Is neutering the answer?

[jenny2025]

Hello Everyone

I took in a guinea pig from a friend about four months ago. They had the best intentions, but I don't think they were very knowledgeable about guinea pig care. When Teddy arrived, he had mites, overgrown nails, hair loss, and a constant unpleasant smell.

Since then, he has been treated for the mites and has had several veterinary checks. His hair is growing back, his nails have been trimmed, and overall he seems much healthier and happier.

However, I've noticed that he struggles to fully pass his droppings. They often get stuck, and I frequently have to clean him with cotton wool and help him evacuate them. I've been reading about this online and have found mixed information. Some sources suggest that neutering can help with the problem, while others say that once it has developed, neutering won't correct it and can only help prevent it from getting worse.

Neutering seems like it could be a good option regardless, as I certainly don't want the condition to deteriorate further. However, I'm wondering whether it can actually improve the issue and help him pass his droppings more normally, or if it's unlikely to reverse the problem once it's already present.

Teddy is 2½ years old, so I'm hoping he isn't too old for the procedure and that the risks would be relatively low.

I'd be very grateful for any advice, experiences, or opinions. Thank you.

 

[Piggies&buns]

I’m sorry to hear this

Impaction is caused by muscle loss. It’s unusual for it to happen in younger boars though. Neutering won’t help restore the muscle so it won’t be able to fix the issue. The sac is smaller in neutered boars but neutered boars can still suffer with impaction.

Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths
Impaction: Practical Care and Diet (with videos)

He isn’t too old to be neutered though. As long as you have a knowledgeable and experienced vet, and teddy is healthy then the surgery is as safe as it is going to be.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi

Impaction does affect about 10% of all boars, mostly with age related muscle loss at the back end and sometimes long term malnutrition/lack of exercise in younger boars the most common causes. Occasionally, it can also happen as post-op complication.

Here are our tips for impaction care, which means a very regular, unvarying, mainly hay based diet: Boar Problems 'Down Below' (Penis, Impaction, Testicles & Neutering, Mammary Tumours & Grease Gland)

Impaction does affect neutered boars just as much as full boars but what you don't have is the extended anal sac that is formed by the descending testicles and that contracts again in neutered boars after the removal of testicles. Their anal sac is about pea sized, which admittedly makes cleaning it out a lot easier.

I've had impaction in several older neutered boys and in one younger one who was stuck in a hamster cage for the first 2 years on a very limited diet and whose back muscles needed building up with exercise (being paired up with babies and having daily roaming time took care of that) but then Dylan's muscles disappeared in older age again. Nevertheless, he lived to 6 years of age.

I hope that this explains the conflicting information. Both are right - impaction doesn't disappear with neutering but it becomes much less of a problem to service.

That said, we have seen overall less cases of severe impaction in recent years due to a major shift in the diet from a pellet and veg heavy to a mainly hay based diet with limited veg and forage plus no or only very few pellets over the last 10-15 years in combination with a general shift to larger cages and companionship, which allow for more exercise.
The shift cannot prevent impaction altogether but it can to a good extent prevent the more severe forms of it. A good diet can also reduce initially and slow down the development of more severe impaction that needs servicing daily or even several times daily.

Here is our comprehensive neutering guide: Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

It is great that you are trying your best for your new boy and are exploring all possible avenues.

You will have to weigh up the impact of impaction with the possible risk of post-neutering complication or - in the worst case - a certain risk of life. Finding a good neutering vet and talking to them about your particular problem first is paramount.