Neutering age of boars

[Caviesgalore (EPGPR)]

As the title says really. A friend has recently lost one of her older boars and is keen to pair a younger male she has with the grieving widow. The youngster is due to be neutered and is probably about 16 weeks old - he was a rescue so his true age is unknown. Having never actually had a boy "done" (ours have always come to us already neutered) can anyone with experience give me an idea of how old a boy should be? As far as I know his bits are all in place so I'm guessing there is nothing to stop a cavy savvy vet from performing the op?

Any suggestions gratefully received.

 

[AndreaJane]

Our vet ( cavy savvy ) said around 6 months.

 

[Lisajazz]

Mine does it from 4 months

 

[Wiebke]

Between 4-6 months onwards. The decision rests on the vet and is based on physical development, general health and weight. Any boar has to be OKed for the operation by a vet.

 

[Caviesgalore (EPGPR)]

Thanks ladies, I thought it would be around that sort of age. My friend is going to take her youngster to the vet for an MOT, she has had him for about a month or so now and has been building him up - he is turning into a very handsome young man.

I will let her know your thoughts so she can discuss things with Nicola our vet - it would probably be a good idea for her to weigh him too, if she hasn't already, to see if he is a good size for his estimated age.

 

[Guinea pig slave]

We adopted two young boars at six weeks old from the RSPCA and they had to be neutered from 16 weeks of age.
I put it off and off and off and took the plunge to book them in at six months old with a brilliant vet.
They were absolutely fine |)
With good post op care and a good vet, it is pretty straight forward although I went into meltdown rolleyes

 

[Goldie]

My vet recommends between 6 to 8 months as the right age.
In my opinion sixteen weeks is too young as the boar hasn't reached maturity.

Obviously neutering carries risks so you have to weigh up the pros and cons. Please do check out your vet's experience at neutering guinea pigs. Enquire how many they carry out each year, their success rate, their pre-operation tests and their post-operation care. If you have a good vet and feel happy with everything then you can make your mind up.

I have had quite a few boars neutered in the past and they have lived very happy lives with their wife or wives. I appreciate neutering isn't for everyone but I am very happy with the outcome for my boars.

 

[Caviesgalore (EPGPR)]

My vet recommends between 6 to 8 months as the right age.
In my opinion sixteen weeks is too young as the boar hasn't reached maturity.

Obviously neutering carries risks so you have to weigh up the pros and cons. Please do check out your vet's experience at neutering guinea pigs. Enquire how many they carry out each year, their success rate, their pre-operation tests and their post-operation care. If you have a good vet and feel happy with everything then you can make your mind up.

I have had quite a few boars neutered in the past and they have lived very happy lives with their wife or wives. I appreciate neutering isn't for everyone but I am very happy with the outcome for my boars.

Thanks for your input Goldie. I totally agree with you that anyone considering having a boar neutered should seek out a very cavy savvy vet, and my friend and I are very lucky to share one such vet, Nicola has performed numerous piggy castrations. My friend takes in all the local waifs and strays, who are generally older than her current little chap, hence the age query as her boys have generally been mature adults when she has had them "done". I am not 100% sure about his age as I haven't seen him, the vet will obviously, weigh and assess him when he goes in for his MOT.

She has recently lost one of her older chaps and is hoping to bond the new fella with his grieving wife/s - she also knows that she will have to wait 6 weeks post op before bonding begins.