Should Fighting Boars Stay Separated?

[Emily15]

I adopted two male guinea pigs from the adoption section of a chain pet store and they seemed to be living together okay.I was temporarily keeping them in a pet store cage until their big c and c cage arrives.I noticed that one of the pigs seemed to be bullying the other pig.He would growl and chase the other pig.He seemed frightened.They would also lunge at each other.I am not sure if they bit each other but when I went to the vet she said there was a scab that could have been from fighting.They have been treated for mites in the past though.The vet looked and said she couldn't see any mites even though they are scratching.I give them a day to settle but they still seemed really scared of each other.The vet suggested castrating them but it is £150 each at the vet I go to and it might not even work.I have split them up and they have seemed to have to calmed down.They can see each other through the bars but can't fight.Would they be okay if they had to live alone if they could still see each other?Is growling,lunging and chasing normal behaviour?Will they get stressed if they can't stay together?Should they be put back together?

 

[Tiamolly123]

My males had it done for £40 each, if they fight & draw blood you have to separate them. You could have both done then after 6weeks you could put 1 male, in with a female, but you can't put 2 males in with a sow, the boars will fight. The pet store is telling you porkies, the character won't change just because he's done.
Hi & Welcome to our friendly forum.

 

[Lady Kelly]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I would recommend finding a cavy savvy vet, some of the forum members have recommended vets that they have found which are on our vet locator in the top bar.
I say this as your vet is clearly not very knowledgeable. Neutering does not change the sexual behaviour in guinea pigs and will not make a difference over whether your boys settle with each other or not. Were the pet store able to give you an idea of the age of the boys?
For comparison, last time I had a neuter op with a knowledgeable (but not specialist) vet the cost was around £60.

 

[Lady Kelly]

I should have also linked you to some of our guides for you to see whether the behaviour you are witnessing is dominance behaviour or whether it is fighting.
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

Boars: A guide to successful companionship.
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[Emily15]

£150 each? Jesus I paid that much to have my dog spayed,

I recently had my male Guinea Pig neutered and it cost £72 which included a 12 hour stay in the vets, the operation, meds and three follow up appointments!

Neutering is the best option, but if that’s not possible. Do they have two of everything? Food bowls, snuggle blankets,toys, hiding places etc? Xx

The pig that's more aggressive goes in the others house which causes fights.The bossy pig always wants the other pigs thinks.I have the money if need vet treatment but £300 is a lot just to be castrated when it might not work.Thanks for your advice.

 

[Julie M]

The pig that's more aggressive goes in the others house which causes fights.The bossy pig always wants the other pigs thinks.I have the money if need vet treatment but £300 is a lot just to be castrated when it might not work.Thanks for your advice.

Castrating your piggies will not change their behaviours. The only purpose of castrating Guinea pigs is to prevent them from being able to have babies. They will 100% not change because of being neutered. And £150 is very very dear for a neutering operation.

 

[flowerfairy]

One hundred and fifty pounds!! My young boar was neutered for fifty four pounds.

He now (six weeks post op) lives with two sows.

I agree with those who have suggested finding another vet.

 

[Emily15]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I would recommend finding a cavy savvy vet, some of the forum members have recommended vets that they have found which are on our vet locator in the top bar.
I say this as your vet is clearly not very knowledgeable. Neutering does not change the sexual behaviour in guinea pigs and will not make a difference over whether your boys settle with each other or not. Were the pet store able to give you an idea of the age of the boys?
For comparison, last time I had a neuter op with a knowledgeable (but not specialist) vet the cost was around £60.

The vet even admitted to not being the most knowledgeable about guinea pigs but said their is a more knowledge vet at the nearby branch.It is a good job I did not go ahead with the operation if it would not change their behaviour.The vet recommended by the vet locator is to far away from where I live.The pet store guessed they were one to two years old but were not sure.Thanks for your advice.

 

[Wiebke]

I adopted two male guinea pigs from the adoption section of a chain pet store and they seemed to be living together okay.I was temporarily keeping them in a pet store cage until their big c and c cage arrives.I noticed that one of the pigs seemed to be bullying the other pig.He would growl and chase the other pig.He seemed frightened.They would also lunge at each other.I am not sure if they bit each other but when I went to the vet she said there was a scab that could have been from fighting.They have been treated for mites in the past though.The vet looked and said she couldn't see any mites even though they are scratching.I give them a day to settle but they still seemed really scared of each other.The vet suggested castrating them but it is £150 each at the vet I go to and it might not even work.I have split them up and they have seemed to have to calmed down.They can see each other through the bars but can't fight.Would they be okay if they had to live alone if they could still see each other?Is growling,lunging and chasing normal behaviour?Will they get stressed if they can't stay together?Should they be put back together?

Hi and welcome

Mange mites are not visible to the naked eye and of hay mites you see only the egg cases that fixed to the hairs, usually at the bum end. Neutering guinea pigs also doesn't work to save the bond; they are NOT rabbits! All it takes away is the ability to make babies. I would strongly recommend to find a vet with better experience with guinea pigs!
Also be aware that ringworm (fungal infection) can start by looking like a cut. It is sadly very common in many pet shop piggies.
Guinea Pig Vet Locator

Boars always need to re-establish their dominance in new territory. This can lead to problems. Ideally you shift them into a cage that contains dirty stuff of theirs so it smells 'right' for them when they move.

Please have a careful read of these two guides here. One describes bonding and dominance behaviours and dynamics in detail, so you can hopefully judge the boys' behaviour from there.
Illustrated Bonding / Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

Please be aware that prices for neutering ops can vary a lot; it depends on what is all included in the service. More important than the price is how well practised a vet is in guinea pig neutering. Ideally you want them to be either a general vet with lots of experience in boar neutering or an exotics vet with plenty of practice in small furries ops to keep the risk of post-op complications down. Alternative options are listed and discussed in our falling out guide (link above).

Since we have members and enquiries from all over the world, we find it very helpful if you please added your country or even better, your UK county to your details so we can always include recommendations in your area if possible. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to eprsonal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!