Spay costs in Devon

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

Does anyone have experience of the cost of spaying a young sow in Devon? I know different vets and different areas have very different prices.
I'm looking to get two young girl piggies for my bereaved boy Jester and I wanted to get them spayed as a preventative measure (my boy is already neutered)
I just got an estimate from my vet but they would only provide an estimate for a rabbit full spay which would be £226.00 each. I said I wanted ovariectomy and they said they aren't sure if the exotics vet can do that so I'd have to pay for a consult to ask him And if he would do it, the cost would be a lot more as they'd see it as the same as cat/dog keyhole spay.
My understanding was the ovariectomy/flank spay was a fairly simple operation and not as drastic as a full spay ? I certainly didn't expect such high costs.
The rescues that I've looked at that offer spayed females have an added charge in the region of £50 as a contribution to the spay so I was prepared for a cost of about £150. per pig if I had to get them done myself.
I just feel that my vets are fleecing me and it makes me angry when I'm trying to do my best to prevent piggies from possible future problems.
Sorry for the essay

 

[Bill & Ted]

If your boy Jester is already neutered then you don’t need to have any female piggies spayed. As long as Jester is 6 weeks post neuter then he is safe to be with unspayed females. While some females do get ovarian cysts in later life very few cause such problems that they have to be spayed

 

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

If your boy Jester is already neutered then you don’t need to have any female piggies spayed. As long as Jester is 6 weeks post neuter than he is safe to be with unspayed females

Hello and thanks for your reply.
While I don't need to get them spayed, I'm thinking of it as a preventative as female reproductive problems seem to be very common as the girls get older. If they get ovarian cysts later in life then the best option is spaying so I'd like to prevent them from having issues later as much as I can.
Jester was neutered at TEAS before I got him and his brother Bandit nearly two years ago. Just lost Bandit so Jester needs cheering up.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Yes getting cysts is common but by far not all causes issues and not all sows need spaying.

I come from primarily rabbit keeping where spaying and neutering is not only essential for health reasons (does get womb cancer) but to simply be able to bond them.

Costs have gone up lot in recent years and vet practices vary in their charges. It would probably be best to call vets in your area and ask them for their costs and experience

 

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

Yes getting cysts is common but by far not all causes issues and not all sows need spaying.

I come from primarily rabbit keeping where spaying and neutering is not only essential for health reasons (does get womb cancer) but to simply be able to bond them.

Costs have gone up lot in recent years and vet practices vary in their charges. It would probably be best to call vets in your area and ask them for their costs and experience

Thank you for your response.
Perhaps I'm worrying too much, I've never had girl piggies before and my reasoning was to save them the possible pain and suffering later in life when an operation to do a full spay would be more risky.
I did read that some vets believe in spaying young guinea pigs and think it should be as routine as it is for rabbits.
It's new territory for me and I just want to do the right thing.
I've asked the rescue center near me if their vets will do it so I'm hopeful for that.

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s great that you are looking into it. I know it is something which Debbie at TEAS as said she is considering with sows.
I'm not sure if I’ve ever seen a percentage on how many guinea pigs have issues with cysts which actually require surgery. Vs rabbits where 80% get womb cancer if not spayed.

I know there is a wide range of cost (due to the differences in vet charges) for rabbit spaying and it can be between £100-250.
I had my two current does spayed four years ago and at that point to have both of them done was a little over £200 but costs have gone up considerably since then.

 

[VickiA]

I’ve also had many sows with cysts who have not needed to be spayed. If you do decide to spay I
think speaking to your nearest rescue to find out if their vets can do the surgery would now be a good idea. My own vets do perform both types of surgery but the costs can vary tremendously.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your response.
Perhaps I'm worrying too much, I've never had girl piggies before and my reasoning was to save them the possible pain and suffering later in life when an operation to do a full spay would be more risky.
I did read that some vets believe in spaying young guinea pigs and think it should be as routine as it is for rabbits.
It's new territory for me and I just want to do the right thing.
I've asked the rescue center near me if their vets will do it so I'm hopeful for that.

