Piggy Trade?

**Cosmictadpole** · #1 04-07-08, 12:27 pm

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this; if not, administrators please feel free to move it to the correct place. I have a male and female guinea pig. I was told that they were both female, and discovered that one was a male. I had planned to get him neutered when he is old enough so that they could be together again. After reading about the risks of neutering a guinea pig, I am worried that this might not be the best idea. I'm wondering if a better option would be to rehome one of them and get a same-sex friend for the other. I'm just wondering what you guys think of this idea. And if it's a good idea, I'm wondering if there is anyone anwhere near me (the middle of Idaho) that would be interested in a piggy trade of sorts: a male for a female, or vice-versa. I haven't found any adoption or rescue listings near where I live, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to find a person or place that would be interested in this kind of trade. Yes, I love them both, but I'd rather see them be happy than have them each live separately, or lose the male guinea pig from neutering operation. Also, please do give any other advice if you think of any.

**clotho** · #2 04-08-08, 11:08 am

I'm not sure how much time/space/money you have to dedicate to guinea pigs, but another option is to keep both and adopt a same sex friend for each of them. Yes this would mean two cages, but you could stack them on top of each other with a spacer in between if space is an issue for you. I totally understand if you're not willing or able to take on 4 guinea pigs, but it's an option and I just thought I'd mention it. I would be leery of complications of neutering too - but if you have a VERY good exotics vet who has done lots it helps lessen the risk. I'm not sure I'd be able to part with any of my piggies.

**Cosmictadpole** · #3 04-08-08, 12:02 pm

Thanks for the reply, Clotho. A friend for each is an option I've thought of, but I can't make that work in my current living situation. I think I'm just going to wait and mull over my options. I guess I don't have to do something about it right this second, but I can tell that they are so lonely, and it breaks my heart!

**clotho** · #4 04-08-08, 08:27 pm

What about building them a large cage that is separated into two parts so they can see/smell each other but not get to each other? That way they have company but you won't end up with babies.

If you do decide to go that route, you would have to make certain the cage is VERY well constructed - use extra zip ties!! Also the male's side of the cage would need a lid of some sort on it near the connecting wall so he can't climb over it to get to the female when she's in heat. Males have been known to be VERY persistent trying to get to females in heat.

**PiggieMamaKelly** · #5 04-08-08, 09:53 pm

I'd get him neutered.

**cavyinhawaii** · #6 04-08-08, 10:12 pm

I got my male neutered. I was told I had 2 boys. Nope 2 babies later one was deffinately a girl. He did fine with the surgery. I was lucky and got a vet who's girlfriend has pigs. I know a lot of people here that have not had any problems getting their males neutered.

**Cosmictadpole** · #7 04-08-08, 10:33 pm

Well, thanks everyone for your advice. It's good to know that people do have success with neutering. I've tried putting their cages right next to each other, but it makes them more agitated, and they expend all of their energy chewing their bars and crying for each other. Since they're siblings and buddies, it would be sad to separate them permanently, so now I'm thinking neutering may be the best choice! I just need to really grill my vet and see what her track record is with guinea pigs. And of course I have time to think about it some because I've got a month or so until Freddie's even old enough to be neutered.

**VoodooJoint** · #8 04-08-08, 10:52 pm

I also suggest neutering. I have known of far more successful and uneventful neuters then problematic ones. I had my own male neutered at ~age 4 although I'm really not certain how old he is as he is a rescue. He had no problems at all, healed up just fine and is now enjoying his life with his small harem of females. The only thing I suggest is starting an account on Guinea Lynx :: * * * * * (if you don't already have one) and posting there under the medical advice to get support and suggestions all along the way. They will be very helpful and supportive f you and your pig and you can trust their medical and care advice.

**Cosmictadpole** · #9 04-09-08, 12:06 am

Thank you Voodoojoint. That makes me feel a lot better about it. I will check out Guinea Lynx as it sounds like it will be really informative. Thanks again!

**Maisy** · #10 04-09-08, 01:40 am

Hi my sis had two pigs before and was told that they were both females. In the end we found out there's a male and we got him neutered.. But it was too late, he got the female piggy pregnant. What is the best age to neuter a male piggy? Cannot be too young for a pig.

**Cosmictadpole** · #11 04-09-08, 08:25 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maisy

What is the best age to neuter a male piggy? Cannot be too young for a pig.

One vet told me three months old, and then my local vet told me, after seeing Freddie, that he is almost big enough now to handle the anesthesia fine (he's a little over a month old). In the neutering section here:
http://www.cavyspirit.com/neutering.htm it says 4 months is the minimum and something like 630 grams. Maisy, that link I posted above gives a lot of great information about neutering if you're interested in checking it out. It gives a lot of detailed questions to ask your vet before you decide to have them perform the operation. This is going to be my next step - to ask my vet all of these questions.

**Maisy** · #12 04-09-08, 09:40 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmictadpole

One vet told me three months old, and then my local vet told me, after seeing Freddie, that he is almost big enough now to handle the anesthesia fine (he's a little over a month old). In the neutering section here:
http://www.cavyspirit.com/neutering.htm it says 4 months is the minimum and something like 630 grams. Maisy, that link I posted above gives a lot of great information about neutering if you're interested in checking it out. It gives a lot of detailed questions to ask your vet before you decide to have them perform the operation. This is going to be my next step - to ask my vet all of these questions.

You are neutering your boar too? I read that neutering a sow is more dangerous compared to neutering a boar. At the moment I have a neutered male. He has a female piggy fren. If I introduce another boar to the both of them, should I neuter the female or male?

**Percy's Mom** · #13 04-09-08, 09:59 am

He was always talking about neutering the boar. Generally speaking, at least in the United States, neutering refers to the male. The term does refer to either sex in many countries however.

If you have a neutered male, and he already have a female piggy friend, I wouldn't recommend another boar at all. They are likely to fight over the sow. Introducing another sow to the pair would be a better choice.

**Ziggy&Herald** · #14 04-09-08, 05:02 pm

I've always heard that more than one boar with a female is bad news also. I would definately go for female. I would like to have a female, but with three boars Im just wishful thinking!

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