New babies.

[Kellykels]

Womble was getting lonely so I got (rescued from a bad situation) two new baby boars. (Not gender verified, too young to tell.)

Before I introduce them to Womble they will get gender checked again.
I xeno'd (parasite treated them) because they were riddled with lice and I regularly Xeno Womble as well.

One of the babies has a very sore eye and has been checked over by the vet.
He is on antibiotic eye drops (Isathal), antibiotic (baytrail) and probiotic (fibreplex).

I was told that the babies were 3-4 months old and I disagreed because they were 260g when I got them last Saturday and have just reached 300g yesterday.

On a happier note, the yellow/brown one is called Pinto-bean or Pinto for short and the black one is Truffle and they will be treated like Kings (or Queens) from now on.

I have included a picture of their temporary set up.
If they do not get on with Womble, we are going to set up a bigger, double sided cage in the living room, but we would need to move things around. Whilst they're small we're trying to get them used to being in a close vicinity and hopefully combining the cage of all goes well.

Womble has reacted well is having company, he went quiet for a few days after Stripe passed away. Lost his squeak, but found it again when he heard his new neighbours. I got the babies quickly because I was concerned about him. I would have preferred to grieve a little longer but I did not want Womble to get too sad and become depressed or ill.

The babies are very active despite the illness and I already love them so much, but still miss my darling Stripe terribly and tell them about their other brothers behaviour if they remind me of him!

Womble being a legend.

 

[Siikibam]

At that weight (guesstimating they’re 3-4 weeks of age) you should be able to sex them. Compare them to Womble. Presence/absence of the penis ridge. Or presence/absence of the fleshy seal inside the slit. I would do that tomorrow as a matter of urgency. I’m assuming (correct me if I’m wrong) that they were from a breeder or private owner. Did they tell you they’re boars?

Another thing to watch out for is when they hit their teens. They may be okay for now being so young. But if either of them tries to take the ‘helm’ and become top pig (assuming Womble is) then that could pose problems for the bonds. You can try and bond them all if you want to, but just keep that in mind for a little into the future (4 months+).

They’re absolutely gorgeous though. Enjoy them as they grow up so quickly!

Last thing, almost forgot! Please don’t treat Womble with xeno unless he needs it. Doing so can cause the parasites to build up a resistance to it. Then when you really need it, it won’t work.

More photos to drool over please

 

[Kellykels]

@Siikibam
I treated Womble because they were in the cage next door and he did start scratching and yes Womble is used to being Boss (with a capital B) pig.

I lost my confidence with sexing because I thought they were boys, however I did not get that greater look at them, but the vet thought they were girls, but then quickly said he was not sure and to bring them back in two weeks time. (He was not our usual vet, as our usual vet was not in).

I understand when they go through their teenage years their dynamic may change.

 

[Siikibam]

You should get him looked at before you decide to treat. Have a read of the sexing guide with pictures linked below. If you can post clear photos we can help you. But hands on is always the best way to go. I was meant to link it in but I forgot. It’s late and that’s the excuse I’m sticking to
Illustrated Sexing Guide

 

[Kellykels]

You should get him looked at before you decide to treat. Have a read of the sexing guide with pictures linked below. If you can post clear photos we can help you. But hands on is always the best way to go. I was meant to link it in but I forgot. It’s late and that’s the excuse I’m sticking to
Illustrated Sexing Guide

Womble got looked at as he was treated. The vet xeno'd him.

I have read a few sexing guides. I have just lost my confidence and if I get it wrong it's a massive problem. I cannot cope with pregnant guinea pigs. I haven't got the space. Thank you for the link. I tend to 2nd guess myself all the time. I don't want to get it wrong.

 

[Siikibam]

That’s okay. We all do it! Practise is all I’ll say. Alternatively could you get them to a cage savvy vet?

 

[Kellykels]

That’s okay. We all do it! Practise is all I’ll say. Alternatively could you get them to a cage savvy vet?

We have one for Wimbledon and Stripe (rip) about 30 minutes away. They have their routine vet and their exotic vet. I will make an appointment as soon as I can. I will have to register them.

 

[Siikibam]

I would register with an exotic as well. Did you check the list on here?

 

[Kellykels]

I would register with an exotic as well. Did you check the list on here?

I have an exotic vet at Birch heath. I have two vets. I just need to register them. My routine vet is treating the lice and the injury from the scratching. If it doesn't clear up with what we're giving them at the moment the next port of call is Birch heath. I will be calling tomorrow morning to register them, they also sent off Stripe's body to be cremated (The pig I lost) so it will give me a chance to enquire about the ashes at the same time.