While the majority of sows will develop ovarian cysts, only a minority will ever need a spay, either for active ovarian cysts that cause hormonal or behavioural problems, large fluid filled hormonally inactive cysts that can cause problems through pressure or adhesion to other organs (usually in older age) or - in thankfully only a very small percentage - cancerous cysts.

I have only had a comparatively small number of sows to spay, considering how many I have had.

You will find this guide here helpful: Sow Problems 'Down Below' (Ovarian Cysts, Super-seasons, Womb Infection, Pregnancy & Mammary Tumours)

You will need to ask each vet clinic for their cost and what services those include. Prices have gone up so meteorically recently that we cannot give you comparable current price frame.

 

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

It’s great that you are looking into it. I know it is something which Debbie at TEAS as said she is considering with sows.
I'm not sure if I’ve ever seen a percentage on how many guinea pigs have issues with cysts which actually require surgery. Vs rabbits where 80% get womb cancer if not spayed.

I know there is a wide range of cost (due to the differences in vet charges) for rabbit spaying and it can be between £100-250.
I had my two current does spayed four years ago and at that point to have both of them done was a little over £200 but costs have gone up considerably since then.

That's great if Debbie is considering spaying sows.
I did see something a little while ago that said around 80% of female guinea pigs over 3 years old develop ovarian cysts. Not sure where the data came from though and as others have said, it doesn't mean they have to be spayed but if I can prevent the problems happening then that makes sense to me.
Yes, costs seem to be going up so much and unfortunately the result will be animals PTS because many people simple can't afford the costs

 

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

I’ve also had many sows with cysts who have not needed to be spayed. If you do decide to spay I
think speaking to your nearest rescue to find out if their vets can do the surgery would now be a good idea. My own vets do perform both types of surgery but the costs can vary tremendously.

May I ask what the vet suggested to treat the cysts?
I spoke to the rescue I usually adopt from and asked if their vets can spay. They will get back to me but that seems the best option.
Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

That's great if Debbie is considering spaying sows.
I did see something a little while ago that said around 80% of female guinea pigs over 3 years old develop ovarian cysts. Not sure where the data came from though and as others have said, it doesn't mean they have to be spayed but if I can prevent the problems happening then that makes sense to me.
Yes, costs seem to be going up so much and unfortunately the result will be animals PTS because many people simple can't afford the costs

Debbie has access to one of the very best operating vets for guinea pigs with an unparalleled practical experience, so it is a much safer procedure compared with vets who do not often operate on guinea pigs or do spays, which - beause of the much higher operation cost - are much more rarely done compared to boar neutering. That is another aspect you want to take into consideration. The sucess rate in spays does vary a lot more.

 

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

While the majority of sows will develop ovarian cysts, only a minority will ever need a spay, either for active ovarian cysts that cause hormonal or behavioural problems, large fluid filled hormonally inactive cysts that can cause problems through pressure or adhesion to other organs (usually in older age) or - in thankfully only a very small percentage - cancerous cysts.

I have only had a comparatively small number of sows to spay, considering how many I have had.

You will find this guide here helpful: Sow Problems 'Down Below' (Ovarian Cysts, Super-seasons, Womb Infection, Pregnancy & Mammary Tumours)

You will need to ask each vet clinic for their cost and what services those include. Prices have gone up so meteorically recently that we cannot give you comparable current price frame.

The problems you mention sound horrible
I think I'm convinced more than ever that spaying young is the route I'd like to take.
I'm really surprised that spaying is not considered a necessary preventative measure.
It's not something I'd ever thought about before as I've only ever had males.

Thank you for the link, I'll definitely have a look and I appreciate your advice

 

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

Debbie has access to one of the very best operating vets for guinea pigs with an unparalleled practical experience, so it is a much safer procedure compared with vets who do not often operate on guinea pigs or do spays, which - beause of the much higher operation cost - are much more rarely done compared to boar neutering. That is another aspect you want to take into consideration. The sucess rate in spays does vary a lot more.

