Arthurs Ear - injured? I'm worried as Im not sure?

[bacara]

Hi
Not been on in ages!! But Im worried about both my piggies at the moment. But this post will be about Arthur.

Arthur is a short haired piggie and he is the submissive boar of the two. I never seem to see them fight but sometimes they just have the stand off where their chins are raised and bit of teeth chattering and off Arthur trots away leaving Merlin to be top dog.

I rescued them from the North Shields Guinea pig rescue last year when they were were approx 6 month old. layla was unsure as they were so small it was hard to tell - but since Merlins hair was quiet long they must have been 6month plus but no older than 1year. So they are approx 2years now.

When I rehomed them they got along fine sleeping together and no squabbles etc....but recently I noted they sleep apart! - Arthur always had a little chip missing out of his left ear and today I noticed for the first time that he had quite a big chunk missing from the lower part! I was horrified as only 5 days ago I noted in this ear a little crusty scab just on the inside at the top. He let me release this with no problems...it just dropped out.

So back to his missing part of the ear. The edging is rough and scabby to touch as if its healing. it looks odd that such a large chunk is gone -----so guys what do you think?

Should I be worried about him and get him checked over by the vet? How has this happened? Has he been in fight with Merlin? Or can this be a fungal thing? Maybe he scratched him self silly since i removed that scab the other day?

Any advise would be gratelful
Thanks
Alexia..

[Orlaith]

Do you have any pictures? Does the skin around it look dry or flaky at all? It sounds silly, but it would be better if it was fungal rather than a bite from Merlin. Give Arthur a thorough check and see if he has any little cuts anywhere else as well.

Have you actually seen them fighting? It's hard to say whether or not it's an injury when you haven't seen them fighting.

[bacara]

Thanks for your reply - I gave him a thorough check and found that he has a little cut which has scabbed over behin that ear on his neck - it looks like it is a wound .....I have checked his ear again and it appears clean and dry just a scab running along the bits that missing! So I am more convinced now that it was a scrap! ....They are sleeping together this evening - There is two floors to their hutch and sep sleeping areas too! Do you think it might just be hormones?? a little squabble?? or should they be seperated??