How Old Is Too Old To Neuter A Boar ?

[TAN]

After recently loosing Nuggets and Noodles I am now having to try to think ahead with regards to my remaining piggies.

Bumble is now 4 and isn't neutered - but has 2 spayed wives - who came from Rugby rabbit and guinea pig welfare so they are both spayed - but both girls were estimated to be about 2 years old - so they are about 5 or over - Truffles is in with Reg - another un neutered boar - and his wifepig is 5 3/4 and again she is spayed (had ovarian cysts)

So - if Truffles passes first - then Reg is left on his own (Bumbles wives are very strongly bonded and can't be split)- and doesn't get on with other boars - (he had 2 boar cage mates one after the other when he was younger and he was always the under pig and bullied - his owner then got Nuggets as a companion but Reg attacked him quite badly - so when Truffles needed her op for ovarian cysts this meant that Reg got lucky and got a wife - be
Reg can see and nuzzle Bumble and his wives through the bars - but would this be enough - or would it be better (if he isn't too old ) to get him neutered.

 

[Wiebke]

There is in principle no age limit to neutering. I know of 4 year old boars that have been neutered successfully. But it all hinges on access to a very good vet, either a general vet who has got lots of practice with neutering (usually for a rescue) or an exotics vet with plenty of experience in small furries operations.

I have had sows of that or older age undergo much bigger operations and come through them.

On the other hand, you may take into consideration that unlike sows, boars mellow with old age as the testosterone fizzles out.

 

[TAN]

Thanks Wiebke - if he were to be neutered it would be by my exotics specialist Rachael Mowbray - she spayed Noodles and Truffles and spays her own guineas for preventative health reasons - plenty for me to mull over and chat to her about - have also had a friend offer to put him in with one or two of her female piggies - that have been in with boars but haven't got pregnant over the last two years - but will give that one a miss.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks Wiebke - if he were to be neutered it would be by my exotics specialist Rachael Mowbray - she spayed Noodles and Truffles and spays her own guineas for preventative health reasons - plenty for me to mull over and chat to her about - have also had a friend offer to put him in with one or two of her female piggies - that have been in with boars but haven't got pregnant over the last two years - but will give that one a miss.

All the best! Yes, have a chat or two about hwo your trusted vet thinks about your options.

 

[furryfriends (TEAS)]

I neuter all boars before rehoming, and have never had a problem. Some of the boars have been around 5 years of age.