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What Would You Do In My Position?

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Sian25

Sian25

Adult Guinea Pig
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Hi all, as some of you may know, my 2 single boars are booked in to be neutered Thursday.

They currently live side by side...image.webp

Pairing them up with another boar each is not really an option due to the risk of future fall outs- I don't have any space for anymore separate cages so I made the tough decision to get them neutered. However as the time is creeping up I'm getting increasingly more worried about the risks involved and I got really upset tonight while speaking to my family about it. My family seem to think they're happy enough living side by side but they don't know much about guinea pigs. They have floor time together and popcorn round but in their cage they don't do much more than eat and sleep which breaks my heart.

I just want to know whether I'm making the right decision of getting them neutered to pair them up with a sow each
 
Do they fight them when in together
 
I would not have mine done if they start fighting. I would do what you have done.
 
Sure other people would think this is wrong though. Would not like to have one guinea pig but yours can still talk to eachother
 
It depends if you got baby boars then only one would be going through a hormonal stage at once so that could be an option but if not then I would go with a neuter and get them a lady friend or friends each :)
 
I'm in the 'get them neutered and paired with sows' camp. Of course every operation has its risk, but if you have checked out the credentials of your vet and you are confident in his/her surgical skills then it's a low risk op. There are many rescues who neuter their boars as a matter of course, and of course some that don't, but personally I think you are giving them then chance to have true companionship.
However, once they have their wives I would put a solid barrier between the two set-ups, like a strip of correx, and make it high. They will probably be more relaxed in their pairs if they cannot see each other.
@Wiebke is a solid divider enough between two boar/sow pairings?
 
@Garden for what reason do you think it's wrong? I think in reality it's the right thing to do to make them happy but naturally it's worrying the life out of me. I know they can still talk to eachother and they used to but lately seem to just pretty much ignore eachother.

@orangeinepig there's still a higher risk of boys falling out than girl and boy though isn't there?

Forgot to add that my boys are booked in with Molly varga exotics expert vet
 
Sorry i did not word my reply very well at all. I dont think it is wrong to have them neauted just that i would worry the same as you are.
 
Only you can make the decision @Sian25. You have to make whatever decision you feel is best for your boars. By neutering your boars you are offering them the chance to meet a sow or sows with whom to live out their days. It increases their options (and yours) and should you ever need to re home them (for whatever reason) it also increases their chances of a successful rehoming.
Molly is a fabulous vet. They couldn't be in safer hands and if she didn't think this was the way to go I'm sure she would not hesitate to tell you so.
 
@VickiA thanks for that :) I know they will be so much happier with a companion each and they're in the best hands with Molly but it's still a worry and I keep questioning myself whether it's the right choice. However, I can reassure you that they would never be rehomed over my dead body haha.. My partner and I are both girls and unfortunately don't think we will ever have children although we do want them... My guinea pigs are honestly our children and I don't know how we would ever cope if we lost them, especially through surgery that we have chosen
 
Sian25 said:
Hi all, as some of you may know, my 2 single boars are booked in to be neutered Thursday.

They currently live side by side...View attachment 43666

Pairing them up with another boar each is not really an option due to the risk of future fall outs- I don't have any space for anymore separate cages so I made the tough decision to get them neutered. However as the time is creeping up I'm getting increasingly more worried about the risks involved and I got really upset tonight while speaking to my family about it. My family seem to think they're happy enough living side by side but they don't know much about guinea pigs. They have floor time together and popcorn round but in their cage they don't do much more than eat and sleep which breaks my heart.

I just want to know whether I'm making the right decision of getting them neutered to pair them up with a sow each
Click to expand...

You are doing the right thing! Cross gender pairs are the most stable of guinea pig bonds once initial acceptance by the sow has happened; fall-outs are extremely rare.

Here is a picture of my own current set-up. I have got four neutered boars living with 1-5 sows each. Plus some sow pairs that don't otherwise get on. The normal grids are enough; each group has got their own territory. You just can't mix them and have to time-share roaming time.
DSCN2990.webp
 
Molly Varga has an excellent reputation. I must say I've only heard of one boar not surviving the op & that was done by a normal vet. I don't think you have anything to worry about, except maybe having them done at the same time, post op care is very important so I hope you will have the time afterwards to step in with syringe feeds etc should one of them have a slow recovery. Good luck to your boys, they will be happier with a girlfriend each. I think it's 6 weeks afterwards before they can go with a sow, but I am sure Molly will tell you how long afterwards they are safe :)
 
Poppy'sMum said:
Molly Varga has an excellent reputation. I must say I've only heard of one boar not surviving the op & that was done by a normal vet. I don't think you have anything to worry about, except maybe having them done at the same time, post op care is very important so I hope you will have the time afterwards to step in with syringe feeds etc should one of them have a slow recovery. Good luck to your boys, they will be happier with a girlfriend each. I think it's 6 weeks afterwards before they can go with a sow, but I am sure Molly will tell you how long afterwards they are safe :)
Click to expand...

