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Neutering

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dangerman

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In regards to my pets at home thread Our new male pig will be going to the vets this weekend (assuming we adopt him ok) for a health check to make sure he is ok.

At the same time we will be asking about getting him in to be neutered. I have already spoken to them about cost etc.

Assuming that there are no issues with his leg how soon after adopting him should I look at having the operation?

Should I let him settle in or should I do it pretty soon so that he can settle in and recover at the same time?
 
If there is no option of bonding him with another boar from a rescue and having two separate pairs then i think nuertering would be an option as he can then live with your 2 girlies, with regards to how soon, it will depend on his age and general health, but its tricky as to how soon, obviously the longer you wait the longer he will be on his own, but weather to get everything done ASAP and then let then him settle or to wait a bit and then do it, maybe someone else might be able to advise.

xx
 
Sadly I don't have the space nor the cubes to include a fourth pIg. It wouldn't be fair so the only way really is to have him neutered.

He will have to live away from the girls for a while anyway due to lack of space so from that point of view the quicker the better really.
 
Ok, i was thinking it might be better to get everything done in one hit then when he is home and recovering you can start the bonding period (with you ad him not the girls) with no more stress or upheavel, i just wonder wit what he has been through at the vets this week, the stress of moving, another vet trip for a check up then a nueter shortly after would be too much? xx
 
Yeah it's a tricky one. On the one hand, there might be wisdom in just gettig everything done at once so his recovery and settling in period are the same thing. That way he dones't get settled in then have to go through the trauma of being neutered.

On the other hand, if he's had a rough time of it, he might benefit from a bit of slow settling in and stability for a month or so. I don't think a month is all that long a time to be on his own. Especially as, in the long run, he's going to have a much better quality of life with you. :)
 
My lad is getting done on Friday morning. Now I know he has to wait 6 weeks before he can go in with the girls. Why is it so long? I could understand 6 weeks with the snip to allow remaining sperm to leave the tubes, but with castration, his 2 veg are removed, so why the wait?
 
crumpets said:
It really depends on what you want to do in the future. If you want to have more than 2 pigs then a neutered boar and sows would make a nice group, its harder to have a group of males and tend to lead to trouble.

However anaesthetics in guinea pigs carry a high risk so if this is the route you plan to take make sure you find a guinea pig savy vet. You would also have to wait after he is neutered before introducing him to a female as they still have sperm in the ducts that can survive up to 6 weeks post castration. Some sites will say 2-4 but I always go with 6 to be on the safe side.
There will be strong views on castration but my own is that is it has to be judged on what you plan in the future, if you want a herd of pigs or just 2.

F.A.O - The highway man - Castration will not change his behaviour and he won't be more accepting of males because of it, territorial behaviour tends to be down to personality, space and food supply.

Use a rescue to help you locate another pig for your own, if its a boar they may offer a boar dating service, then if you do have problems you have someone to go back to. There are lots of pigs in rescue looking for homes.
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Copied Crumpets helpful post from another thread.
 
The Highway Man said:
My lad is getting done on Friday morning. Now I know he has to wait 6 weeks before he can go in with the girls. Why is it so long? I could understand 6 weeks with the snip to allow remaining sperm to leave the tubes, but with castration, his 2 veg are removed, so why the wait?
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The various sources vary in their opinion but it's generally accepted that sperm can survive in the penile tract of a guinea pig for up to 6 weeks. That means that, for up to six weeks following the operation, your boar could still impregnate a sow.
 
What about if they don't get on? there is no saying your girls will accept a male.

Wouldn't it be a better idea to get a neutered male from a rescue and ask the rescue to introduce them.
 
x-vic-x said:
What about if they don't get on? there is no saying your girls will accept a male.

Wouldn't it be a better idea to get a neutered male from a rescue and ask the rescue to introduce them.
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Sounds good in an ideal world but what then happens to this poor guy in pets ay home?

It's a risk but I've got to take it to get him awy from there
 
WHy dont you just wait until he has had the check up and then decide? You can ask the vet their advice and that can help you to make your decision. I am so happy you are adopting this little one and he will be loved and cared for.
 
mikulinek said:
The various sources vary in their opinion but it's generally accepted that sperm can survive in the penile tract of a guinea pig for up to 6 weeks. That means that, for up to six weeks following the operation, your boar could still impregnate a sow.
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i've just been reading that boars can still get an erection following castration. That surprised me. I thought the op was supposed to stop that!
 
A vasectomy wouldn't but castration would. ;)
 
x-vic-x said:
What about if they don't get on? there is no saying your girls will accept a male.

