To neuter or not to neuter ?

[Hamandsammich]

Hi all,

We lost one of our male pigs a couple of months ago now, they were very well bonded, Ham has just turned 2. We took him speed dating and he was aggressive, teeth chattering and humping. He's never displayed this behaviour before, the vet said he was probably taking his chance to be the dominant one. So we didn't come home with a pig that day.

We've been keeping an eye out for a single male rescue, but obviously the risk of them not bonding and needing separate cages is quite high, and also not a permanent option for us unfortunately.

We'd decided initially that we didn't want to get Ham neutered to put with a female, because of the risk of infection. However the advice we're getting now is that this may be the best option. I'm very nervous about the risks involved and need a bit of encouragement that this is for Ham's wellbeing, or that I'm correct to be cautious!

Our vet is a specialist small animal and exotics vet, so full of good advice. She's talked me through all the risks and aftercare. I feel terrible that he is still on his own, he doesn't seem particularly bothered but obviously it would be better for him to be with another pig, especially as he's only 2.

Thank you for any advice!

 

[GuineaPigLover7891]

Hi! I myself have two boars who are not neutered. I’ve heard many people have success with neutering boars. I actually wanted to do that but couldn’t because of many reasons. If you think that having him neutered and paired with a sow would make him happiest, I’d say do it. If your vet is specialized in small and exotic animals there is little risk. Most of the risks are if the vet is not skilled enough. In the end, it is you choice. Whatever you choose I trust you will make the right choice. Good luck!

 

[Hamandsammich]

Hi! I myself have two boars who are not neutered. I’ve heard many people have success with neutering boars. I actually wanted to do that but couldn’t because of many reasons. If you think that having him neutered and paired with a sow would make him happiest, I’d say do it. If your vet is specialized in small and exotic animals there is little risk. Most of the risks are if the vet is not skilled enough. In the end, it is you choice. Whatever you choose I trust you will make the right choice. Good luck!

Thanks! The vet said there is a 33% chance of infection with any neutering, so that's where my worry comes from. Also I don't fully understand the chance of success of him bonding with a female. Like what if we put him through all that and then he doesn't get on with a girl anyway?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

We lost one of our male pigs a couple of months ago now, they were very well bonded, Ham has just turned 2. We took him speed dating and he was aggressive, teeth chattering and humping. He's never displayed this behaviour before, the vet said he was probably taking his chance to be the dominant one. So we didn't come home with a pig that day.

We've been keeping an eye out for a single male rescue, but obviously the risk of them not bonding and needing separate cages is quite high, and also not a permanent option for us unfortunately.

We'd decided initially that we didn't want to get Ham neutered to put with a female, because of the risk of infection. However the advice we're getting now is that this may be the best option. I'm very nervous about the risks involved and need a bit of encouragement that this is for Ham's wellbeing, or that I'm correct to be cautious!

Our vet is a specialist small animal and exotics vet, so full of good advice. She's talked me through all the risks and aftercare. I feel terrible that he is still on his own, he doesn't seem particularly bothered but obviously it would be better for him to be with another pig, especially as he's only 2.

Thank you for any advice!

Hi!

I am very sorry obout your loss and the ensuing bonding problems. It sounds like Ham is on the fear-agressive/insecure side.

Neutering depends very much on your vet's experience and skill with small furries operations as well as the nursing team that is monitoring the recovery. The best operating vets have as close to 100% success rate as any surgeon can get. The quicker your vet is at operating, the higher the chances of a problem-free recovery.

Personally I am a great fan of 'husboars'. I have seven of them (all living with one or several sows) and have had a succession of them. Several of them are 'unbondable', fallen-out or bullied boars that are now living the dream.

You may find the detailed information in this guide here helpful. It also contains pictures and videos from a successful recovery story to balance out all the online horror stories, as actually the majority of neutering operations are going well and the rate of deaths has fallen steadily as neutering numbers, experience in that area and operation techiques have risen over the last decade.
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

The prize is a pretty much guaranteed bonding success with a sub-adult sow, especially a sub-teenage one, and a life-long bond. Cross gender bondings, once initial acceptance has happened, are the most stable of all piggy bonds. Young sows at ideal pup bearing age are usually very accepting of any boar.

 

[Hamandsammich]

Hi!

I am very sorry obout your loss and the ensuing bonding problems. It sounds like Ham is on the fear-agressive/insecure side.

Neutering depends very much on your vet's experience and skill with small furries operations as well as the nursing team that is monitoring the recovery. The best operating vets have as close to 100% success rate as any surgeon can get. The quicker your vet is at operating, the higher the chances of a problem-free recovery.

Personally I am a great fan of 'husboars'. I have seven of them (all living with one or several sows) and have had a succession of them. Several of them are 'unbondable', fallen-out or bullied boars that are now living the dream.

You may find the detailed information in this guide here helpful. It also contains pictures and videos from a successful recovery stories to balance out all the online horror stories, as actually the majority of neutering operations is going well and the rate of deaths has fallen steadily as neutering numbers, experience in that area and operation techiques have steadily risen over the last decade.
Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care

The prize is a pretty much guaranteed bonding success with a sub-adult sow; especially a sub-teenage one and a life-long bond. Cross gender bondings, once initial acceptance has happened are the most stable of all piggy bonds.

Thank you that is very reassuring!