Boys fighting

[meandmine]

This is the second time that my boys fought to the point of moderate injuries. The first time Edward bit Jasper on the mouth/whisker area and at the same time Jasper bit the tip off Ed`s tail off. (luckily I was taking my VOA classes so I just brought them to school with me) free vet advice and we treated them in class.
Tonight I came home to find that Edward is now missing a large chunk of his ear which is no biggie, no blood loss and will probably be completely healed in a day or so. Now Jasper has another injury identical to the first time they fought.
They are only 3 and a half months old, I have never had my rats fight like these 2. I was a breeder for a number of years and have seen quite abit of strange things but this is just rowdy. I would rather not but I am thinking that the best coarse of action would be to neuter them.
Any ideas as to why they are fighting would be appreciated.
Thanks.
C.

 

[jorats]

That's quite odd behaviour for their age. Could they have mites/lice? I'd do a treatment just to be safe and if that doesn't change, definitely neuter them.

 

[meandmine]

nope not mites, if that were the case there would be signs of scratching and blood spray. This is physically fighting. Which is puzzling because they show no other nastiness. Sometimes I wish they could talk and just tell us what the problem is.

 

[jorats]

Blood spray? Some rats don't necessarily show signs of having buggies. Check for small pinprick scabs.

 

[Tarah]

none of my rats who have mites have had "blood spray",

 

[meandmine]

What I meant by blood spray is you know when thier scratching so hard it seem like blood droplets around thier cage? They have no scabs, no signs of scratching at all. I've had experience with mites, this is not mites but actual fighting.
I just separated them because now Edward is all fluffy and panting,which I believed to be stress related, so I've brought him to spend the night with me in my room and I will be checking on him throughout the night and then I'll bring him into to school again for a physical. I done a thorough exam and besides the bites to his ears, he has a few bite marks on his tail, nothing at all to his body that would cause internal injuries. What I would give to have an xray machine at home. :sad3:

 

[jorats]

Sometimes rats with bugs can make them become grumpy and start fighting with each other but since you know they don't have any buggies, that can't be it.
How big is their cage?

 

[meandmine]

I think just out of an abundance of caution I'll bring Edward to school tommorow and then make an appt to have them both neutered.

 

[meandmine]

:happydance: Well the boys are doing great! Edward is completely healed now and Jasper will be good in another day or so. Brought them to scholl and they were given a go. I'll be bringing them back when starts the pocketpet section and I get to teach everyone how to properly restrained a small animal without losing a finger! :giggle:

 

[henry's_mum]

healed? did they get neutered?
i'm glad to hear they are doing better!
:joy:

 

[jorats]

That's great news for the boys!

 

[Joanne]

That's great that they're neutered now. Hopefully that will address all this scrapping.

 

[mamarat]

:joy: for happy boys.