A question about neutering older boars

[Liane]

Nelson recently lost his best friend, Freddie and we now have two options: find a new cagemate or neuter Nelson so he can live with my girls. The problem is, Nelson is nearly five years old.

Does anyone have any experience of neutering older boars? I've not yet heard back from Simon (Internet and snow problems) and we have had little success finding a companion. Is the snip riskier with pigs of Nelson's age?

 

[Knocknamuck]

Liane,

There is another option.....

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?86463-Suprelorin-male-contraceptive-implant


It worked for my 4 year old boar and I would definitely use it again.

 

[Liane]

Hmm I'm not sure. I would be concerned as its not licensed or fully tested - I cannot risk it failing and my girls getting pregnant. My girls are 2-3 yrs old and have never had babies, what if it failed and all five got pregnant? Even one baby per sow would give me five more piggies I couldn't afford to keep.

I think my only options are getting lucky with a boar friend, or neutering. But thank you for the suggestion

 

[MargaretB]

I would get him a boar friend. I wouldn't be happy putting him through such an op. at his age.

 

[Knocknamuck]

That's no problem - I can understand your reasons. When I was researching options there seemed to be a range of opinions on neutering older boars - some people were totally happy with it, some had had one bad experience which put them off. My vet was very happy to neuter my Cuthbert even though he was almost 4 as he was very healthy and big. If your Nelson is healthy then I expect that your vet will advise you to go ahead with it.

Boar dating might be an alternative option, as I'm sure you're aware. Good luck with whatever you decide.