Slightly large testicles

[Naomi34]

Hi. I am new to this group, I noticed one of my piggies getting quite aggressive towards the other one so I took him out to exam him, and noticed his testicles are slightly larger than usual. Should I be concerned?

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Hi, how old is your piggie? Boars testicles do descend and get noticeably bigger as they mature. Could you upload a picture?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi. I am new to this group, I noticed one of my piggies getting quite aggressive towards the other one so I took him out to exam him, and noticed his testicles are slightly larger than usual. Should I be concerned?

Hi and welcome

How old is your boy?

Testicles descend between ca. 4-6 months of age. That is the onset of teenage and the time when boars can experience strong surges of testosterone.
Please be aware that neutering in guinea pig boars will not change their personality or social interaction. It will not even change the fact that a neutered boar can still experience hormone spikes. All it takes away is the ability to make babies after a 6 weeks safety wait.

Here is our boar information:
Sexing Guide (including pictures of descending and fully descended testicles)
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths And Facts

Testicle size can vary enormously between boars, but that is not directly connected with how laid-back or dominant a boar's personality is.

 

[Naomi34]

There a year and a half it’s just my other ones isn’t as big. Av just been watching them is like he’s trying to mount the other one.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

There a year and a half it’s just my other ones isn’t as big. Av just been watching them is like he’s trying to mount the other one.

Yep these look totally normal to me! Mounting is also a very typical activity of male guinea pigs, especially hormonal male ones. It is likely the surge in hormones has just made your little boar assert his dominance over his friend- hence the mounting. You might also witness some chasing and rumbling during this. I wouldn't worry or separate the two of them UNLESS blood is drawn.

 

[Wiebke]

There a year and a half it’s just my other ones isn’t as big. Av just been watching them is like he’s trying to mount the other one.

Hi!

When you compare your boy with the pictures in the sexing guide and in the boar care guide, then you will find that they are very much within the normal range.

Rumblestrutting, mounting and chasing are normal boar behaviour; they are more pronounced during a hormone spike. Sudden hormones spikes during the teenage months and into adult age are perfectly normal. they will fade as the boars get older.

Please take the time to read the information links I have provided in my previous post. You will find them very informative and helpful, as they will allow you to understand what is going on, judge whether it needs intervention or not and also how you can care for your boars as you should throughout their life - and that includes checking their genitalia regularly for problems.

 

[Naomi34]

Thank you for your advice. Was just getting a bit worried there as haven’t noticed them being this big before and wasn’t wanting to take them to the vets to be charged money for to be told nothing to worry about. I will certainly read all the links you have sent me.

 

[Jesse's pigs]

Thank you for your advice. Was just getting a bit worried there as haven’t noticed them being this big before and wasn’t wanting to take them to the vets to be charged money for to be told nothing to worry about. I will certainly read all the links you have sent me.

Hehe I feel you! I never realised just how big their testicles got. One minute there was nothing and the next time I looked two huge balls lol.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your advice. Was just getting a bit worried there as haven’t noticed them being this big before and wasn’t wanting to take them to the vets to be charged money for to be told nothing to worry about. I will certainly read all the links you have sent me.

A large 'treasure chest' can come as quite a bit of a shock for an unsuspecting owner!

We are here to answer your questions and if necessary to tell you when you really need to see a vet; as does our extensive guide collection which provides access for information during UK night hours or when you want to catch up on a particular subject. You can find it by clicking on the guide shortcut on the to bar.

 

[Potterpig]

I've got a ginger and white boar and his are so big he looks like he's got a baboons bottom they're fine though! I guess his fair hair doesn't help hide them! He is very sweet natured. Gets on with other pigs and is great with being handled x

 

[Naomi34]

Can I also ask. At the moment I have one large hide for them and a wee arch, am I better maybe possibly getting 2 smaller hides so they can have there own space?

 

[Swissgreys]

Can I also ask. At the moment I have one large hide for them and a wee arch, am I better maybe possibly getting 2 smaller hides so they can have there own space?

This is correct.
With boars in particular you definitely need two of everything - hides, food bowls, water bottles, etc.
In the short term you can use cardboard boxes with holes cut in the sides or bendy stick bridges.
Tow entry ways are also a good idea so no one can get trapped.