Help! I bought a sow as a friend for my boar yesturday and I don't know what to do!

**TheatreBAngel** · #1 05-22-04, 07:18 am

I have had my boar for about 7-9 months. He's so sweet and cute, but we were going to the pet store the other day to get a new cage (I know, I know, but we couldn't find cage materials near us, the cage we bought is huge and we bought two of them and connected them.) and there were all these adorable cavies and so my Mom was all 'I really wish we could adopt one' and 'Oh, Charlie really needs a friend' and finally she talked me into getting another one. Well, they only had one boy and it was fully grown, so we thought it might fight with Charlie and instead got a female that I named Ginny. I got home and took care of them and stuff. Charlie REALLY liked her right away if you catch my drift. Just now, the next morning I read the page on 'Breeding' at CavySpirit.com and I had no idea!! I don't want either of them to die! What do I do?! Can you spay or neuter guinea pigs? How much does it cost? Please help! I have another cage, but they were all cuddled up in a corner this morning together, and I hate to seperate them! Please help!

**SpikenCal** · #2 05-22-04, 09:01 am

You need to separate them immediately. She could already be pregnant.

Yes, guinea pigs can be neutered, and it is safer to neuter a male than a female. If you don't already have a good gp vet, start looking. There is a site that helps locate small animal/exotics/rodent vets, but of course I don't remember it. Anyone else know the link? If that doesn't work, contact a local rescue and they will definitely know of a good vet as they have to use them often. Also, you can just call around to local vets, some may have ads in the phone book that list their specialties. If they're not sure if the doctor neuters gps, or if you ask them any specifics on the procedure and they don't know the answer right off, I wouldn't trust them. They may be great vets for other animals, but they need to have LOTS of experience with guinea pig neuters as it is a delicate surgery. Some aren't as up front as they should be, but some will do their best to refer you to a good vet.

I know it's hard to have to separate them, I had to do it with mine (until I found out they were both females,

), but it's absolutely necessary for the health and safety of both of them, not to mention their possible offspring.

Best of luck to you!

chordita · #3 05-22-04, 10:45 am

You need to separate them NOW. There is a chance that she may not be pregnant so you can still save the situation. Pregnancy can bring on many complications for both the mom and the babies, you don't want to end up with dead or ill pigs.

Even if she's already pregnant, you still have to separate them as backbreeding can occur and possibly kill your sow. I suggest you find a competent vet and neuter your boar if you really want to keep them together. Please read this link to prepare yourself should she be pregnant: http://guinealynx.info/breeding.html.

PLEASE don't take this situation lightly. Please separate them NOW.

**Cars_N_Cavys** · #4 05-25-04, 08:30 pm

Enlighten me, other than the possibility of having babies, whats wrong with having a pair of the opposite sex?

cavylover · #5 05-25-04, 09:01 pm

nothing. nothing at all

**Cars_N_Cavys** · #6 05-25-04, 09:47 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavylover

nothing. nothing at all

Then why is everyone freaking out saying "SEPARATE THEM NOW!!"?? Are their certain dangers to cavy's when facing pregnancy?

**NoVeil** · #7 05-25-04, 10:16 pm

Yeah, death of the sow is a pretty good danger. Overpopulation of guinea pigs, overcrowded shelters, finding decent homes, making sure those pigs are not being bred, housing concerns, food, vet care....

**Cars_N_Cavys** · #8 05-25-04, 10:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoVeil

Yeah, death of the sow is a pretty good danger. Overpopulation of guinea pigs, overcrowded shelters, finding decent homes, making sure those pigs are not being bred, housing concerns, food, vet care....

