Is piggie neutering safe?i

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Beccarella

Beccarella

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I am considering getting some of my boys neutered but I've never had one neutered before. I know that operations can be dangerous for guinea pigs so i am a little cautious. Does anyone have any advice or past experiences that will help reassure me etc?

Thank you :)
 
I'm considering having ditto neutered so i can get him a girlfriend as he currently lives a bachelor life as he will not accept a boar into his cage. My vet said the main risks are the anasthesia, and infections. If your piggys are relatively healthy and young i would go ahead with the operation and ensure the piggys cages are disinfected and kept really clean while the wound heals.. It will only be a tiny incision ive been informed. I'm torn whether to have ditto 'done' as he is now 4 years old and it gets riskier the older the piggy is.. What are your reasons for wanting your pigs neutering? If they all live happily together i wouldnt bother unless you are adding sows to the group? :-)
 
It very much depends on the vet - if you can find a vet who has lots of experience and a good track record in complication free piggy neutering ops, then neutering is an option.

Otherwise I would strongly urge you to think twice and thrice about it and rather boar date! The normal operations risks apply, but additionally the risk of post op complications (mainly abscesses, but also swellings due allergies to suture material, internal infections or even gut adhesions; a prolapsed penis and toileting problems can also happen) is quite high, and - from my own experience - not every vet is able to deal with the complications appropriately. My Hywel had a very close shave no thanks to the operating clinic due to a band of swelling that caused extremely painful gut adhesions; if I had relied on the vets who operated on him, he'd have died that weekend. I spent about double the amount on dealing with the complications than for the operation itself. Sadly, this is not an isolated experience. Thankfully, most boars go on to enjoy a life with sows, but more often than it should be, it is not the easy ride you'd wish for and it is not something that should be undertaken lightly.
 
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Why would you want to get your piggies neutered when they are happily living in pairs already? This is only for piggies who cannot live with other boars. It is a big operation and not one to be taken lightly.
 
Unlike with rabbits, neutering guinea pigs does NOT change their behaviour or temper. It only removes the ability to make babies. Neutering boars is only a consideration of you are thinking about pairing up two fallen out boars with a sow each or if you end up for some reason with a single younger boar and have sows otherwise.

You also face a full 6 weeks post op wait before a boar is 100% safe to go with sows. (I have the over 5 weeks post op surprise baby to prove that particular point!)

Because spaying sows is an even more invasive and risky operation, spayed sows are extremely rare. The operation is usually only performed for medical reasons.
 
I have a boar that won't pair up, I have tried and tried and failed every time. He's the only one I've really considered it for as he doesn't seem happy alone.

Piggyfan, I would appreciate it if you weren't so 'sharp' with your responses, it is rather upsetting.
 
I think neutering can go either way personally. I had one that was neutered complication free and one that was a complete nightmare and I mean it. It was such a stressful time and poor Boris went through so much. Personally I think the vet there that performed the operation was out of their depth and it was my mistake for going there. It became very expensive, I think in total it got to £200+ mainly due to the complications.

I'd definitely look round at vets before you make any decisions, ask lots and lots of questions and if it doesn't feel right don't go for it.

Obviously when it does go right it's great, Ed and his lady had no issues and luckily for me Boris is doing fine now and living happily with 3 ladies too, so in the end it all came fine but I don't think I'd do it again.
 
Thanks for your advice everyone, I'm going to watch him and if he starts showing big signs of being lonely I will attempt to find a buddy for him :)
 
Beccarella said:
I have a boar that won't pair up, I have tried and tried and failed every time. He's the only one I've really considered it for as he doesn't seem happy alone.

Piggyfan, I would appreciate it if you weren't so 'sharp' with your responses, it is rather upsetting.
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I did not mean to be sharp. I thought I was helping you. I speak very bluntly. It is just how I speak sadly. I am sorry to upset you.
 
I got Archie to pair with my girls, however I did a lot of research before I decided which practice to get him neutered at. I eventually went to a highly recommended one that was a 40 min bus ride away (luckily Archie is such a chilled little dude). The operation went smoothly and he recovered quickly, however he did develop an abscess in one side which was likely due to the glue they used to externally seal the wound. I'm lucky that I kept a close eye on it and noticed the lump before it got too big and luckily it cleared up without having to undergo another operation to remove the capsule.

I think if you have exhausted all other possibilities, then by all means go for it, but research first. Choose a recommended vets (if you have a rescue near you ask them who they use) and afterwards monitor the wound daily, keeping it clean and make sure the cage is spotless to avoid infection.

It can be done without problems, but it can also be very risky!
 
Have you tried boar dating at one of our recommended rescues yet? It is a lot cheaper and risk free compared to neutering, as the dating happens at the rescue and you do not have to deal with the nerve racking fall out if things don't go to plan; your boy only comes home with a bonded friend.
There is Bramley Cavies in Leeds, Milhaven in Keighley and Barnsley Animal Rescue Charity all within a reasonable reach of you.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=209994852075231951564.0004b8fd9391b4257d8eb&msa=0

Only if that doesn't work out would I consider neutering. Ask those rescues that neuter boars who they use - your best bet for an experienced vet!

I am a big fan of neutered boars (I have had a succession of them in my life), but when it goes wrong, it turns into a real nightmare - not last because it is an unnecessary operation, which weighs heavily on your conscience at the time, I can assure you!

It is great that you are caring about your boy so much!
 
He is a very sweet pig...until I put him with another one haha I would love to find the right pal for him but he sure is making it hard!
Thank you soooo much for checking out rescues near me, I will definitely be trying them.
 
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