Boy Trouble !

[SamK]

Hi guys I have trouble! I recently took on two male guineas from a local rescue, I was assured they got on and to be fair they probably thought they did, the piggies were dumped on their doorstep so there is no history, and its a cat and dog shelter so the pigs were just in a hutch round the back.... Anyway Ive had them two weeks, they're in a six foot cage with two sleeping compartments.... one of them mithers the life out of the other - incessant humping, kicking, charging, head butting..... there has been a couple of episodes of teeth chattering but no fighting - its hard to tell if the picked on piggy is very unhappy
Ive explored various options - my ideal option would be to get them castrated and pair them with a rescue girl - I have the hutches and the time to accommodate two lots - but my local vet surgeries range from £71 - £108! per pig! and PDSA dont do neutering, another
I cant tell how old they are either, they are both quite big, the dominant one is huge! so I don't know if its a testosterone surge and will settle , but the incessant humping and food bullying is bound to stress the other out?
I can split them but it seems unfair to have lone pigs, what can I do? Any advice most welcome!
I didnt expect this when I took them on - Ive had pigs before but just girls

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

I am very sorry; we have good reasons for including only so many rescues in our recommended piggy savvy rescues list!

Could you please add your county to your details, as a lot of any advice and help depends on your location, and what is realistically available and doable for you. Your realistic options can vary widely. But it is worth to explore all options and to think things through.
As to your boys, you may find this thread here helpful. It also helps you to find out whether your underboy is unhappy or not: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/boars-bullying-fighting-fall-outs-and-what-next.127295/
The move to a new home could have just unbalanced the pair if it has come at a difficult point; new territory always demands a renewal of the hierarchy sort-out. By the sound of it, your boys are ready for the snip; this depends usually on the testicles having descended and the boys being healthy and a good weight. It is certainly worth a check whether the bond is stil viable or not.

Neutering can cost between £50 - 108. At the higher end, it often includes post op overnight care if necessary and also a follow-up check, all necessary medication included. You may want to enquire what is all included in the cost.
The key is to find either a general vet that is experienced with guinea pig neutering or a specialist with lots of practice in small furries ops; this will cut down massively on the risks of post op complications. Doing your research and if necessary travelling that bit further is well worth it.
You also have to be aware that there is another 6 weeks post op wait necessary before your boys are 100% safe to go with a girl. One of my own sows is the baby of an over 5 weeks supposedly safe post-op boar (not one of mine, I hasten to add), but I have yet to hear of an accident at over 6 weeks despite most good rescues now practising this deadline - and I would hear of it!

We have got a piggy savvy vet locator at the top bar; is one of them within your reach?
For adding your county, please click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location.

 

[SamK]

Hi Wiebke
Thanks for your reply - I'm afraid I cant afford to pay those kind of vet fees! It wasnt what I had planned! Anyway I have these two now and intend to do all I can for them .... Ive updated my location and will have a read through the link you supplied :-)

 

[Wiebke]

The thread tells you how you can find out whether a relationship is still working and also lists pretty much all the options with their pros and cons if your boys are not getting on.