Re-integrating separated cagemates

[Scott]

I have two adult male rats who, until very recently, had never been apart more than a few minutes. They wrestled and had occasional spats and skirmishes, but were very close. Then about two weeks ago, I found an abscess on one of their necks and posted about it on the forum.

The good news is that the abscess is completely healed after draining, antibiotics, and daily flushing. However, the vet recommended that I separate the rats while the wound healed, so the injured ratty got his own little sick house away from his brother.

They've been playing together nightly, and they've started struggling - not violently, but enough to concern me, and the other rat keeps going for the recently injured rat's neck. (We're not sure if the original wound was from a dominance struggle or not, but it's honestly the only way I can think of that he could have been cut.)

I'd obviously like to reintegrate the pair, as I don't think getting to play together for one nightly playshift is enough social contact. It also makes me sad that they were so close and now don't get along as well. They seriously used to be inseparable.

Suggestions?

 

[jorats]

How long have they been getting their nightly play time?
How long were they separated? Next time for future reference, we never separate rats, it causes them more stress than good.
You'll need to give the cage a really good scrub down and treat it like fresh intros.

 

[Aida]

I'm glad he healed well!

I'm pretty sure if you re-introduce them like new(though it may be a pain), they'll get along quickly.

 

[Scott]

They've been playing together again since the day he went to the vet, i.e., there was never an interruption in anything but their living arrangements. They've been separated since November 19th. I've never done fresh intros (have had ferrets forever, but these are my first rats) so I'll have to read up on that.

 

[jorats]

Oh boy, ten days is a lot. But they have pretty much been having their daily intros so I'd just scrub down the cage and add them and watch them carefully.