• Discussions taking place within this forum are intended for the purpose of assisting you in discussing options with your vet. Any other use of advice given here is done so at your risk, is solely your responsibility and not that of this forum or its owner. Before posting it is your responsibility you abide by this Statement

Swollen testicle 2 year old boar

Pigglemama

Pigglemama

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Nov 1, 2021
Messages
147
Reaction score
137
Points
300
Location
Uk
Hi- Could anyone please advise? My boar Percy has one swollen harder testicle. I will make a vets app tomorrow but in the meantime I wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar with their boars? I am so worried he’ll need an op! He is is usual happy self x
 

Attachments

  • 16B901C9-B2FF-4471-AFF4-2717BE485785.webp
    16B901C9-B2FF-4471-AFF4-2717BE485785.webp
    66.6 KB · Views: 22
  • DDB1230D-C08C-4749-87DE-EBACAB0FDE67.webp
    DDB1230D-C08C-4749-87DE-EBACAB0FDE67.webp
    20.6 KB · Views: 22
I have no idea about those body parts! But sure looks tender, poor boy. I have my fingers crossed for your vets appointment tomorrow. Update us if you can x
 
Try not to worry too much, I am sure your vet will be able to tell you what's going on. I once had a boar with an enlarged testicle which the vet diagnosed as being testicular cancer but also said it was not malignant so would not spread elsewhere. He also said that due to the condition the second testicle had shrunk, which is what you would expect (i forget the science behind this). My piggy was not at all bothered by it and as he was an older boy and the testicle didn't continue to grow and my vet said it wouldn't be causing him pain, l just kept an eye on it. Had he been younger I may have opted to have him castrated tho. Keeping my fingers crossed it will be nothing too serious
 
I know my boy Larry had this once. Turns out it was an inguinal hernia. He was diabetic and had a few other issues so the vet wasnt keen to operate, but there was no need - it just popped itself back in! 😁
It could be all sorts of things, but don't worry, your vet will be able to tell. Fingers crossed no surgery is required for your gorgeous boy 🤞❤️
 
Piggylove82 said:
I have no idea about those body parts! But sure looks tender, poor boy. I have my fingers crossed for your vets appointment tomorrow. Update us if you can x
Click to expand...
Thank you so much, I will x
 
Wheekallweek said:
I know my boy Larry had this once. Turns out it was an inguinal hernia. He was diabetic and had a few other issues so the vet wasnt keen to operate, but there was no need - it just popped itself back in! 😁
It could be all sorts of things, but don't worry, your vet will be able to tell. Fingers crossed no surgery is required for your gorgeous boy 🤞❤️
Click to expand...
Thank you that’s really helpful. X
 
I have decided to have them both castrated as my other boar Muffin is the dominant one and I worry he’ll get worse if he doesn’t have the op too. Will they need separating after the op? They’ll be heartbroken? X
 
Pigglemama said:
I have decided to have them both castrated as my other boar Muffin is the dominant one and I worry he’ll get worse if he doesn’t have the op too. Will they need separating after the op? They’ll be heartbroken? X
Click to expand...

I’m sorry to hear of this news. Best wishes for his surgery.

Neutering doesn’t change guinea pig behaviour, so whether Muffin is neutered or not won’t make any difference to their relationship.
There is no reason to separate them if their bond is functioning.

Are they both being neutered on the same day?
The key with boars is getting them home from surgery (whether they are both being operated on on the same day or not) and back together.
The guides below will help further. The second one also explaining the need to get them back together when you bring them home from the vet on the day of surgery.

Neutered / De-sexed Boars And Neutering Operations: Myths, Facts and Post-op Care
Tips For Post-operative Care
 
Oh thank you that’s so so helpful. Yes the idea is that they are neutered at the same time. I am in two minds whether to have Muffin done?! The vet recommended it as he is my dominant boar and could get worse. I am so torn. It’s great to hear that they won’t need separating as it would be so traumatising for them. Should I keep them in their hutch and run after the op or move them indoors onto fleece? Thank you!
 