Yes, that does make sense. Hopefully we'll see more vets taking an interest in piggies. I used to have a great vet but she's moved away
The rescue near me has often had sows spayed before so at least I know their vets are knowledgeable and experienced.

 

[Wiebke]

Yes, that does make sense. Hopefully we'll see more vets taking an interest in piggies. I used to have a great vet but she's moved away
The rescue near me has often had sows spayed before so at least I know their vets are knowledgeable and experienced.

The biggest obstacle to routine spaying is the cost, which in recent years has risen even more again. And a still noticeably higher fatal outcome compared to neutered boars where the balance has definitely swung to the positive side.

That is why were are sitting rather on the fence on this forum re. preventative spaying. The usual guilt trip at the onset of the grieving process is so much worse with any elective operations going wrong.

I just want all the factors on the table so you go into it with open eyes. The risk of sows dying in a preventative operation and sows dying from ovarian cysts are currently still too finely balanced for my personal liking. And the massive operation cost is not helping vets, especially a new generation of vets, to acquire the experience needed for a good and reliable outcome. Guinea pigs are still seen and sold too much as cheap, short-lived children's pets by too many people.

 

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

Thank you, I understand what you're saying. I feel really caught now. I would be devastated if I had a sow spayed and she didn't make it but I also know that if I didn't and she later developed problems that could have been prevented, I'd then feel very guilty too.
It's so much easier to stick to boars!
It's awful to see guinea pigs sold cheaply or worse, given away for free. I was told that the pet shop in Fermoy's garden centre sells only pairs and for £75 so at least some places are being more responsible.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, I understand what you're saying. I feel really caught now. I would be devastated if I had a sow spayed and she didn't make it but I also know that if I didn't and she later developed problems that could have been prevented, I'd then feel very guilty too.
It's so much easier to stick to boars!
It's awful to see guinea pigs sold cheaply or worse, given away for free. I was told that the pet shop in Fermoy's garden centre sells only pairs and for £75 so at least some places are being more responsible.

Very little is ever easy; if it was, you would have seen some clear and strong recommendations one way or the other on here. Our official line is very often a delicate balance act in a constantly shifting landscape.

Take your time to think about it, listen to your gut and go into it with open eyes, whichever way you decide; there is no need to rush into it. These things are always like playing lottery since none of us can take a peak at the individual outcome; we can only reflect trends and experiences on here.
But I believe in making considered decisions because the emotional backlash is less severe when you have weighed up the pros and cons carefully, knowing that there is never any guarantee with any major life decisions for your pets, yourself or your family. But just trying to do your best in an imperfect world is enough of a rocky outropping to cling to in a patch of quicksand because it is the most you can achieve.

Well done for the garden centre. Piggies shouldn't be impulse buys and be treated like disposable animated cuddly toys, the same as puppies, kittens or bunnues...

 

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

Thanks so much for your advice.
I'll do my homework for sure. It's sometimes so difficult to know what to do for the best but I'll make sure I research. I don't make decisions lightly on a whim, I'll go with my heart knowing that what I do is done with the best of intentions after weighing up the options.

It's good that some pet shops are responsible but I still wish they didn't exist.
Registered, responsible breeders who are in it for the good of the animals will be my choice when I'm Queen of the world

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks so much for your advice.
I'll do my homework for sure. It's sometimes so difficult to know what to do for the best but I'll make sure I research. I don't make decisions lightly on a whim, I'll go with my heart knowing that what I do is done with the best of intentions after weighing up the options.

It's good that some pet shops are responsible but I still wish they didn't exist.
Registered, responsible breeders who are in it for the good of the animals will be my choice when I'm Queen of the world

I also wish for a world with licensed, responsible and well controlled breeders (like in Switzerland where I hail from, where rescues have more adopters than available piggies) and where wasteful mass supply breeding down to minimum spec would be a thing of the past.

