Piggy vet in NJ?

**leena** · #1 02-19-08, 03:20 pm

Does anyone know of a good piggy vet in Southern NJ or Philadelphia? One who can identify the gender of piggies and possibly neuter a male (if indeed we have a male).

It's not an emergency situation, but I think one of my piggies may be pregnant. She was bought the end of December and is "filling" out quite a bit. It was definately not part of the plan. It seems as though we may have a m/f pair instead of a f/f pair. Either that or she was pregnant when she arrived. Or the store mis-sexed the second piggy.

I've looked at all of the cavy sexing sites, and haven't been able to determine the sex of either piggy.

I have a feeling that one is male and the other female as the smaller one has been seen chasing and mounting the larger one. I'm assuming this is not normal in a f/f pair.

Thanks,
Leena

**Sammy and Peanut** · #2 02-19-08, 03:37 pm

Are you looking for near the Atlantic County area? I went to a vet in Harbor Village Shopping Center in EHT and he is a horrible vet. He has no clue what he is talking about. He also works at a place in Galloway, so do not go to either. They are called Ocean Heights Animal Hosptital and Galloway animal Hospital. A good vet is Dr. Newkirk at 9200 Ventnor Ave., Margate City.

**leena** · #3 02-19-08, 03:40 pm

I'm in Burlington County, so I'd like to find a closer vet. But I would be willing to go to margate if I can't find one around here.

**Sammy and Peanut** · #4 02-19-08, 03:46 pm

How about this one? I have heard that he is a good vet also.

Dr. Kenneth Dazen, VMD, Dipl.ABVP
Dr. David Kupersmith, DVM
Animal and Bird Healthcare Center & Hospital
1785 Springdale Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

(856) 751-2122

**leena** · #5 02-19-08, 04:09 pm

That vet is perfect. Thanks so much. I'll be calling them tomorrow to get the piggies in for a check up soon to see who needs what.
Thanks again,
Leena

**Sammy and Peanut** · #6 02-19-08, 04:14 pm

Did you say you needed to know how to sex them?

**leena** · #7 02-19-08, 04:21 pm

Yes I've looked at 2 sites with information on how to sex them. Padme and Vadar are "supposed" to be females. Vadar could care less if I poke and prod her to see what she is. But with Padme I have to inlist DH to help. I should probably take photos and compare them; it would be easier than sitting with piggies in front of the computer.

Do you happen to be good at sexing piggies? I could figure out how to upload photos.

Thanks again,
Leena

**Sammy and Peanut** · #8 02-19-08, 04:46 pm

Yes. Right above the genital area, if it is a male, there should be a ridge(the penis). With males, you can also see that there are testicles. Do your guinea pigs genital areas look like this?

If not, it is a female.

**leena** · #9 02-19-08, 05:07 pm

I uploaded photos of the piggies areas. From the looks of it I think they may both be males??
Thanks,
Leena

**leena** · #10 02-19-08, 05:10 pm

This might be a better picture of Padme (piggy 2).

**Sammy and Peanut** · #11 02-19-08, 05:11 pm

They look like they are males. Here is how to check: Slowly and gently push down above the genital areas. You should see a penis extrude. Do they have that ridge above the genital areas?

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #12 02-19-08, 05:29 pm

They look like they could both be males but the pics are rather blurry. If you press above the genitals you should be able to get their thing to pop out.

**leena** · #13 02-25-08, 07:16 am

Just wanted to update, they are both males. So it looks like we were correct in naming atleast one of them.

Is it normal for the younger and smaller male to try to mount the larger one? They seem to get along fine, play chase and even hang out in the same pigloo together (this is inspite of them each having their own).

Thanks,
Leena

**newpiggiemommy** · #14 02-25-08, 07:56 am

Leena,

I am so glad that you do not have a m/f pair! It is very dangerous for a piggie to go through labor and delivery!

As for the little one mounting the bigger one, yes this is normal. He is just trying to show his dominance! But do keep an eye on them because it does seem as though they will become sexually mature soon so they may get a bit more agressive. They will be fine as long as they don't draw blood!

Good luck! Keep us posted as to how they are getting along!

**leena** · #15 02-25-08, 11:09 am

I'm going to have them both neutered. The smaller one is getting more aggressive and the bigger one doesn't like it. I'm hoping neutering solves this problem, otherwise I'll be building another cage as their current cage is not big enough to divide (C&C 3X3 cage).

**Percy's Mom** · #16 02-25-08, 11:14 am

Neutering will do nothing to change their behavior. Unlike in dogs or cats, where neutering might calm an overly aggresive animal, sterilizing in a cavy only makes them not able to reproduce. The mounting in two boys could be hormonal depending on age, if they are going through puberty, or more likely, establishing dominance. There is nothing wrong with this, and unless they are actually fighting and blood is shed, there is no reason to seperate them. It sounds like it is actually bothering you far more than it is them.

**leena** · #17 02-25-08, 11:51 am

So far there's not been bloodshed, but I don't want it to come to that. My larger pig Vadar is upset by the advances of the smaller pig and pushes him away then runs into is igloo. He's been spending more and more time in there hiding out, hence I may have to seperate them. I ordered some coroplast from a local sign store to expand, but was planning on a huge second floor for them.

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