 

[Kellykels]

@Siikibam
Apparently my 'baby boars' are 'baby sows'. Lol. I thought something was up and I did not want to put them together before it was confirmed.
Now to get them "fixed" so they can go in with Womble.

 

[Siikibam]

Spays aren’t a routine operation and are usually reserved for when necessary. It’s a more involved operation than a neuter. How old is Womble? Depending on that, I’d consider getting him neutered before I looked at spaying the sows.

 

[Kellykels]

Spays aren’t a routine operation and are usually reserved for when necessary. It’s a more involved operation than a neuter. How old is Womble? Depending on that, I’d consider getting him neutered before I looked at spaying the sows.

Yeah I'm literally thinking on this now. Wombles age is uncertain. We believe he's 3-4 and we worry how he will do under anaesthetic. I was going to phone the exotic vet for some advice.

 

[Siikibam]

There have been boars on here who’ve been neutered in ‘later’ life. I believe Ted of @Bill & Ted was 4 or 5 when the plum fairy visited. I would think on that seriously.

 

[Kellykels]

There have been boars on here who’ve been neutered in ‘later’ life. I believe Ted of @Bill & Ted was 4 or 5 when the plum fairy visited. I would think on that seriously.

I know it's just with the loss of Stripe we are apprehensive.

 

[Siikibam]

I understand your apprehension. As Wiebke mentioned, if he’s healthy with no underlying conditions, and the vet is experienced, then those count towards a positive outcome. Yes your sows are younger, but it is a more invasive operation.

It’s a tough one so all the best coming to a decision. There is no rush as side by side is good for staving off loneliness. With regards Truffle squeezing through, you could overlap two grids at the divider section. That way they can’t push their noses etc through.

 

[Kellykels]

I understand your apprehension. As Wiebke mentioned, if he’s healthy with no underlying conditions, and the vet is experienced, then those count towards a positive outcome. Yes your sows are younger, but it is a more invasive operation.

It’s a tough one so all the best coming to a decision. There is no rush as side by side is good for staving off loneliness. With regards Truffle squeezing through, you could overlap two grids at the divider section. That way they can’t push their noses etc through.

That's a good idea with the grids, I have extra grids! I did a temporary solution of zip tying a sturdy piece of cardboard over the area. Your idea ensures that they get to interact through the bars again. Which saddened me as it was cute to see them interact.
Can you show me an example of this? So I 100% know what I am going for?

 

[Bill & Ted]

There have been boars on here who’ve been neutered in ‘later’ life. I believe Ted of @Bill & Ted was 4 or 5 when the plum fairy visited. I would think on that seriously.

Yes Ted was natured after he lost his brother Bill in February. Ted was just 5 years old. He managed to operation well, with no side effects at all. As long as you know the vet has proven experience and success at neutering boars than all should go well and 6 weeks later you can introduce him to his new wives!

 

[Kellykels]

Yes Ted was natured after he lost his brother Bill in February. Ted was just 5 years old. He managed to operation well, with no side effects at all. As long as you know the vet has proven experience and success at neutering boars than all should go well and 6 weeks later you can introduce him to his new wives!

Thank you for your reply. I just worry about complications. I just keep thinking the worst will happen. We have not had good luck with the guineas these last few months. I will have to stay optimistic and hope nothing goes wrong. <3 Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[Merab]

One tactic I use for a difficult decision is to make a decision and then live with it for a week.
If it feels comfortable and right after that then go ahead.
If, after the week it doesn’t feel right then you make a different choice.

 

[Siikibam]

Complications can occur with the sows as well. Wishing you all the best with your decision.

 

[Kellykels]

Complications can occur with the sows as well. Wishing you all the best with your decision.

I know but I love Womble so much. If the girls passed I would be very sad but if Womble passed I would be absolutely devastated.

 

[Kellykels]

One tactic I use for a difficult decision is to make a decision and then live with it for a week.
If it feels comfortable and right after that then go ahead.
If, after the week it doesn’t feel right then you make a different choice.

It's the consequences if something happened to Womble I would be worried about. I know if it all went well and they could live together as a little unit it would be great. <3

 

[Bill & Ted]

That’s totally understandable, Womble is your special boy. It’s a very difficult decision to make x

 

[Kellykels]

That’s totally understandable, Womble is your special boy. It’s a very difficult decision to make x

He is. He has always been my favourite. I know I shouldn't have favourites but he is such a character.