Castration?

[RJade]

ive posed before about little fights and things, it's not really any worse. I have noticed more marks on them now, like grazes, but nothing serious. I took them to my vet for other reasons and he recommended neutering them if their fighting became any worse, he did say though it often calms down after their hormone spikes are finished in young age.

I have however heard as well that this doesn't work! Anyone have any experience of this?

 

[DM030819]

I think vets suggest it as it works with other species but not with pigs.

I have only one experience with neutering, and it was many years ago. Tyson used to live with Gip and he was very forceful with his humping. My vet wasn't experienced with pigs but she suggested neutering Tyson. So, we did. It didn't change his behaviour at all and the humping continued until one day Gip had enough and bit him. Right in the eye. Tyson had to have another op to have his eye removed. The neutering really had no effect on his behaviour.

 

[JenniferG]

My two boars would fight if they were in the same room as my sows. I had them neutered so they could all live together in a 2 storey cage but they still fought when with the sows and I had to separate them...it didn't change their behaviour but did allow me to have them all in the same room and living with sows (apart from each other).

 

[Swissgreys]

I think the only time that neutering a guinea pig really has an impact on their behavior is if they are neutered before they reach sexual maturity at around 2-3 weeks old.
After that it doesn't make a difference to their behaviour - only their ability to have babies.

 

[Wiebke]

ive posed before about little fights and things, it's not really any worse. I have noticed more marks on them now, like grazes, but nothing serious. I took them to my vet for other reasons and he recommended neutering them if their fighting became any worse, he did say though it often calms down after their hormone spikes are finished in young age.

I have however heard as well that this doesn't work! Anyone have any experience of this?

Neutering doesn't work for guinea pig boars. All it takes away is their ability to make babies, but it doesn;t change their behaviour. It is the sign of a not piggy savvy vet to propose this.

Please take the time to read our very detailed thread about boars in crisis. The guide tells you exactly how you can test whether your boys still have a functional bond, what you can do to help if yes and what your options are if that is not the case.
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

 

[RJade]

Neutering doesn't work for guinea pig boars. All it takes away is their ability to make babies, but it doesn;t change their behaviour. It is the sign of a not piggy savvy vet to propose this.

Please take the time to read our very detailed thread about boars in crisis. The guide tells you exactly how you can test whether your boys still have a functional bond, what you can do to help if yes and what your options are if that is not the case.
Boars: Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?

I've read that backwards and sometimes it just doesn't answer all my questions, haha.
The surgery is a very good vet for guinea pigs, but this is a new vet and I don't think he probably has as much experience as the others. But just wanted to check as I'm normally more inclined to take the advice of a professional.

 

[Wiebke]

I've read that backwards and sometimes it just doesn't answer all my questions, haha.
The surgery is a very good vet for guinea pigs, but this is a new vet and I don't think he probably has as much experience as the others. But just wanted to check as I'm normally more inclined to take the advice of a professional.

You are welcome to ask any questions that have not been answered.