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what would you do - neutering question

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kkbell

kkbell

Junior Guinea Pig
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May 7, 2008
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Sunny Stoke-on-Trent
Hi all,

At present I've got 4 little girlys and Dexy, my only boy. He lives in a cage right next to the girls' pen, so he can talk to them through the mesh, and strut etc (he thinks he's an Adonis! rolleyes)

Anyway, I've been trying to decide whether to get him neutered so that he can live with the girls. He's not totally on his own, as all that separates them is mesh, but I think sometimes he'd like to actually snuggle up with them.

Would you put him through neutering, and the risk that an anaesthetic would entail, or keep things as they are?

Thanks in advance.
 
thats the same as dennis (they are a bit further away though) We are picking up Nugget from Jane on monday so dennis can have a friend :) If he seems happy I would just make sure you give him lots of attention and hugs :)
 
It's a tough one. It sounds like he is happy as he is, but in my experience neutered boars with one or more girlies is a wonderful grouping.

It all depends on how good your vet is - personally I would go ahead if I knew my vet was very experienced and had a good success rate.
 
You can always ask your vet how many neuterings he has done or whether he would be prepared to recommend an experienced/specialist vet. It is also worth asking your local rescues which vet they use for neutering. That's what they recommend on guinealynx.
http://www.guinealynx.info/vet.html

Seeing my Llewelyn, I am sure that Dexy would enjoy full access to his girls!
 
I would go for it :D Our guy crunchie was neutured as soon as we got him so he could get with his girlfriends faster, not been a single problem :)) Also I help with a rescue who get their guys done and not seen a problem since I've been there (nearly a year now :) )

Where abouts are you? Maybe we can help by reccomended nearby vets?
 
Have a read of this, as Vikki's reply is very comprehensive about what questions to ask your vet. We're lucky as Vikki found a very competent vet locally and we've had several neuters done with no problems and they've bounced back very quickly - but there have also been cases where the pig hasn't made it, and you do hear horror stories, so definitely check how many your vet has done!

Sophie
x
 
In total I have had four boars neutered and without any problem. But I do have an excellent vet who has been nominated nationally as Vet of the Year, and I think the practice may have won or came runner-up.

Yes, do ask questions of local vets. How many gp neuterings have they done? What is the cost? What is service is provided for that cost? - my piggies had a pre-op check, i.e. heart, condition, temperature, then the surgery, then two post-op checks (one after two days, the other after 10 days).

Like any operation, there are risks and deaths. It is a balancing act of whether the risks outweigh the benefits for your little man.

If you say whereabouts you live, then I am sure members can give their recommendations of good vets in your area.

Can I ask how old Dexy is?
 
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Thank you everyone, I'm in Stoke. My vet is very good with guineas, I always go to them and am impressed each time. Was just wondering what everyone's opinion of putting him through the op was really.

Goldie, he's about 1 now. I had him from a family with young children who'd lost interest rolleyes he's lovely, but mad!
 
If he is one year old and in good health, then a good age for neutering. It is a risk, obviously.

I know some people are against neutering but it has brought my male piggies a lot of happiness living with a harem of sows!

I will be interested to hear views from other members.
 
Boars when neutered with sows are happy as larry! With a competant vet there is a risk as there is with any anesthetic but please do check out your vet first.

The first neuterings I had done were at the vet recommended by another local rescue when they closed as they had been neutering and spaying for her over a long period of time- one went fine, two had post op abscesses but recovered fine after antibiotics, one had a herniation (had a reop to correct it with another vet although original vet was kept informed) and sadly passed away. Recently I got a call from someone who had lost a boar soon after neutering and they had gone to the same vet when they had asked about the success rate they claimed they had only ever had one abscess and he recovered fine which was not the truth I was livid and so was the poor family who had trusted them to perform the operation!

After my experiences with this vet I did not neuter for a year until I could find a vet I trusted since going there I have had 8 boars done with her and none have had any complications at all and all recovered wonderfully.

If you trust your vet then that is great but it is worth trying to find a vet someone had used successfully for neutering before.

Good luck when all goes well the boys thank you for it as they love living in hareems but do take your time and find a vet you know will do the best for your guinea pig.
 
If your vet is good with guineas and is experienced with the op, I'd go for it. I loved having a neautered boar in with my sows. It makes for a very happy grouping.

Charlotte x
 
I`m personally against neutering boars. Most ops work out but some don`t. The boar can develop all sorts of post op complications and traumas. Its also expensive because the vets will charge for any post op follow ups and say its not their fault the pig has fallen ill. Its difficult to prove.

I approve of neutering boars that go to rescue centres because it stops unscupulous people breeding from them or accidental male / female meets.

Seeing as your boar is happy looking and kissing thru the mesh I`d leave him that way. The girls are always happy about this arrangements. I have the same set up too. My Tommy boy is as `happy as Larry` seeing his Amy girl thru the mesh. I would be so destrought if he died after an op just so he could cuddle up to Amy.

Don`t forget, the neutering doesn`t stop him from performing. It just stops any firtilisation happening.

Why not call the `Cambridge Cavy Trust` (a reg.d charity) and ask for Vedra`s advice. Shes the worlds leading expert on all things piggies. Her number is on Google.
 
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