Too old to be done?

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lilmisscavy

lilmisscavy

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Ok, as some of you might know about my attitude towards neutering boars, I don't really understand/agree with it 100%, but I've been thinking about what to do with one of my boars, Robin.

He was born on the 15th May last year, which makes him 1 year and 5 months old, but because of his bad attitude with my older boars, and I really cannot have two pigs in the hutch he's in at the moment, it's too small, I'm worried about him being on his own when so young and could be with another.

So... I guess I'll know the answer to this and would say the same to others (no...) but is he too old to be neutered?

Also, do sows need to be neutered if they're with a neutered boar?! (Sorry for the dumb question, that's probably a 'no' as well!)

Thanks for any advice!
 
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lilmisscavy said:
Ok, as some of you might know about my attitude towards neutering boars, I don't really understand/agree with it 100%, but I've been thinking about what to do with one of my boars, Robin.

He was born on the 15th May last year, which makes him 1 year and 5 months old, but because of his bad attitude with my older boars, and I really cannot have two pigs in the hutch he's in at the moment, it's too small, I'm worried about him being on his own when so young and could be with another.

So... I guess I'll know the answer to this and would say the same to others (no...) but is he too old to be neutered?

Also, do sows need to be neutered if they're with a neutered boar?! (Sorry for the dumb question, that's probably a 'no' as well!)

Thanks for any advice!
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I don't think it's too old, as long as he is in good health and it's done by an experienced vet, and you make sure that you're aware of potential post op complications and things to look out for. Jeff was castrated at around 18 months to two years old, and he had no problems at all.

And no, a neutered male can be put with an entire female, as long as you wait for him to become infertile. A neutered male can still be fertile for up to 6 weeks post castration (in the trade it's known as "semi-skimmed"!), so you could be looking at putting him with a female 2 months after castration to be safe.
 
I had my boy neutered recently and he is **** about the same age. I'm not sure if there is an actual age limit, but as long as the piggie is healthy, I'm sure your vet can advise. My piggie developed an abscess three weeks post op but is okay now after two weeks on anti biotics. It was a stressful time andd very busy as I was keeping him on towels and fleece which were changed at least daily. Good luck if you go ahead..
 
Are complications similar to ones a rabbit or ferret would get? I know more about those being neutered and things that can happen afterward.

I remember when I called the main vet I used to go to in 2009 about having Harvey neutered, as suggested by a rescuer in Grantham, but the vet practically laughed at me. She asked why I wanted to have him done and I explained that I had him on his own, but I had a couple of calm, young sows that I could try to get him in a group with. She told me that it wouldn't matter if they were neutered or not, they'd still want to mate and they'd just harass any females they were with, which obviously is completely false but I just ended the conversation and got in contact with a local breeder who I got Jasper from.

What I'd like to do is have him neutered and put him with either of my groups of girls, although I have no idea how that'll actually pan out, I just don't want to have to get more guinea-pigs, but then I'd have to neuter him to find out if he'd be ok with either of them or not, and yet I could find another young male to be with him and not neuter him at all... urgh! :{ conflicting situation I've got myself in!
 
No problem about the age!

Most often are abscesses or infections in the operated area, much more rarely secondary infections further in the body or gut adhesions (the latter two Hywel had). Allergic reactions to stitches have happened in a very few cases. Bungling has been responsible for quite a few problems, which is the reason why we recommend to research and ask around for the best and experienced vet available.

Here is a link that discusses all aspects of neutering, including possible complications. http://www.cavyspirit.com/neutering.htm
 
The advice you were given about having them nuetuerd not effecting their sex drive is correct, they are still horny beggars and do go through spells of harassing sows, though that harass is an over exaggeration, We had our boar done nearly 3 years agi and he was on a few months old at the time and he recovered fine with no issues what so ever.
 
I'm not so sure about sexual desire!

Jeff was castrated about 2 months before he met Cameo, he's never tried to hump her once.

I also have a boar pair (both castrated) and their cage is on top of Jeff and Cameo, and they've not fallen out, they've not batted an eyelid. Before, they were in a C&C on the floor, and Jeff and Cameo would have floor time, Cameo went and laid up against the boys C&C and they didn't even bother coming over to sniff her - and this was before she was spayed.