Having Muffin neutered won’t change his behaviour but it would give you more options in the future in getting him a female friend or two should you lose Percy first but it really is up to you. If they are outdoor piggies, please bring them indoors after the op if that’s possible but please be aware that they won’t be able to go back out until the weather warms up in April / May time when night time temperatures are reaching double figures and there are no night frosts
 
Pigglemama said:
Oh thank you that’s so so helpful. Yes the idea is that they are neutered at the same time. I am in two minds whether to have Muffin done?! The vet recommended it as he is my dominant boar and could get worse. I am so torn. It’s great to hear that they won’t need separating as it would be so traumatising for them. Should I keep them in their hutch and run after the op or move them indoors onto fleece? Thank you!
Click to expand...

The vet seems to not know that neutering boars doesn’t do anything other than make them
Infertile. He won’t get worse because he won’t know Percy has been neutered.
Neutering other species changes their behaviour but doesn’t do that to piggies.
As Claire has said neutering them both now would have the benefit of them having more options in the future and when you are left with just one.

Please do move them indoors but as Claire has said, it will mean they won’t be able to go back outside until the risk of frost has passed. Changes in temperature are not good for piggies.
 
Thank you that’s very helpful. They are in a hutch and run in an outhouse so do you think that would be ok to leave them in that? X
 
Pigglemama said:
Thank you that’s very helpful. They are in a hutch and run in an outhouse so do you think that would be ok to leave them in that? X
Click to expand...

How warm is it out there?

The other issue will be that it may not be advisable for them to be on disposable bedding and hay while they are healing, but using fleece outside isn’t a good idea either particularly if it isn’t warm.

It’s also harder to watch them in the days post-anaesthetic if they aren’t indoors.

If you really cannot bring them inside, then you will need to do what you can to monitor them outside.
 
Piggies&buns said:
How warm is it out there?

The other issue will be that it may not be advisable for them to be on disposable bedding and hay while they are healing, but using fleece outside isn’t a good idea either particularly if it isn’t warm.

It’s also harder to watch them in the days post-anaesthetic if they aren’t indoors.

If you really cannot bring them inside, then you will need to do what you can to monitor them outside.
Click to expand...
At the moment it’s about 9 degrees. They’ve been in there since babies and we have heat pads and plenty of hay. I’ve no problem keeping them in a temporary set up while they convalesce x
 
Pigglemama said:
At the moment it’s about 9 degrees. They’ve been in there since babies and we have heat pads and plenty of hay. I’ve no problem keeping them in a temporary set up while they convalesce x
Click to expand...

Piggies out of anaesthetic have a harder time maintaining their body temperature, plus you don’t want hay bedding poking them in the surgery site hence bringing them indoors and keeping them on softer bedding.
It would be advisable if you can do so.
You just won’t be able to put them back out if it is more than 5 degrees cooler in the outhouse than in the house (which are this time of year it is highly likely going to be)

Let us know how things go.
 
Pigglemama said:
Hi- Could anyone please advise? My boar Percy has one swollen harder testicle. I will make a vets app tomorrow but in the meantime I wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar with their boars? I am so worried he’ll need an op! He is is usual happy self x
Click to expand...
I have with older boars. One was cancer. In one boar and one was not but it was very large and ugly
 
1DAFF2BB-D482-4747-8F66-4EBEDD51F831.pngHi again! Sorry for the bombardment but I noticed today when Percy had cuddles that his swollen ball has reduced in size. See before and after pig. I am sure you will understand why I am now hesitant to have him castrated on Friday! Well this has thrown a spanner in the works! What on earth would you do? Thanks so so much! First pic is now and last one was the other day x54CAC6B4-E01D-4BE1-B915-676FEBA39A8F.webp
 
That’s great. If it was me I’d leave the operation for a bit and keep an eye on it for now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top