So.....................The same things we humans go through huh? :-D

cavylover · #9 05-25-04, 11:39 pm

im not against breeding one bit if you do it properly and for your own use.If you just breed to sell go breed a rare ****nig dog not a small rodent.The only Real threat to a pig is if you let the pig get pregnant over 6 months.Its very high risk then.Im not saying that all pregnancies r a breeze casue of course not.think about we can go through 20 minutes to 40 hours and a cavy can go from 5 minutes to 15 minutes which is very high stress for a small animals.Any at that.all i gotta say is be prepared for whats coming and if your not,Get a life and stop breeding.

**Cars_N_Cavys** · #10 05-26-04, 02:13 am

DANG!! Tell us how you really feel! haha! I have to agree with ya on that one, having baby piggies for no good reason is just plain stupid. I guess you have this same situation in every species of pet.....

GuineaGirl · #11 05-27-04, 01:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavylover

Get a life and stop breeding.

Alright, now that is not very nice. I understand that you are against breeding Cavys for many reasons. But people make mistakes, I know that if they would have looked up on sows before hand things would be different. But there is no reason to pounce on them like that. There are thousands of people out there eating guinea pigs right now. Just be happy you are taking care of yours okay? I am the same way with dogs, but there is a point in life where you gotta let go, and quit worrying about everything, and just take care of what you got. If you have room to adopt a poor piggy, than do so, but do not force your ideas on people like that. No matter what anyone says on here, they can either take it as a piece of mind, or walk away and never give a care. We all love our piggies! Some people out there do not. But we can only do so much. Save what you can, but remember, are you really saving them if you have too many to handle??? I believe that this message board is for people to learn, not be insulted. Insulting someone because of an honest mistake is improper. I am sure they are doing what they need to do.

**piggielover92** · #12 06-20-04, 10:23 am

SEPERATE THEM NOW!!!!!! I agree, she could already be pregnant!!! And go them neutered or spayed! It cost me about $80 to get my boar neutered.

**KmKrazy9** · #13 06-20-04, 05:42 pm

I dont think breeding is a good idea at all. You should seperate those two pigs right away! When a sow has babies it could possibly kill her!! Besides every guinea pig born from irresponsible breeding means death to a pig at a shelter! Anyways it is a better option to have the male neutered. I think it is a little safer. You can read all about finding a good vet and things like that on this site under 'breeding' and 'adding a second cavy'

**90katrina90** · #14 01-05-05, 12:14 pm

Quote:

Yeah, death of the sow is a pretty good danger. Overpopulation of guinea pigs, overcrowded shelters, finding decent homes, making sure those pigs are not being bred, housing concerns, food, vet care....

Umm.. one little litter will not cause that much damage.. they only have 3 or 4 in their first litter. Plus it's a very low risk that she'll die.. VERY low. So don't panic too much.. most the time their fine. Just the same with any animal.. why would God only make it so guinea pigs had more trouble when giving birth, it's the same risk with any female animal..human etcc..?

**CavySpirit** · #15 01-05-05, 12:39 pm

90katrina90, you are extremely close to being banned. I do believe you would be better suited to another, less enlightened forum.

**sofiemuffins** · #16 01-05-05, 02:41 pm

Not the same risks. After 6 months of age a sow's pelvic bones can fuse together making natural birth impossible. In this case she'd had to have a c-section or she and the babies would not make it. Just like with any other living creature...just because it can reproduce doesn't mean it should. You should definately seperate the male and female, get the male fixed, and hope the sow hasn't already gotten pregnant.

**phantac** · #17 01-06-05, 08:53 am

My god, what hostility there is. Why would katrina be close to being banned. What did she say that was so dreadful. Boy some of you are really nasty. It seems if someone says something you dont belive in or dont like you really pounce on them. If you dont agree with something fine say so in an adult fashion and move on. Whats the fun of joining in on these forums if your afraid of posting cause someone is going to be nasty. Who's going to blast me now?

**jojomuffin** · #18 01-06-05, 10:03 am

rather than blast you, i totally agree with you

my sis in law said last night that some people have animals cos they cant deal with other people heh :-)

i guess in some instances - this could be correct

!

j/k!

xjox

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