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neutering

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lincolnsmommy

lincolnsmommy

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Is it possible to have the sows neutered rather than the boars? if so which is better? and is it straight forward or is there lots that could go wrong (in sows and boars)?

thanks:)p
 
I believe neutering a sow is a very invasive proceedure and carries a lot of risks, it is usually only done where a medical condition warrants it. Neutering boars does carry a risk as with any op but if you research your vet carefully and ask lots of questions re how they neuter and their sucess rate, what stitches and method and pain relief etc they use, the risks are minimised.
I had Georgie neutered just over 3 weeks ago and he is happily in with the girls now :)
 
I don't want to scare you but i have been looking into this and considering a neuter. Neutering guineas is trickier than other animals because the boars groin rings are open allowing them to retract testicles into their abdomen, there can be probs with abdomen prolapsing and obviously anaesthetic can be tricky as with humans, However a good guinea savvy vet should not meet with problems mentioned
 
thanks piggiesforever all info is great (good or bad news). I don't ant to put my boy at risk so I'm thinkin i don't want him neutered now. Ive heard absesses happen alot after the op .
 
As said wouldn't spay a female guineapig unless there was a medical reason eg to remove a tumour.

Neutering males is the option that is normally taken if all other options are out. For example if two males fell out and don't get along and they are lonley. If you have a lone male and have no baby male just weaned to introduce him to. If having pigs live closely side by side but not in the same cage isn't an option.

It can be one of the hardest things a guineapig owner has to deceide as there are risks with the operation but there are risks with any op.
Ways to help things go well are to have a vet who is used to neutering guineapigs and has a high success rate. Before and after care is also important.

Before hand booking the pig in and having the op done asap so that the pig isn't hanging around the vets too long all the smells and noise can be upsetting for pigs esp if there are a lot of dogs barking etc.
Collecting the pig as soon as he is up and awake and well, and while the pig is at the vets after the op the vet has a nice quiet room for the pig to wake up in away from noisy pooches.

Ensuring the vet has given the pig a long acting pain killer. Also some vets will give a shot of antibiotic to prevent infection.

When home keeping the pig indoors, using a hay rack low down so he can reach it to keep hay away from the wound. Using vet bed to help keep urine away and keep the area clean and it's something warm and soft for the pig. Some of the pigs favourite veggies to get him eating asap.

Checking the wound regularly and in general keeping the cage spotless, within 7 days the wound has pretty much healed but 10 days is the norm to make sure it has totally healed up.

Had no problem with any pigs neutered here can't remember what type of stitches the vet used but the last little fella managed to pick them out luckily he did that only on the last day so no harm done.

Maybe someone else can fill me in here but not sure if vets can put stitches on the inside to prevent this?
Have had that done with rabbits but not with piggies.
 
I have had three boars neutered over recent years. I had no problem with them whatsoever. I do have a really good vet though and if you are still thinking of this option, then ask your vet how many guinea pigs he/she has neutered and if they have encountered any problems.

My three boars ... Rikkyboy (who recently passed away), Shaun and Stuart (brothers who fought so I had to separate them) all love their lives with their lady friends - being bossed around :)) - and I felt that they would live happier lives than living alone.

It is costly though ... around £55-£60 each time!
 
thanks

Thanks for all your advice. I have been given a number of a good vet who neuters lots of piggies for a rescue centre so i am hoping to speak to them. I am still not 100% sure but i feel i can make a better decsion now i know the facts. I may get one more male in the same cage but divided. I'm going to have to have a good think about this one.:p
Thanks everyone.:)p
 
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Tha is a really useful post Hay a holics!
Can I just add as well, it is always worth having some essentials in yor piggy medicine cabinet. Bio lapis, fibreplex and science recovery or critical care and syringes are such things.
Georgie had gut stasis after his op which means his gut stopped working temorarily. I gave him fibreplex and bio lapis which are pro biotics and pre biotic to get the gut working again. Sometimes stress can cause this. I also syringe fed him and hand fed him veg for 2 days until he was back to normal and pooping again!
 
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