open while I'm feeding them as they can't climb out but for some reason that evening I hadn't opened her cage yet. I dread to think what would have happened if Cleo's cage was open & Hector landed in that. Syrian vs robo? *shudder* just the thought of it had me freaking out. The point is these things, unfortunately, do happen. The main thing is we don't let them happen again! The fact that you're so upset means you care.

On a practical note, if you can do it without disturbing them, it may be worth moving anything they can climb up away from their partition if there is a chance they could get over it with the lid down. If the lid means there's not a gap them leave them be. Also, relating to the lid, Erin's Animals had a tutorial on how to make her lids - she made two separate ones & more recently she hinged them in the middle. Might be worth showing your dad

[bbbarker]

Bruno is fine he's going on as if nothing had happened, probably because it was him bullying Tibbles more than her bullying him. My dad checked Tibbles a few times, her belly, back all the places you would check and we couldn't see any wounds. I'm just worried about her, she was obviously shook up after the whole thing happened and she even let my dad pick her up bare hands to check her without biting him which would never happen before this. She's currently in her bed fast asleep, I did make a bit of noise next to her bed just so I could see her gorgeous face to reassure me she's ok and just napping. I suppose today has been a bit stressful for her, moving cages and getting into a fight. All I can do is keep a good eye on her and fingers crossed she's ok.
I showed my dad Erin's video and told him that's how I wanted the lid doing but of course he doesn't listen and I was at college whilst he did it all so I couldn't have an input. He's going to half the Plywood to create two different lids and hopefully this solves the problem.
I definitely won't have much sleep tonight until I see Tibbles up and running. Thanks for the reassurance it means a lot

[bbbarker]

The lid is secure and there are no gaps, the reason she got into the other side was because I had lifted Bruno's side of the lid slightly and not realised Tibbles could climb up and jump in, definitely won't be making that mistake again

[Thin Lizzy]

Like Velma said you spotted it and dealt with it right away.
Don't be too hard on yourself, it was an accident. The main thing is that it doesn't happen again. I would've been worried too.
In time Tibbles will get over the shock.
I just wonder if she might be pregnant?

[bbbarker]

Well it has crossed my mind, she did stick her tail up when I stroked her. But there has been questions on whether Bruno is a girl or not. I got him from a petshop who apparently only strictly sold males but when I'm able to look at his belly I can almost see nipples. If by chance Tibbles was pregnant how long would it take for them to mate? I didn't actually watch the whole thing I was so upset I couldn't watch but my mum said they were together for no more than 5 seconds and she did hear Tibbles squel slightly

[Kelsits]

As long as you didn't intentionally put them together (which it's clear you didn't) you shouldn't blame yourself!

[CPalmer]

I'm with the others. It was so quick, more stressful for you now, I'm sure your hammies are over it already.

Don't blame yourself, it was an accident.

As for pregnacy... 5 seconds... Bruno would have to be don juan ;D

[cypher]

I wouldn't have thought you'd need to worry about pregnancy either, it was such a short time, even though they can be quick, & both of them must have had a bit of a shock & been more concerned with fighting!
I'm sure Tibbles will settle again with some time & peace & quiet.
Accidents do happen sometimes so don't be hard on yourself.

[BrainGirl]

Goodness, that would have been stressful! Maybe you can glue a strip of board or glass horizontally across the top of the divider so that even if the lid gets lifted like that again any attempt to actually get over the top would be more difficult? Might just give you a little extra peace of mind. Glad they seem to be ok!