Neutering of Boars

[Geeky]

Just wondered about the experiences people have had with the neutering of boars. I have a couple of boars that I want to get neutered so that (after a few weeks) they can each live with their own group of females. Has anyone experienced problems after the operation? Also how much have people paid for the operation?

I do have an excellent vet who can carry out the surgery, and have had rabbits neutered before, but never cavies, so any comments are welcome!

 

[HeatherRose]

It cost about $150 each for my boys in Kentucky in the US. Kristoff came through like nothing happened, but Olaf had trouble waking up from the anesthesia and was shaking and breathing weird for two days after, he is fine now and in 2 weeks will get his wife or wives! I’m really glad I got them neutered because they had a big fight about a week ago and both had little marks on their face afterwards. They have been separated since so I’m glad I have the option to put them with a girl or two each now. They were litter mates and I guess are becoming teenagers together, I guess the hormone thing is still a thing even when they are neutered.

 

[VickiA]

It depends where you are in the UK and your vets but in the hands of experienced vets the surgery can be relatively uncomplicated. The vets that the Potteries GPR use for all their boar neutering charges £55 for the procedure. There have been many boars neutered over the years and only 3 have had issues to my knowledge/recollection. The price may be on a charity basis.
However piggies are prone to abscesses after any surgery and @Flutterby is currently dealing with post op abscesses in her recently neutered boar. My own vets will prescribe a course of antibiotics on a prophylactic basis post neutering to prevent abscess formation but some vets won’t.
I’d just want to know how many procedures the vet has carried out and what their morbidity and mortality rates are after the procedure.

 

[Flutterby]

I have dealt/ still dealing with two post op infections. As long as you keep the area clean and their enclosure clean whilst healing then the rest is really out of your hands. Most boars do absolutely fine but like any operation human or otherwise there can be complications. Bruno my lad is currently 5 weeks post op and has been through a touch time with two abscesses but fingers crossed he is now on the right path. I definitely agree with @VickiA that your vet needs to be experienced in guinea pig surgery and have a good track record, the last thing you want is a vet inexperienced in guinea pigs botching up the surgery. Even through the occasional post op struggles I have had I would still happily sent a boar in for neutering if it is the best option for them. In fact my new boar was neutered last Tuesday and is so far doing fine (touch wood). If you do get them neutered though you do need to be prepared for the possibility of post op infection and abscesses and the cost that is involved in treating them. So far Bruno's treatment (not including his operation to neuter) has cost just over £300 so it is something you need to know about before doing the surgery.