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Vet Costs Neutering Boars- $50??!

alblaylock

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Ok, so I have three boars.

I talked to my local vet clinic about neutering, and they told me they'd get back to me about it.

Received an email today, saying that they can neuter for $50 a piece! Which seems crazy!!! All the other vets I have spoken with have placed the price around $120-250 a boar! From what I have been told, they are not specialists, but have had several successful (and no unsuccessful) neutering sessions with guinea pigs. The surgeon that performs these is a traveling vet and practices at several clinics (this one being the closest @ a 45 minute drive.)

So, what do you think? Is it too good to be true? Are there other questions I should be asking, etc?
 

Zombie Queen

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I just had my boar neutered actually and researched and called vets for like 2 weeks before I finally made a decision and booked an appointment. How much research have you done? I would suggest a lot and I would also suggest a vet that actually specializes in procedures for pocket pets because one it makes a difference on how they handle everything and two you will feel soooooo much better about it.

One of the vets I called and asked questions with said it was only $60 and they didn't use anesthesia...and when i asked people about it on this forum, they said they had never heard of that and would imagine it would be very painful for the boar. Let me see if I ca find the questions I asked my vets and I'll post them here for you.

On another thought though...why are you neutering if you only have three boars and no females?
 

agirlwithink

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holy cheap!
 

pinky

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It's critical that you have an experienced exotic vet with a proven track record neuter your guinea pigs. I'd talk to the vet to find out how many guinea pig neuterings he's done and whether any of them died. The fact that they had to get back to you about cost is sort of a red flag to me. It tells me he must not do many of them... I'm curious why you'd want to neuter three males. Do you plan to house each of them with females? There's no benefit to neutering males that won't be housed with females.
 

PiggieWigglies

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That sounds a bit sketchy that he would neuter so cheap. Do research for about two weeks, ask tons of questions about the process, the death rate of how many pigs made it out of the surgery, how many developed bumps and lumps after it..etc.
 

Zombie Queen

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Here is the website I got my questions from. I asked them all. I spoke with a tech...the one who assists the vet during surgery and she answered them with ease without going ummmmm, hmmmmm, or I don't now Ill have to ask. Her knowing her stuff was awesome and made me feel very at ease.

https://cavyspirit.com/neutering.htm

I agree with @pinky though...there are no benefits with neutering them unless they are going to be cohabiting with females or because of a medical issue.

Any operation comes with some risk of damage or death and I would think that with guinea pigs being so small and fragile, the stakes are raised, so getting a neutering done should NOT be taken lightly.

Hope I have helped! :]
 
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J.Bosley

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If your comfortable with the amount of experience they have, then go for it. Some vets are also cheaper than others! My vet is a heck of a lot cheaper for Rabbit stuff than the other Rabbit vets I called, and they have TONS of experience.
 

bpatters

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I'd be very leery of it. I don't see how they can provide the surgical supplies, medications, etc., plus salaries and clinic overhead, and make a penny off the surgery. I'd be afraid they were cutting corners somewhere that shouldn't be cut.
 

lunarminx

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I wouldn't neuter them, there isn't a reason to except to stop the boar glue and that isn't a reason to justify the risks imo. Why do you want to get them neutered?
 

alblaylock

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I was just curious. BUT, the reason that they had to get back to me is this surgeon is a "traveling" vet. He does surgeries at several clinics. However, I will make sure to gain more information and make an informed decision.

One of the reasons I had considered it, is because I may want females in the futures, and it inevitably turns out that when people I know want to dump animals- they usually use me as a last resort. Hence, my doves, turtles, rabbits, cats, etc. Plus I would definitely consider fostering for the local humane societies.

In addition, I wasn't sure if there were any health benefits to this, as there is in larger animals like dogs.
 

Princess_Piggie

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If you had females, though, you couldn't house them with three males. You'd have to house females with a single male. Multiple males + Females = Males fighting usually.

If you where to get females, you'd have to pick one male to be neutered and have him live with them. Plus, if you did foster, it's not a good idea to house fosters with your personal pigs. They could bond, then go through stress when the foster leaves, that's not a good situation for them to be in.
 

Inle_Rabbit

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My vet neutered my rabbits for 50 dollars. They charged me the cat neuter fee.

I would not discount this vet solely based on price. Do some more research and make a choice that you can live with even if something goes wrong.

Best if luck.
 

Zombie Queen

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If you had females, though, you couldn't house them with three males. You'd have to house females with a single male. Multiple males + Females = Males fighting usually.

If you where to get females, you'd have to pick one male to be neutered and have him live with them. Plus, if you did foster, it's not a good idea to house fosters with your personal pigs. They could bond, then go through stress when the foster leaves, that's not a good situation for them to be in.

You could also spread medical problems if you house your fosters and personal guinea pigs.

I wouldn't necessarily discredit a vet for having an awesome price...but i would do more research and be kind of leery.
 

alblaylock

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Well based on what's been said here, I think I'll just keep them intact- From what everyone has said there are no health benefits, for wholly male groups. SO, better not risk it. I appreciate everyone's advice!

I will however, ask them many of the questions that have been given to me here, in case I ever have a medical emergency with the boys. Thanks everyone!
 

Zombie Queen

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No problem!! Can you post a picture of the boys? I would love to see them!!

:]
 

alblaylock

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WP_20140409_014.jpgWP_20140409_012.jpgWP_20140409_016.jpg The white/butterscotch is Billy Joel, the Abyssinian is David Bowie, and the large patchwork pig is my eldest, Freddie Mercury.
 

Zombie Queen

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Omg, I LOVE their names! Lol.

They are too cute!
 

Aertyn

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What awesome names! I named 5 of my foster pigs (Hah! I kept them all, apart from Bowie who had a falling out with his brothers and I adopted him out to a friend of mine who had an older, single pig who needed a buddy after his friend passed away) after 80s rockers. Ziggy, Bowie, Bach, Barnsey (techinically Mahalia, but the nickname stuck) and Chrissie (Amphlett, who passed away from breast cancer not too long after they were born).

My boy (L-R) Bach, Bowie and Ziggy
(broken link removed)
 
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