Considering that my Tegan is the gift of a supposedly over 5 weeks old post-op boar, 6 weeks is the absolute safety limit that is also practised by all good standard rescues in this country - and so far, I have yet to hear of any accidents from that policy!

I have only heard good things about Molly Varga. You should be in very safe and experienced hands there! We have got post-op care tips at the top of our Caring for an Ill Guinea Pig section.
 
Sian25 said:
@Garden for what reason do you think it's wrong? I think in reality it's the right thing to do to make them happy but naturally it's worrying the life out of me. I know they can still talk to eachother and they used to but lately seem to just pretty much ignore eachother.

@orangeinepig there's still a higher risk of boys falling out than girl and boy though isn't there?

Forgot to add that my boys are booked in with Molly varga exotics expert vet
Click to expand...
That is true but even girl and boy pairs fall out even if it is a small chance
 
Yes I remember your thread Wiebke! Tegan your surprise baby :) How long would you say is definitely safe after the op? :)
 
hi,ive had 6 boars neutered saftley.I have always waited 6 weeks before putting with potential sows.i do not want to contribute to more homeless guinea pigs.ive not had any pregnancies.i think it is imperitive you wait 6 weeks to be absolutely sure of any unwanted preganacies.Good luck.xx
 
with a cavy savvy vet the post operation risks are reduced ,my six boars have all had good neuters,without risk.have stayed overnight at vets.have all palled up with sows with great success,and i love these pairings.i used craig hunt at loughborough for all my boars neuterings to great sucess.he has a great wealth of experience and is listed in vet locator,and that is how i found a reputable vet.xx
 
Poppy'sMum said:
I don't think you have anything to worry about, except maybe having them done at the same time, post op care is very important so I hope you will have the time afterwards to step in with syringe feeds etc should one of them have a slow recovery.
Click to expand...

I work from home and my partner has 4 days off work to help out :)
 
I am getting my boy neutered to live with my girls.Was always gonna be that way since I got him.Have a vet with great experience of neutering and great success rate.I think you are doing the right thing
 
I'm anti neutering sadly, well I'm anti neutering my own, it's up to others what they do with their boars. I was going to have a boar neutered last year after he fell out with his mate, but I backed out, my anxiety got the better of me. He lives next to a two tiered cage which houses 2 boars and 3 sows, so he's been doing ok.
 
My two boys are due to be neutered on the 16th, I can't wait until it's over with. Although I equally can't wait until I can give them both a friend.
 
Hi everyone, my boys went to the vets earlier for what I thought was their pre op.. I understood that they were to be neutered on Thursday but the vet said they are being done today. I've had no time to prepare myself but then again I think maybe that's a better thing as I'm not thinking too far into it. Just can't wit t have them back home with me
 
This is one of the reasons that I choose to neuter all boars before rehoming. In this way, the owner gets a boar that is already neutered and doesn't have to have to worry of putting them through an op (I do all the worrying instead ha ha). I also like to be sure that no boar that I rehome can ever be used for breeding and even if they are going to go and live with another boar, I know that if they should fall out or if their little friend dies, they have more options for the future and are less likely to end up living alone.
 
My little Hugo was so scared at the vets, he just froze. Hope he's okay. Right I need to remember to get critical care! Metacam I have almost a full bottle that was opened for my dog two weeks ago if I can use that rather than buying more? Is there anything else I need to remember when picking them up?
 
Sian25 said:
Hi everyone, my boys went to the vets earlier for what I thought was their pre op.. I understood that they were to be neutered on Thursday but the vet said they are being done today. I've had no time to prepare myself but then again I think maybe that's a better thing as I'm not thinking too far into it. Just can't wit t have them back home with me
Click to expand...

Fingers very firmly crossed for you! Ideally, they should come home as if nothing had happened or pick up within hours.
 
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