But as long as anybody can call themselves a breeder or a rescue and chain pet shops keep baby mills churning out too many pets without strict supervision (which is of course rather expensive), we are currently further away from the ultimate ideal world than we have in quite a time.

 

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

Wow, things certainly sound better in Switzerland in regards to animal welfare. That must have been tough coming over here where the standards are so low Unfortunately, this is the norm for us. Thankfully, many people are becoming more aware of better practices and there's more available information.
I remember years ago when it was perfectly acceptable to have a rabbit and guinea pigs living together in a 4ft hutch
Still a long way to go but it makes me really happy to see so many people keeping piggies indoors in large enclosures. May seem like small victories to us but to the piggies, it's a world away from the miserable existence of living in a tiny hutch in the garden.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

Simon and I were talking about this a few days ago. I’ve decided to trial spaying young sows that come into our care, prior to rehoming them. Initially it will only be young sows, so it may be a while before we go ahead!

Sad news about Bandit xx

 

[Wiebke]

Simon and I were talking about this a few days ago. I’ve decided to trial spaying young sows that come into our care, prior to rehoming them. Initially it will only be young sows, so it may be a while before we go ahead!

Sad news about Bandit xx

That would be so great. @furryfriends (TEAS)

There has been a huge gap after Tracey from RNGP Welfare Rugby closed her rescue with a strict neutering/spaying policy as a companionship option especially for older/frailer boars a good decade back now. That was where Simon Maddock developed his neutering/spaying op skills initially.

@PerfectPiggyPaws
We have got the only animal protection law that explicitly states the right of guinea pigs to companionship. It is a result of people power and a direct democracy where any new law underlies a direct referendum. The previous renewal attempt had been watered down quite a lot in parliament which was why it failed the referendum hurdle. So the new law from 2004 went radical but was accepted. They are currently fighting over the next update.
The law effectively keeps full boars strictly in - licensed - breeders hands; what you buy in shops or from breeders are either mixed gender pairs or sow pairs but never boar pairs. The license needs to be renewed regularly and can be withdrawn if you are found in breach of this practice or minimal welfare regulations. Any boars not for destined to be used as breeding studs are neutered as babies so they can stay on with their family. This practice is crucial in order to make the system work but it is categorically vetoed in not-German speaking countries. But as a result fall-outs are very rare and there is not the glut of unwanted boars overwhelming rescues that we see here in the UK.
Swiss rescues have less guinea pigs than a waiting list for adoptions but this means that they can choose the kind of 5-6 star homes these days that only a wealthy minority can provide.
The one big gap in the law is when one companion dies. Even if you have adopted a pair from a rescue, you cannot adopt a single companion because how the law is phrased. Companionship for bereaved piggies is kind of a bit of legally grey zone.
And the Continental (including Swiss) minimal cage size is smaller than the UK recommendation at 10-500 cm for a pair of guinea pigs when it comes to sales. But at least no hamster cages!

 

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

Simon and I were talking about this a few days ago. I’ve decided to trial spaying young sows that come into our care, prior to rehoming them. Initially it will only be young sows, so it may be a while before we go ahead!

Sad news about Bandit xx

That's great news I really hope it works well and prevents future problems for the little ladies.

Yes, it was very sad indeed about Bandit. He was such an amazing little boy and he's very much missed

 

[Ramia]

I've been to Geneva a couple times, I really liked it. I asked for directions to a health food store and ended up talking with a lady in the street about enzymes for twenty minutes. A lady invited me to her table at a cafe, too. Great to see animal welfare in that great country.

 

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

That would be so great. @furryfriends (TEAS)

There has been a huge gap after Tracey from RNGP Welfare Rugby closed her rescue with a strict neutering/spaying policy as a companionship option especially for older/frailer boars a good decade back now. That was where Simon Maddock developed his neutering/spaying op skills initially.

