Re-bonding 2 boys

[devonbelle]

I have decided to try to re-bond my 2 guinea pigs, Bill and Ben.
We got them when they were about 3 months old and they lived very happily together for about 3/4 months until one day Bill started to have scatches and cuts. We think Ben decided he wanted a girlfriend and Bill, being a boy, didn't want to be it! :{
One day Bill had a huge lump bitten out of his side so we separated them and they have lived like that ever since.
We had Ben neutered which appears to have calmed his aggressive streak but now, whenever they see each other, Bill starts with the teeth chattering and bottom swaying.
We have tried bathing them together, dipping their bottoms in lavender etc.
Today I tried putting them either side of a flat plate with parsley on (their fave) and letting them eat together. This went well until they got down to the last few sprigs when Bill started with the chattering and swaying and they both headed towards each other. We kept them apart and now I wonder if there is any hope for them to be together again.
The vet has suggested neutering Bill too but with all the problems we have had with Ben and his abscesses, I wonder if it would be worthwhile.

So, what do you think? Can they be re-introduced? And how is best? At what stage should I intervene between them? (I'm probably a little too cautious as I worry about them being hurt!)
Is it a good idea to have Bill neutered too? Or are they destined to live single piggy lives?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

[flintstones]

Don't neuter him unless you want to pair him with a girl, it will make no difference to the pig.

 

[Wiebke]

I would not try to re-introduce; piggies that have fallen out with bloody bites usually won't be able to live peacefully together again. They can live side by side with interacting through bars, but having their own territory. At most, the may be able to share run time under supervision.

Neutering won't change their attitudes towards each other; it just enables them to live with a girl. Abscesses are not unusual after a neutering op.

I would recommend that you either have them live side by side or find each a new partner - either a baby boar or or a girl for your neutered boar. In which case I recommend not housing them near each other any more.