Who Is Best To Have The Op First

[the boys]

I am getting my boys neutered. I have made the decision. I am confident in the vet I'm going to take them to.
question is...who first.
I know they can't have the op at the same time but I don't know who should go first. Hutch or fudge

 

[Wiebke]

Why can't they have the op at the same time? Financial reasons? I would start with the more dominant boar, as he will be the more difficult to pair up.

 

[the boys]

Why can't they have the op at the same time? Financial reasons? I would start with the more dominant boar, as he will be the more difficult to pair up.

I didn't think I could keep them in the same cage after the op. That's the only reason really if I can then I will send them both in

 

[Wiebke]

If they are not fighting, then they can stay together if all goes well and they have a good recovery. In my experience, many piggies do better with company as they will be less stressed.

If necessary, have a padded cardboard box ready to serve as an extra hospital ward. Make sure that the lowest layer is plastic, then something absorbent above it and vet bed or light fleece on top that can be changed quickly.

Make sure that you have got probiotics and recovery food or pellets ready (with a 1ml syringe whose narrow tip has been cut off just before it widens - ask your vet for one if necessary) in case they struggle with their appetite after the op. It is also useful to enquire when they can have the next dose of painkiller when you pick them up from the op and to ask for a small portion at home.

 

[Rodentopia]

Can I ask why you are neutering them If you wish them to remain together? Neutering doesn't change boar behaviour so unless your looking to house then with sows it wouldn't matter which you neutered first

 

[the boys]

Can I ask why you are neutering them If you wish them to remain together? Neutering doesn't change boar behaviour so unless your looking to house then with sows it wouldn't matter which you neutered first

I know that it doesn't change the behaviour. I have done my research.
I'm thinking that I the future when one of them popcorn to the bridge it would be easier to bond the remaining boy with a sow.
and because you never know what will happen I want them both done. To which my vet agrees with.
But I was wondering would it be best to get them done separately or together to which @Wiebke has mentioned

 

[twiams]

I know that it doesn't change the behaviour. I have done my research.
I'm thinking that I the future when one of them popcorn to the bridge it would be easier to bond the remaining boy with a sow.
and because you never know what will happen I want them both done. To which my vet agrees with.
But I was wondering would it be best to get them done separately or together to which @Wiebke has mentioned

Sorry i know you've made your decision, but surely, it would be better to wait till one does pass and just neuter one, neutering is a risky, unnecessary process. I don't wish to sound rude but it sounds as if you haven't done the best of research! Most people leave neutering to a last resort, many boars pair well after the passing over their cage mate. It seems your putting them through a very unnecessary life risking operation. Any vet advising this as a good idea is a bad vet!
Guineas deteriorate so quickly, many don't survive the recovery period!

 

[CaymanCavy]

I'd thought to have my boars neutered too, but I don't really trust my vet to do it because of lack of experience and it's an operation done more on rabbits than cavies here. What is the benefit of neutering and not neutering?

 

[the boys]

My vet is really good. She has got a good track record.
I don't want to wait until they are too old. I want it done while they are in good health

 

[Wiebke]

I'd thought to have my boars neutered too, but I don't really trust my vet to do it because of lack of experience and it's an operation done more on rabbits than cavies here. What is the benefit of neutering and not neutering?

In essence, neutering is only needed when you are planning to pair a boar with a sow/several sows at one point; there are no other benefits to it. I would not risk it with a vet that is not practiced in guinea pig neutering as in that case the likelhood of serious post op complications or even death is significantly higher - and there is nothing like the feelings of guilt when an elective surgery is going pear-shaped!

I nearly lost one of my boars due to a more unusual post-op complication about three weeks after his operation (gut adhesion from a band of swelling behind the operated area) when I had him neutered through the vet of choice by a short-lived local rescue. It was only through the dedicated late night help of some exerienced forum people, determined round the clock nursing, some quick thinking at the vets (trying to get things like gut stimulant and painkiller out of him) and the lucky circumstance that I happened to have a very strong antibiotic at home for Hywel's dying predecessor that he made it through the weekend until he could be seen by a specialist. The operating vet didn't have clue, wouldn't do anything and frankly didn't expect to see Hywel again! This was three years ago; thankfully Hywel is still with me and thriving, but it was a close thing!

 

[CaymanCavy]

In essence, neutering is only needed when you are planning to pair a boar with a sow/several sows at one point; there are no other benefits to it. I would not risk it with a vet that is not practiced in guinea pig neutering as in that case the likelhood of serious post op complications or even death is significantly higher - and there is nothing like the feelings of guilt when an elective surgery is going pear-shaped!

I nearly lost one of my boars due to a more unusual post-op complication about three weeks after his operation (gut adhesion from a band of swelling behind the operated area) when I had him neutered through the vet of choice by a short-lived local rescue. It was only through the dedicated late night help of some exerienced forum people, determined round the clock nursing, some quick thinking at the vets (trying to get things like gut stimulant and painkiller out of him) and the lucky circumstance that I happened to have a very strong antibiotic at home for Hywel's dying predecessor that he made it through the weekend until he could be seen by a specialist. The operating vet didn't have clue, wouldn't do anything and frankly didn't expect to see Hywel again! This was three years ago; thankfully Hywel is still with me and thriving, but it was a close thing!

Thanks, noted! No neutering necessary for me then! The only reason i'd thought of it is because i'd like them to be able to all play together and avoid mixing up when i leave for travels. There is no real reason for neutering my boys and obviously, as learned, this would only be a waste or money and unnecessary agony for Caesar and Flynn (especially due to the fact that my vet is inexperienced...which is very scary to say the least) thank goodness for this forum and my good common sense! However, as for "the boys", provided the information, i'm sure your trying to make the best decision possible for your boars...good luck!

 

[twiams]

My vet is really good. She has got a good track record.
I don't want to wait until they are too old. I want it done while they are in good health

I think my vet is brilliant, in fact all the vets i work with are amazing, but i wouldn't neuter my pigs all the same, i wouldn't even do it if i was monitoring the anaesthesia myself, so much can go wrong in such a short amount of time on any small furry, the vet has no control over the how the guinea pig will react on recovery, if they recover at all, then your putting your animal through unnecessary stress, most need intensive nursing to recover appetite etc.
The chances of your boys needing to be neutered if either do need to be bonded again are very slim as they really do live well with other males.

At the end of the day it really is your decision but there aren't really any benefits to neutering for you.

 

[Stewybus]

I can't see any reason to not have them done together. I have fostered neutered guinea pigs in the 6 weeks after the op & have had as many as 4 staying together in this post op period. Admittedly after 2 weeks I had to separate them into 2 pairs but by then they'll had virtually healed and the stitches had disappeared.

 

[Wiebke]

I have and have had a succession of neutered boars, and with a good experienced vet, there is no major risk these days. Operating small animals has generally become a lot better and safer in the last few years.

Seeing how happy an otherwise difficult to bond boar can be when living with sows means that neutering is definitely an option and a valid alternative in my personal opinion - but this is a decision that every piggy owner has to make for themselves, and there is no right or wrong about which way anybody comes down on it.

The only reason to separate post-op if one of the boars is very poorly in the first hours after the op, but that should hopefully not happen with a good vet and they can go together as soon as both are both eating and alert.