Lone boar

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ashleygleed

We just unexpectedly had to put one of our boys to sleep today. He was part of a pair, with another boy, about 1 1/2 years old. They'd been together since they were about 6 months old. Now I'm not sure exactly what we should do in regards to getting a companion for Linus, our remaining boy. He's not neutered, and he was slightly more dominant than Benjamin, not aggressive though, they never really fought. What are the chances of him accepting a baby boy? Is that something that usually works out? Or would it be safer to get Linus neutered and get him a girlfriend or two? We're in Portsmouth, and don't drive, so if anyone knows of any suitable friends for him that are either in the city or could be transported to us, I'd be very appreciative.
 
Hi Ashley,

Ideally you could try a baby boar but please be aware this doesn't always work out. I would consider neutering as a last resort. As you are probally aware yourself there are risks with neutering :(.

Wiebke I'm sure will be along with a link to Rescues. If you could take him along to chose his new companion that could help. Try and get a baby boar that is very young ie 6 weeks.

Good Luck,

Joanne
 
It might be advisable to contact your nearest rescue and have a chat with them. They can probably help Linus either choose a new friend for himself or help bonding him, or help you finding a good vet that you can trust for a neutering operation.

http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk/gp/centres.asp#Hampshire
I have seen the Wheek and Squeak rescue centre recommeded several times on this forum.

I am sorry that poor Linus has lost his friend and hope that he can find a new companion soon.
 
We put our dominant boar (2 and a half years old) with a baby boar and they are like an old married gay couple.

It can work, but you have to be careful. Maybe a piggie date would help you see if they would get on.

Sorry for your loss, I hope Linus is alright.
 
I'm having a really hard time deciding. Benjamin and Linus were never really the best of friends, they didn't dislike each other, they just didn't really seem to notice each other much. That makes me wonder if Linus would be happier with a girl. But even if that's true, do I want to risk him going through a surgery? How much pain do they tend to be in afterward? And even if I got him neutered, he'd still have to be alone for 6 weeks, whereas if we got another boy he could have a friend very soon. But, what are the odds that in a few months, he and that boy will no longer get along? I don't think we have the room to have two separate cages if that happens. This is really hard.
 
I got 2 spayed girls for my boar, that was after a failed pairing with a baby boar, who unfortunately I had to rehome!

Spayed sows are hard to come by but when you have guilt on your side you will find them, I didn't want to put my boy though an unneccessary op, I couldn't of lived with myself if something happened. I phoned every rescue in the uk and got my girls from England! Well worth it!

The baby boar bullied my older pig.. and they ended up fighting and my older boar got hurt, but to be quite honest I think my baby boar was a bit too old as he was 10 weeks! It all depends on the pigs thats why him choosing his friend may help!

It's a hard decision! xx
 
If you take him to a rescue they can pair him with a boy that he likes so they would like eachother.
I know you say he wasnt terribly fussed on his previous companion but maybe that just means he still hasn't met his soul man pig:)
I would stick with the baby boy option,Surgery done by a good piggy vet on a healthy pig can work great but there are also risks and people have lost there boars before so i wouldnt do it unless you cant find a boy to pair him with.
Remember not all boar pairings fail i have 4 successful pairs and a trio too so it is very possible and with proper introductions and personailty matches often works out fine.
 
Thanks for all the input, it really helps! Needless to say this is such a depressing thing to think about the day Benjamin died from what was most likely a stroke caused by complications from an ear infection. I never thought any animal could die from an ear infection.

The nearest guinea pig rescue to us is Southampton, and since we don't drive it would be hard for us to get Linus up there to meet any boys. I don't suppose anyone here has any single boys in Portsmouth? I'm so tempted to go to Pets At Home, but I know that's wrong, so I'm going to resist. I think I'm gonna go put up a request in the rescue thread for a spayed girl or a docile baby boy, and hope I get lucky!
 
Thats a good idea, a spayed girl is a longshot but its worth a try,and many people could help or transport the piggy to you as well,I'm very sorry for the loss of your boy xx
 
I never thought I'd wish for this, but man, if they made The Pill for pigs, this would be so much easier.
 
Well, Linus now has a new friend due to arrive in 2 weeks! He'll only be 3 weeks old when he gets here, is that too little to put him straight in with Linus?
 
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