Spaying 4 month old sows to stop fighting?

[liquidmelancholy]

I have such a headache of a problem with my 2 sows, I really need some advice and help!

I got my Lucy and Hazel from a breeder; they are classed as 'pedigree' guinea pigs, which is what I wanted after I had many health problems with my previous set of sows, which were shop bought. The breeder said they were sisters, but they have never really been close like I'd imagine they should be, i.e. never cuddled or slept near each other.

But as they turned about 3 months old, Lucy started bullying Hazel. They would do the rumbling and swaying bottoms etc, and then Lucy would lunge and nip at Hazel, making Hazel squeal and run away. She wouldn't let Hazel do anything, and would really attack her if she tried going in the igloo that is in their house. It seems a territorial and hormone based issue I'm assuming?

I read up on the internet about what to do in this situation, and I've since kept them in separate cages near each other, and re-unite them most days for the day-time, when I put them out in their run in the garden. They are fine with each other in the run. As soon as I even get them both on my lap for a minute, Lucy will try to nip at Hazel.

I told the vet about all this, and he said the only answer is to spay both of them, because he said that would sort out the hormones, which are probably making Lucy act the way she is towards Hazel; and both should be done to be sure it works.

I read that this is a really risky procedure for female guinea pigs, and even though they are just old enough and heavy enough in theory, I just don't know if spaying both of them is the right decision! Hazel has become really distressed from being apart from Lucy, and will jump on top of the igloo at night time, and bite at the bars of her cage

Basically I can't weigh up the pros and cons. If they were pretty much certain to make it through the operation, and it would solve the behavioural problems, then I'd do it. I can't keep them separate forever, as they appear to be pretty unhappy. But what is on my mind is that one of my last pair of sows died during a hysterectomy, as she had huge ovarian cysts, so I'm even more concerned about putting two baby guinea pigs through the exact same operation.

I could never forgive myself if I sent them to have a non life-saving operation, and they died, they are only babies after all I'd really like some input from people about what to do! Thank you.

 

[Wiebke]

It's quite a dilemma; I must admit I'm not an advocate of spaying unless it is necessary due to ovarian cysts and cannot be solved otherwise.

How restricted are you in terms of space? Another possibilty would be to split the sisters and pair each with a neutered boar. Cross gender pairings are usually very stable. There are quite a few beautiful ones in various rescues.

I have a pair of fairly squabbly sisters; the dominant one is quite nippy as well. I already have them with a neutered boar and am going to add two more ladies, as I found the bullying was less when there were more ladies around.

 

[Niki]

I am assuming spaying wouldn't affect their behaviour as it doesn't in males when they are neutered - it only stops babies but i don't know having never had a sow spayed.

I have sisters & they too have "tiffs" periodically & none of my piggies cuddle up to one another.

The only thing i can think of is how big is their cage/hutch? Do they have 2 of everything? This gives them less to squabble over & as Vicky has said a neutered boar can calm sows down

 

[daftscotslass]

I would say no way, never to a spay for this reason. It should be a life or death matter when spaying a sow, it is NOT routine like a cat or dog and I've lost a pig to spay surgery before. She had to have it, too, she had a large tumour, I would NEVER put a pig through that for a behavioural issue. I also would get another vet if they suggest that a 4 month old pig is big enough for such surgery.

Are they actually drawing blood? To an extent it sounds like normal piggy behaviour, especially when they are young and the hormones kick in a la puberty.

Ditto what the others have said about space, too, it's a HUGE factor in helping pigs get on.

 

[Gaile]

What about getting a neutered boar?
sure that will stop the girls fighting!!

 

[liquidmelancholy]

Thanks for all your replies! Unfortunately I don't have the space (or funds!) to get some boars, however tempting it may be to get more piggie friends

I keep them indoors, so I got plastic houses that are easily moveable. But from what you all say, which is basically that spaying is definitely not a good idea, I think the only answer is to find a house that is double the size of their individual houses at the moment.

And Niki, I did try the 2 of everything thing, before I separated them, but they just argued over one bowl! rolleyes But I will try it again in their new house when I get one.

Lucy never nips hard enough to draw blood, it just seems to be sustained bullying with the occasional nip e.g. when Hazel wanted to go into the igloo when Lucy was already in it. I thought this was all making Hazel miserable, so separated them for her benefit, but now she seems just as miserable!

I suppose the best thing is to try out the new living situation for a while, and see if Lucy stops nipping, which hopefully she will!

 

[summerleaze]

Do your piggies a massive favour and change vets. Find an exotic specialist.

Spaying is completely unnecessary and I'm very sad that a vet would suggest this. It is NOT the answer to your problem - please don't even consider it. Just another dangerous and daft suggestion to a common problem grrrr It will not work and you could loose your sows.

Sadly there is little in the way of expertise when it comes to piggy behaviour issues but keep researching.

They are only young - it's likely that they will settle in time, you've just got to give them time. Living side by side is really your only option for now. In the mean time, get a new vet.

 

[pelicano]

I agree that spaying would be a drastic solution. I had a pig spayed recently, and I can confirm that the only behaviour that has changed is the hormonal behaviour, eg. rumblestrutting etc. She's still more than capable of being the top pig, tooth chattering and putting the others in their places, so I'm not sure it would resolve your problem anyway.

 

[Gaile]

you would only need one boar...I had 2sows and a boar they lived very happily together!xx>>>