Wouldn't it be a better idea to get a neutered male from a rescue and ask the rescue to introduce them.
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I second this, I'd never get a male neutered myself again, you assume beforehand that everything will be okay post op and I learnt the hard way that's often it's not. Boris got quite a large abscess, which was very worrying and created a lot of extra expense. Luckily he's okay now and has started meeting his new lady friends but I think you have to seriously consider the risks before you go ahead with it. I'm not saying don't do it, just make sure it's 100% the best option and you are 100% happy with the vet performing the operation before you consent.

When I got my other neutered male Ed, from Walsall RSPCA, they made sure he was fully recovered after his op before I picked him up, gave advice on introductions and I had absolutely no issues/problems. He bonded with his wife pig straight away. Ed was a £25 donation to the RSPCA and Walsall branch do a fantastic job, it was well worth it.
 
Fully agree with what you are saying.

However, this situation is slightly different in that although I was planning to add a neutered boar, this pig needs to get out of that shop and at the minute it seems I'm the only one who is willing to provide that.

Maybe adopting this guy isn't the right thing, I don't know. :{
 
i had my boar neutered without any problems whatsoever. also, one of blossom's babies (the piggy i took in) was neutered at the age of just 12 weeks. this was because the other baby boar who lived with him died suddenly and now he will be living with a little sow (geena) once his 6 weeks are up. even at that tender age he was able to be neutered and very successfully too.
i wouldn't hesitate to have another boar neutered. i have a very experienced vet who i ask advice from and know that he gives me his honest opinion. i bet your little one would love to have a couple of wifepigs:(|) please don't think you are doing the wrong thing by having him. he really needs you and you seem to really want him. good luck with everything - i hope it all turns out well for
 
bsjlmb said:
i had my boar neutered without any problems whatsoever. also, one of blossom's babies (the piggy i took in) was neutered at the age of just 12 weeks. this was because the other baby boar who lived with him died suddenly and now he will be living with a little sow (geena) once his 6 weeks are up. even at that tender age he was able to be neutered and very successfully too.
i wouldn't hesitate to have another boar neutered. i have a very experienced vet who i ask advice from and know that he gives me his honest opinion. i bet your little one would love to have a couple of wifepigs:(|) please don't think you are doing the wrong thing by having him. he really needs you and you seem to really want him. good luck with everything - i hope it all turns out well for
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Maybe it isn't fair having him neutered. What I won't do though is rush into things. I think I will see how he settles first and then go from there.

I notice you're from wolves, is it possible you could recommend your vet at least that way I can then get an idea and more than one opinion.
 
dangerman said:
Maybe it isn't fair having him neutered. What I won't do though is rush into things. I think I will see how he settles first and then go from there.

I notice you're from wolves, is it possible you could recommend your vet at least that way I can then get an idea and more than one opinion.
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i come from cannock originally and have used the same vet for over 30 years. i still travel there now. they are in penkridge this is a link to the site. i usually see craig - simply because he knows the history of most of my pets. but i have also seen others and they are equally as good. i personally would not go anywhere else.
http://www.straitonvets.co.uk/about_straitons.htm
 
The Highway Man said:
i've just been reading that boars can still get an erection following castration. That surprised me. I thought the op was supposed to stop that!
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No no, they can still perform normally, they just can't produce sperm - it's actually good in terms of their relationship with any sows.

This is going to sound geeky but anyway... Castration will effectively stop a male getting an erection in animals in which testosterone is only created in the testes. In guinea pigs, there is a separate male gland (the grease gland) that also produces testosterone. That's why neutering doesn't alter boar behaviour.

Sorry, it's interesting to me but probably boring to most poeple :)
 
dangerman said:
Maybe it isn't fair having him neutered. What I won't do though is rush into things. I think I will see how he settles first and then go from there.

I notice you're from wolves, is it possible you could recommend your vet at least that way I can then get an idea and more than one opinion.
Click to expand...

I think it's great that you're rescuing this little guy from P@H. I shudder to think what happens to a lot of P@H adoption pets. totally off tpic but I hope everything goes well for you and him whatever you decide to do with the little guy.
 
mikulinek said:
No no, they can still perform normally, they just can't produce sperm - it's actually good in terms of their relationship with any sows.

This is going to sound geeky but anyway... Castration will effectively stop a male getting an erection in animals in which testosterone is only created in the testes. In guinea pigs, there is a separate male gland (the grease gland) that also produces testosterone. That's why neutering doesn't alter boar behaviour.

Sorry, it's interesting to me but probably boring to most poeple :)
Click to expand...

That's very interesting, thanks for letting me know about that. ;)
 
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