Neither of my boar pair hump each other, or anything in their cage. Either castration has something to do with it, or they're all weird! rolleyes
 
I think the urge to mate decreases with age... how old are your boys amanda? :)
 
Connie said:
I think the urge to mate decreases with age... how old are your boys amanda? :)
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Jeff is 18 months - 2 years, the boys are 3ish (all rescues so cant be 100% accurate) but ive had them since they were about a year old
 
wow...How odd. :/ I have seen neutered boars that try to mount there sows for dear life... I think your just lucky, or they are a very "private" and refuse to perform for an audience! :))
 
Connie said:
wow...How odd. :/ I have seen neutered boars that try to mount there sows for dear life... I think your just lucky, or they are a very "private" and refuse to perform for an audience! :))
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:)) I've had the boys for 2 years, and jeff for about 9 months, never seen a hint of boar glue before they were castrated. Think I just have model boars!
 
Your so lucky! I'm always finding icky boar glue i cant get out. even by washing at 90!
 
Toffeewoffee said:
The advice you were given about having them nuetuerd not effecting their sex drive is correct, they are still horny beggars and do go through spells of harassing sows, though that harass is an over exaggeration, We had our boar done nearly 3 years agi and he was on a few months old at the time and he recovered fine with no issues what so ever.
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Once you take away the testicles (which produces the testosterone, making them want to mate), the sexual hormones will drop so surely they'd not feel the need to try mating anymore? That's why people have their pets neutered, along with stopping any potential to breed. Then again, they could be sensing the females are still going through seasons, or just mounting in general for dominance.

Not pig related but none of my ex's male ferrets mount the females they live with, even when the youngest female (who is in a group of 3 jills and 2 hobs), wasn't neutered and was on the hormone jab for a while. Maybe I'm just thinking of larger animals like ferrets then as guinea-pig neutering is totally new to me but I'm just going with common sense that's all.
 
It is generally understood that neutering a guinea pig will not in any way affect its behaviour. Studys have been done that prove this, however ofcourse there will be exceptions.
 
Connie said:
It is generally understood that neutering a guinea pig will not in any way affect its behaviour. Studys have been done that prove this, however ofcourse there will be exceptions.
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in that case i have 3 exceptions lol
 
I know! :P Shocking. :) I only say that, partly through what ive seen, and partly because thats the generaly medical advice given both by piggy savvy vets and the rescue in rugby that spays/neuters routinely. *shrugs* :))
 
I have four neutered boars, three done by my vet, the fourth by Claire's as he came from her rescue.

Of the four:

Dodge leapt on Cherry the moment the met, and still goes at it hammer and tongs a year later

Bumble is a downtrodden lazy boy who is absolutely devoted to Pixie and she to him, but they are more like brother and bossy sister

JoJo had a go at all his girls (he has 4 now but did have 6) but once he had shown them all what a man he was, rarely bothers now, he would rather eat and make hay tunnels

Dibby is all mouth an no trousers, he rumbles and chatters his teeth a lot and makes a lot of noise, but when he tries to hump his girls, even Nansi tells him where to go and he retreats into a corner!

It's nothing to do with the balls and everything to do with the individual IMO. But I can categorically say NONE of them changed from their initial personalities pre neuter.
 
Ok, in that case I have no idea about having him done. Seems to be mixed results and I know how highly strung and dominant Robin is, he's more than likely going to mount the girls.

Having my first three pigs was far less confusing and stressful than this, it's just getting ridiculous now, one thing after another rolleyes
 
Do you already have the girls or will you be looking for some?

I ask because while Dodge is a relentless humper, Cherry isn't bothered by it, and if she ever is she will tell him to stop by a little OI stylee nip and he backs off.

If it were me, I would look to get at least three sows for Robin - JoJo was a difficult boar prone to bullying others, but with several girls he physically can't bully them all, so has learnt some manners.

Then again you could find just one girl who either stands up to him, or likes the rough stuff!

A pair of sows may not be ideal though as you could end up with either one of the sows or Robin being left out

Again it is all about the right personality.
 
lilmisscavy said:
Ok, as some of you might know about my attitude towards neutering boars, I don't really understand/agree with it 100%, but I've been thinking about what to do with one of my boars, Robin.

