Should Spike choose a girlfriend?!

[katiepops]

I really need some help deciding what to do for my boys. I've got two piggies Spike and Stripes who are neighbours. They're both males, Spike is 3 and Stripes nearly 4. On 7 January Spike's house mate Gizmo died unexpectedly which has left us all devestated. Gizmo was very much the boss and ordered the very laid back Spike round constantly! We've had Spike and Gizmo from babies and adpoted Stripes last April with fingers crossed that they'd all get on but prepared if they didn't!
Introductions didn't go well - a text book case from what I've read on the great guide on here about when to seperate them while introducing them.
Put it this way, I didn't know guinea pigs could fly! They took a running leap at each other so I dived in armed with my tea towl (thank you for this tip!)
Spike carried on eating through out it all! Bless.

Spike and Stripes live next to each other and can touch noses through the fence but Stripes just sets his alarm off at lap time if Spike gets too close, even if he's just giving him a little sniff.

I don't know what to do for the best for Spike now, should I try introductions with Stripes again or try and match him with a baby boar or female. To add to the complication neither of them have been neutered and I really wouldn't want to put them through that, especially after just loosing Gizmo and Stripes having had a bladder stone removed a couple of months ago, so she'd have to be spayed already.

Oh, what to do! Any advice would be really welcome.
Sorry for such a long post and I hope I've put it in the right place! First time I've started a thread.

Kate x

 

[sophiew (EAGPR)]

Hi

If I were you I'd try each of them with a baby boar - as young as possible. This is their best chance of bonding.

It's unlikely you'll find a spayed sow as it's quite a risky op and not a standard procedure for most rescues.

Or, if you don't think they're actually unhappy, then co existing and being able to see and smell each other through the bars might be adequate for them?

Sophie
x

 

[katiepops]

Hi Sophie
Thank you for your advice. I'm not too worried about Stripes, he's lived on his own for nearly a year now and has had to be seperated in the past before we adpoted him because he was being bullied. He just panics when he sees another pig and will not calm down even if they're not bothering him. He seems more interested in Spike now but mainly when he's finished his breakfast first and can see Spike still eating!

The introduction of a new box did get Spike popcorning again but he's so used to having a piggy to snuggle up to I don't want him to feel lonely. He's become much more affectionate with me and my boyfriend Mike now. He'll sit with me for the best part of an hour before he realises he's desperate for the loo and starts pulling frantically at my jumper.

 

[Wiebke]

There is only one rescue that neuters sows as a matter of course (provided they have some in and won't do so until spring); all other sows are usually only spayed for medical reasons.

Your best chance is finding baby boars (with a certain chance of a possible fall-out) or keeping your existing boars next doors to each other, so they can be in contact - which admittedly is not a completely satisfactory solution, either.

 

[Modwyn]

Sorry can't offer any advice just wanted to wish well in whatever you decide to do hun.