I Need As Much Neutering Info And Advice As Possible Please

[Sian25]

Okay so my two boars live side by side as they just can't get along. They do however have floor time together each day and cuddle time together but I can't help thinking they would be happier with a cage mate. After changing my mind a million times and struggling to decide what is for the best I have decided that another boar companion each is not an option incase they fall out later along the lines. I don't have enough space for anymore cages and I couldn't give the guinea pigs back to the rescue as I believe taking on a pet is for life.

So the only other option is to find a suitable sow for each of my boys. I am desperately searching for already spayed sows as neither of my boys are neutered but I'm not having much luck whatsoever.. I'm guessing because spaying is quite a big operation.

Now onto the subject of neutering my boys.. I am literally TERRIFIED. I've spent their whole life trying to wrap them in cotton wool and protect them from anything that could harm them and now I'm considering putting them through an operation that of course carries risk?

Both boys are 2 years old next month so I need honest opinions please. Do you think I should get them neutered or are they happy enough living side by side? What are the risks? HOW COMMON are these risks? I of course would find a cavy savvy vet, my nearest on the vet locator is rose cottage vets in Runcorn, has anyone used these before, particularly for neutering? Also, what is post neutering care like? I'm not sure whatsoever what to expect. Thanks.

 

[MerryPip]

I can understand your worry, the only piggies I have had neutered have been as a last resort too.

The risks are pretty similar to any operation e.g. anaesthetics carry a risk and then you have the risks of infection, abccesses or similar... And to be honest all you can do is minimise those as best you can. Find the best vet you can who has a good track record of neutering piggies if possible and then do the best aftercare you can.

But risks are all relative, I know someone who had two brothers neutered by the same vet at the same time, one had all sorts of complications, one went absolutely swimmingly which shows you just never can tell.

I don't know if this will make things any easier but sometimes we just need to go for it and do the best for our boys... Good luck!

 

[Deleted member 114675]

I congratulate you in looking into this in great detail before going ahead. I suppose the next question is whether anyone has used Rose Cottage vets in Runcorn recently ?

 

[Wiebke]

Sadly, spayed sows are about as rare as gold dust in this country, as it is a much more invasive operation than a neuter. The only rescue in the whole country with a spaying policy sadly closed down two years ago.

Your boys are still a good age for the snip. With a good vet, the success rate is dramatically higher. there is however never a total guarantee for a risk-free operation, but some very good vets come pretty close to a 100% success rate without any complications.
A few guinea pigs can suffer a bad reaction to GA with the best of vets (this also happens with human operations). This is one important area where choosing your vet makes the biggest difference. A good vet is much quicker and more efficient when operating, hence the duration of the GA is a lot shorter, and therefore the risk of complications from that.
Abscesses in the groin area are the most common post-op complication. Thankfully, there are stronger antibiotics these days, so only VERY few boars die from abscesses and infections anymore compared to just 5 years ago when there was just baytril, which was often not strong enough.
However, any operation is always a leap of faith and much more so any elective surgery.
For post-op care, you want to have everything ready to step in with syringe feeding if there is a problem with the eating and be able to see your vet as soon as there is a problem (but you want to have everything ready for that anyway in case of an emergency). Ideally, there should be no problem and your boys should carry on as if nothing had happened.
Our step-by-step guide is very comprehensive and includes tips on post-op care: Complete Syringe Feeding Guide

Neutering is not for everybody. There is another option for you if you don't mind travelling further and even make it a day out, and that is dating at a good rescue with lots of experience in boar bonding. As with finding a good vet, it is well worth going to the right place.
Sadly, there is no good rescue anywhere near you, but if you are prepared to travel as far as Milhaven GPR in Keighley or don't min waiting a bit until the rescue born babies in the pipeline at The Potteries GPR are old enough for bonding, you can find each of them a friend that way. I have travelled as far as Milhaven myself (over 3 hours on the train!) to pick up my Pili Pala and my Papi from there, so that is not a problem; several of my piggies have come from even further and I have successfully transported piggies between 7 weeks and 9 years old over comparable distances.
We have a number of forum members who have successfully rebonded their fallen-out or bereaved boars at Milhaven.

 

[Sian25]

Thank you so much everyone. I've not actually used rose cottage vets but I did find it on the vet recommender but have no idea about their experience in neutering. How would I find this out? Because surely if I rang them and asked, they would tell me they have good success rates. Surely they're not going to tell me if they've had bad results

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much everyone. I've not actually used rose cottage vets but I did find it on the vet recommender but have no idea about their experience in neutering. How would I find this out? Because surely if I rang them and asked, they would tell me they have good success rates. Surely they're not going to tell me if they've had bad results

Good vet clinics will give you a very detailed account about what procedures they use for the operation and what kind of care during and post-op your piggies are going to receive. They are also pretty honest about the risk factor. it is always worth enquiring.

 

[Hannah Boyd]

I had my boar neutered a few years ago and it was the best decision I ever made for him, he now has two girlfriends and is happier than ever, although they do boss him around! I spent lots of emails and phone calls speaking to the vet practice before I made the decision to go ahead with the op. Never feel like you are asking too many questions and make sure you get answers. A good vet will be honest with you.

Post-op, my piggie had a small amount of bleeding but the vets were always on the end of the phone and were very helpful each time I called in a panic! I kept my boy on white towels and indoors in a relatively small cage so that he did not move too much. I also tried to keep his floor as free as possible of potential problematic items such as hay. Also keeping the area as hygienic as possible helps to reduce the risk of infection.

Long shot but if you are looking for some sows, there are 3 in PaH Meanwood who need some TLC.

Hope this helps!

 

[Cavy Lover]

When I neutered my boar Peaches (I thought he was a girl) the only choices I had were to neuter him or rehome him. So I brought him in and he only had to go in for a few hours. I was so worried during the day when was having his operation.When I collected him he was on Baytril and something else. At first he needed loads of cuddles cause he was really sleepy. After a day or so he was fine. I checked his staples everyday to make sure nothing was stuck in them. And then he got the staples removed and he is now living with my sows. As others have said it is different for other pigs. Good Luck!