Two Boys Fighting. Is Neutering An Option?

[Tallulah Orr]

I have 2 boys about 3 years old. I have noticed that they have been fighting recently and have got a some scratch wounds on their backs. They chase each other round the cage and make their bums stand up and sway them, then chase each other round the cage. I have never seem them fight but when I have them out I stroke their back and they sqeel. Also I am not sure what to put on the wounds like and gel or anything. I have this aloe vera gel but I am not sure whether I can use that on wounds.
I am not sure if mustering would help or whether they are just not getting along some days. I am not to sure on the cost of this but I don't know whether its the best thing to do.

 

[Tallulah Orr]

Neutering not mustering sorry

 

[piggyfan]

I would separate them as they do not sound like they like each other. Neutering will not help them not fight but can be done if you would like them to have a sow each. I am sorry they have fallen out.

 

[Cavyhappy]

That's freaking me out because mine sound just like yours but without the wounds, have mine fallen out as well?

 

[Wiebke]

I am very sorry; have you made sure that they are not having mites re. scratches on the back? I would have checked your boys by a good vet. The mites could have triggered the change in behaviour; a sore, painful back is usually an indicator of mange mites - and they can have quite an impact on the temper if they are not treated promptly! Please do not home treat on spec with shop products that are too low dosed to be effective; it can make things worse.
Normally, it is just one boar who is the aggressor and the rest of the behaviour you are seeing is still just in the mild to medium range.
http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html

Another point to consider is how big is their cage?

If you want to test whether your boys still have a relationship that is still working, you can do an overnight separation. If one of the boys is perking up noticeably when on his own, then you know that he was not happy at all. if they want to go back together, you know that you can leave them together.

Neutering will not change behaviour (unlike with rabbits), it only takes away the ability to make babies and is only advised if you want to pair up each boy with a sow after a 6 weeks post op wait. You also need to make sure that you have got a vet that has experience and a good track record in piggy neutering, as otherwise the risk of especially post-op complications is sadly still quite common.

 

[Fluffypig]

Our vet suggested neutering our two young boars because when they were together they fought endlessly, and drew blood on several occasions, (although luckily they were pretty small injuries). However, when I researched neutering online most websites I came across said that if the cavies are fighting for dominance, then after they're neutered they would simply continue this fight. With all the possible risks post-op, we really weren't sure about putting them through this.

Then when the teeth chattering and chasing got even more frequent and one bit (or scratched?) the other one's nose we decided to separate them. I know this isn't ideal for any guinea pig, but I have to say that they both seem so much happier now! There's lots of joyful popcorning and squeaking, and as their cages are next to eachother, they're communicating a lot in what seems like a cheerful way.

We tried to put them together again the day after separating them, in a neutral area, but the low purring, chasing and teeth chattering started again immediately, and they kept lunging at each other as if they would fight.

Does it sound as if we're doing the right thing, or should we persist in trying to re-introduce them?

 

[Julesie]

You're doing the right thing Fluffypig. Once a boar bond falls out you should not put them back together. It's like two people in real life. If they utterly hate one anothers guts and you force them into a small area together, of course they will fight.

I'm sorry. A bar between them is just fine or you can have them both neutered and a female each. Or take both boar dating and a rescue will pair them up with a piggie personality that will match both.

 

[Fluffypig]

Thanks Julesie. That's good to know, but sad all the same, we just wanted them to love each other!

At the moment one of them's in the original cage we bought for them, and the other is temporarily in a small playpen with towels and fleeces. This seems to be working ok, but I'm planning on building a C&C cage with a separation in the middle, which will hopefully give them both more room as it'll be more space-efficient for the room that we have. (They'll both get more space than currently).

Getting more piggies isn't an option right now as we are space-limited, but maybe we'll see if we can work it out somehow, later on. I do like the idea of boar dating, especially for our playful Abyssinian. The other (smooth) piggie, doesn't seem to like company at all - when they shared a cage he used to growl whenever he even caught sight of his former cage-mate. Now, from their separate homes, they both seem fascinated by one another.

Guinea pig relations are very interesting!

 

[Julesie]

Haha that they are. With your CC cage you could build one on a lower level and then an upper level for the other piggie when they have their new friend. This way not much space is taken still.

I'm sorry. I know how much of a pain it can be when two fall out.

 

[Wiebke]

You have done the right thing, Fluffy! Once piggies have got it in their mind that they don't like somepig, they hardly ever change their opinion. They have had a second chance and it hasn't worked, so wouldn't pursue that option anymore.

If you can get to Crawley (situated next to Gatwick Airport), Crawley Guinea Pig Rescue offer full residential boar dating. That is by far the safest way of bonding boars of all ages over the course of several days. Your boys come home with a new friend each only if there has been success and the new bond has been stress tested. Other rescues around London also offer boar dating; you can find the contact details on our rescue locator on the top bar. There can be a bit of a wait for a free full boar dating slot because this way of bonding is so time consuming. However, the resulting bond should be as stable as a sow bond and you will always have the rescue to fall back on if there is trouble.

Alternatively, you can consider neutering if you'd rather have each boy paired up with a sow. This involves the need to find a vet with experience and a good track record in piggy neutering (in order to minimise the otherwise fairly common risk of especially post-op complications) as well as a full 6 weeks post op wait before a boar is 100% to go with a girl. I have a baby from a supposedly safe over 5 weeks post boar living with me, just make that particular point.
Again, dating at a rescue will ensure that character compatibility and mutual liking is taken into account, which will make for a happier "marriage". Cross gender pairings are the most stable of them all.
We also have got a piggy savvy vet locator on the top bar.

Take your time for your research and to think your options through.