Hi guys! I'm brand new here, and could definitely use some advice! I apologize in advice, because this is probably going to get long and I wasn't quite sure what to label this predicament!
About a year ago we adopted two skinny pigs, Betty (mom), and Fiona (baby). Unfortunately this summer Fiona passed away. We're not entirely sure why, but our vet thinks it was a heart condition due to poor breeding/genetics. We considered leaving Betty solo, but recognize the need for a herd and then happened to see that these two fluffy babies needed a home.
Betty is a girl, and we were told that these new piggies were a month old and both girls (stupid us... we didn't check:ashamed. We got the babies home, named them Tegan and Sara, did quarantine, and then introductions. Things went great, so we naturally put them all in the same cage over this past weekend. We do floor time every day, and will hang out and watch their interactions for a while in their cage, just to make sure everyone is getting along. We've heard a few grumbles (mostly when someone tries to steal an apple or bell pepper slice), but haven't heard any teeth chattering or anything like that.
However, I noticed that Tegan, who is the most confident baby piggie ever, does a ton of rumblestrutting, mostly directed at Betty. I know this isn't uncommon, but also know this is typically a male behavior. It kinda clicked this morning that hey- maybe Tegan isn't actually a girl. So, we did investigating on all three this morning, and sure enough when we looked at Tegan there was a little penis hmy:!
So here's our predicament... We can absolutely get him neutered (we're attached, and he seems attached to Betty and Sara, so rehoming is not an option). However, I talked to 2 vets this morning who don't recommend surgery until at least 4 months old! That's 3 months away! What do we do until then? Separate them? I would hate for Tegan to be by himself and have to do reintroductions after he's neutered. And what are the odds that someone is already pregnant?! Ahhh!!!
Thanks to anyone who has any words of wisdom. Here are some pictures if I managed to attach them correctly!
About a year ago we adopted two skinny pigs, Betty (mom), and Fiona (baby). Unfortunately this summer Fiona passed away. We're not entirely sure why, but our vet thinks it was a heart condition due to poor breeding/genetics. We considered leaving Betty solo, but recognize the need for a herd and then happened to see that these two fluffy babies needed a home.
Betty is a girl, and we were told that these new piggies were a month old and both girls (stupid us... we didn't check:ashamed. We got the babies home, named them Tegan and Sara, did quarantine, and then introductions. Things went great, so we naturally put them all in the same cage over this past weekend. We do floor time every day, and will hang out and watch their interactions for a while in their cage, just to make sure everyone is getting along. We've heard a few grumbles (mostly when someone tries to steal an apple or bell pepper slice), but haven't heard any teeth chattering or anything like that.
However, I noticed that Tegan, who is the most confident baby piggie ever, does a ton of rumblestrutting, mostly directed at Betty. I know this isn't uncommon, but also know this is typically a male behavior. It kinda clicked this morning that hey- maybe Tegan isn't actually a girl. So, we did investigating on all three this morning, and sure enough when we looked at Tegan there was a little penis hmy:!
So here's our predicament... We can absolutely get him neutered (we're attached, and he seems attached to Betty and Sara, so rehoming is not an option). However, I talked to 2 vets this morning who don't recommend surgery until at least 4 months old! That's 3 months away! What do we do until then? Separate them? I would hate for Tegan to be by himself and have to do reintroductions after he's neutered. And what are the odds that someone is already pregnant?! Ahhh!!!
Thanks to anyone who has any words of wisdom. Here are some pictures if I managed to attach them correctly!