@PerfectPiggyPaws
We have got the only animal protection law that explicitly states the right of guinea pigs to companionship. It is a result of people power and a direct democracy where any new law underlies a direct referendum. The previous renewal attempt had been watered down quite a lot in parliament which was why it failed the referendum hurdle. So the new law from 2004 went radical but was accepted. They are currently fighting over the next update.
The law effectively keeps full boars strictly in - licensed - breeders hands; what you buy in shops or from breeders are either mixed gender pairs or sow pairs but never boar pairs. The license needs to be renewed regularly and can be withdrawn if you are found in breach of this practice or minimal welfare regulations. Any boars not for destined to be used as breeding studs are neutered as babies so they can stay on with their family. This practice is crucial in order to make the system work but it is categorically vetoed in not-German speaking countries. But as a result fall-outs are very rare and there is not the glut of unwanted boars overwhelming rescues that we see here in the UK.
Swiss rescues have less guinea pigs than a waiting list for adoptions but this means that they can choose the kind of 5-6 star homes these days that only a wealthy minority can provide.
The one big gap in the law is when one companion dies. Even if you have adopted a pair from a rescue, you cannot adopt a single companion because how the law is phrased. Companionship for bereaved piggies is kind of a bit of legally grey zone.
And the Continental (including Swiss) minimal cage size is smaller than the UK recommendation at 10-500 cm for a pair of guinea pigs when it comes to sales. But at least no hamster cages!

Sounds like Switzerland is way ahead in many respects. Not perfect though regarding enclosure sizes and bereaved piggies but at least it's doing more than other countries.
My previous bereaved piggy, Rory, was delighted to be alone and thrived whereas my current bereaved boy, Jester, is getting rather sad and lonely. It would be sad if I knew he'd have to stay that way with no option to get him a friend.
I'm beginning to think that the best combination is a boar and two sows. At least when you lose one, the other two still have eachother for company and another piggy can be added at leisure.

 

[Wiebke]

Sounds like Switzerland is way ahead in many respects. Not perfect though regarding enclosure sizes and bereaved piggies but at least it's doing more than other countries.
My previous bereaved piggy, Rory, was delighted to be alone and thrived whereas my current bereaved boy, Jester, is getting rather sad and lonely. It would be sad if I knew he'd have to stay that way with no option to get him a friend.
I'm beginning to think that the best combination is a boar and two sows. At least when you lose one, the other two still have eachother for company and another piggy can be added at leisure.

Having had plenty of 'husboar with two sows' trios (plus quartets and more): yes, mixed gender trios are great but only if the two sows are good friends. Otherwise the hubby will eventually side with one of the sows and you end up with an outsider situation, which is the big achilles heel of any trio. What adding a boar to a pair of feuding sows won't do is heal the rift since a boar is part of the group hierarchy but he is not part of the sow hierarchy within the group; I have found that they are two different things.

I am down to just one mixed trio and a quartet at the moment but I had up to five trios at one time. When they work, they are great.

Wishing you all the best!

 

[PerfectPiggyPaws]

Having had plenty of 'husboar with two sows' trios (plus quartets and more): yes, mixed gender trios are great but only if the two sows are good friends. Otherwise the hubby will eventually side with one of the sows and you end up with an outsider situation, which is the big achilles heel of any trio. What adding a boar to a pair of feuding sows won't do is heal the rift since a boar is part of the group hierarchy but he is not part of the sow hierarchy within the group; I have found that they are two different things.

I am down to just one mixed trio and a quartet at the moment but I had up to five trios at one time. When they work, they are great.

Wishing you all the best!

So basically no matter what we do, chances are, these mini terrorists are going to cause trouble and just be little monsters And yet some how, we just can't resist them and their demanding ways. Must be true love!

Wow, so many piggies they must have kept you very busy! Seven piggies is still plenty to keep you busy though. I can just imagine the noise at dinner time from all those beautiful, demanding little wheekers

Thank you for all the advice x