He was born on the 15th May last year, which makes him 1 year and 5 months old, but because of his bad attitude with my older boars, and I really cannot have two pigs in the hutch he's in at the moment, it's too small, I'm worried about him being on his own when so young and could be with another.

So... I guess I'll know the answer to this and would say the same to others (no...) but is he too old to be neutered?

Also, do sows need to be neutered if they're with a neutered boar?! (Sorry for the dumb question, that's probably a 'no' as well!)

Thanks for any advice!
Click to expand...

I just had 3 of my boars neutered.

One of them, Rasher is 2 years and 4 months old. The only problem he had is that he scratched his wounds so I've been giving him Baytril, Metacam and washing them with Hibiscrub twice a day and now, you'd hardly recognise them!

So no, for me at least, your pig isn't too old. And I agree that it doesn't change behaviour, at least from what I've seen anyway. My first boar, Coconut as seen in my avatar was neutered 11 months ago and he still goes after the girls! :p

I'm lucky I have never had to clean up any boar-glue either from my 4 boys.

Good luck :)p
 
sorry - remembered too late to edit last post...

Thinking about it, I have had to clean up boar-glue once with Coconut (post-neutering). It was on Cinnamon's forehead lol! She wasn't too impressed - I did wonder if I should have taken him to specsavers...
 
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lilmisscavy said:
Ok, in that case I have no idea about having him done. Seems to be mixed results and I know how highly strung and dominant Robin is, he's more than likely going to mount the girls.

Having my first three pigs was far less confusing and stressful than this, it's just getting ridiculous now, one thing after another rolleyes
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I have three intact boars all have failed male bonding in the past but live happily with females.

Although 2 of my boys aren't neutered as there partners are spayed, Patrick is a humper but even he tires, Fred rarely humps (intact) and Milo well he's neutered and doesn't know how to hump but he does do a lot of Chin up's.
 
flintstones said:
I have three intact boars all have failed male bonding in the past but live happily with females.

Although 2 of my boys aren't neutered as there partners are spayed, Patrick is a humper but even he tires, Fred rarely humps (intact) and Milo well he's neutered and doesn't know how to hump but he does do a lot of Chin up's.
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Ahh Milo, the perfect gentleboar x) xoxo
 
Amanda1801 said:
Ahh Milo, the perfect gentleboar x) xoxo
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We all know Milo is in his own league of pig! :))..

BTW: I have One neutered boar and Two intact Males. Intact males live with Spayed sows and neutered boar lives with an intact female, boy does that seem complicated! :))..
 
flintstones said:
We all know Milo is in his own league of pig! :))..

BTW: I have One neutered boar and Two intact Males. Intact males live with Spayed sows and neutered boar lives with an intact female, boy does that seem complicated! :))..
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:{ Make sure you put them back in the right pairs ;)
 
My boy (Wexford) was neutered at the rescue and he was quite young when it was done - he now lives with his two girlfriends and appart frrom when either one of the girls is in season all he does is rumble at them :))

It is pretty painful to hear the girls when they are season though - as Wexford can be pretty persistent rolleyes but it doesn't last more than a few hours.

Two of my intact boys are a whole different story: they've been together since they were 4 and 5wks old and are now around 18months old - they are at it most days - it's definitely not a dominece issue as both chase and mount one another and are quite happy with this arragement - the crazy popcorning during and after shows me they are very happy boys... the cleanup is not so much appreciated though since i have to clean up after their 'nights on the town'
 
Doeylicious said:
Do you already have the girls or will you be looking for some?

I ask because while Dodge is a relentless humper, Cherry isn't bothered by it, and if she ever is she will tell him to stop by a little OI stylee nip and he backs off.

If it were me, I would look to get at least three sows for Robin - JoJo was a difficult boar prone to bullying others, but with several girls he physically can't bully them all, so has learnt some manners.

Then again you could find just one girl who either stands up to him, or likes the rough stuff!

A pair of sows may not be ideal though as you could end up with either one of the sows or Robin being left out

Again it is all about the right personality.
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I was thinking for my younger trio of sows, for that very reason, I don't want it to end up with a 'three's a crowd' scenario. Rose is just over a year old, Tilda and River are a few months old, but even Rose is still very small, so I don't know if his size would be way too much for them all, he's not the biggest of boars but he's chunky and forceful, I wouldn't want him hurting them.
 
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