Male/Female options (Ohio, especially)

[BigRedDog]

Hi Folks--

I just joined this forum and am happy to find all the good information. I have had a female pig for a while and recently agreed to take on a friend's male. They have been mostly kept in separate rooms, but have met (under very close supervison) a couple of times. They seemed to get along although the male is a lot more hyper/outgoing.

At first, I thought neutering the male would be a good option, but Animals Unlimited, seemingly the best exotic vet in town (Columbus, Oh), won't do the operation. Their comment was that pigs "don't respond well to anesthesia". From what I read online, maybe they have a point.

There is the possiblility of caging them adjacent, but that seems a bit terrible in a way. I can only imagine the frustration.

Any advice is appreciated. Should I try another vet? Is neutering too risky? Should I try to see if anyone in the area wants to trade genders?
Should I keep the ones I have separately or together?

I should say that I don't mind driving or expense within reason.

 

[suzy_99]

Many guinea pig owners have males that are neutered, but none the less it is a very complicated and potentially dangerous operation. I know that none of the vets in my area will even consider it. You may be able to phone around and find a vet who has a lot of experience in this area. Another option would be to get them each a friend (of the same gender of course). I would not put your male and female together, because they would bread continuously and this is bad for the female. If you are not that attached to your guinea, I see no problem with trading for a female.
Adjacent cages are really not that terrible. They still get to communicate with each other, but there is no chance of pregnancy and the females only go into heat for about 1 day every 15 days, but I am not sure about males.

 

[dagwellismypigy]

their males they are always in heat! just kidding
But i think that is true males dont really go into heat, correct me if I'm wrong though.

 

[BigRedDog]

Sorry, my comment about keeping them together or separate was only about whether their cages would be close. There is no way that I will let them breed. (Birth control for GPs would sure be nice!).

 

[izzywizzywoo513]

Neutering can be a great way for your female to have a companion. One suggestion I have is to check https://www.petfinder.com, look for Guinea Pig rescues in Ohio that are a reasonable distance from you. Contact one of the rescues and see who they would recommend as a good vet. If you keep them adjacent to each other, be extra careful that the male can't get loose.

I had Magee neutered in mid-October, he developed an abcess - it was treated with antibiotics. By Thanksgiving he was living with his new wife, Abby. Magee would not get along with my other male, so neutering was a great alternative for him.

Consider the overall heath of your male if you decide to go ahead with a neuter. Surgery can complicate an underlying medical problem

 

[John4216]

Columbus Ohio area here I have a vet that does do the operation and the price is not to bad. He is in Lancaster so its not to far from you. I am under the same problem as I have 5 girls and 1 boy and though they can see each other through the cage he really doesnt like it. So I am getting him neutered so he can join the herd. This vet though has to see them first, do a complete physical and make sure they are not only old enough but also weigh enough and that you get information regarding the risks involved. I take my little guy saturday for his first physical but can't have him dne yet as he is not old enough yet. If for some reason you have to get rid of the girl you have please contact me here as I would add her to my herd. I would offer the same on the boy but then the two boys would not get along with the girls being around. I'll send you a PM with the Vet name and # for your little guy.

 

[Katie]

I say find a different vet. If he is unsure of neutering, he has never done it before. It's a fairly common practice, and I am hoping to get my boars done soon. I'm in NE Ohio, around Akron. We have an excellant vet up here.

If you can't find another vet, I would recommened adopting another sow and boar. I currently have 3 boars for adoption. Two are a pair of bonded boarrs and one is living on his own because the others will not accept him. The Humane Society in Columbus also has some cavies for adoption.

 

[Katie]

I would offer the same on the boy but then the two boys would not get along with the girls being around.

This really isn't true, it just depends on the boars personalities. I have 3 boars together and they live next to the sows and they get along great.