question on spaying/neutering

[lilipution1013]

there is an utterly adorable male guinea pig residing at my local pet store. (i know, i know, boo hiss on the petstores.) he has been there for a very, very, VERY long time... and they have him in a FISH TANK, of all things. a teeny tiny glass fishtank. it hurts me to see the small environments in which the store keeps the cavies, but most of them seem to be purchased fast enough that it's not too bad for them. even the smallest purchasable cage they sell is 3x the size of the fishtanks.

anyway, i'm considering buying this poor fellow because i don't feel he should have to suffer any longer in that tiny cage. however, i have 2 female guinea pigs that i don't want to risk breeding. (they're both about 7-8 months old and i've heard that 6 months is the cut-off age for the first litter.) if i do purchase him, i'm planning on getting him neutered, but i was wondering what to expect.

1. is it expensive?
2. how long should i expect his recovery to be?
3. will i have to keep him separated from the girls after surgery? for how long?
4. how much special treatment will he require?
5. will the surgery change his demeanor at all?

thanks!

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Don't buy him. That is pretty much it.

Go to a local rescue or shelter and get an animal that needs a home.

Don't be part of the problem, please be part of the solution.

 

[dagwellismypigy]

Tell the petstore what they are doing wrong, don't reward them for making his life miserable.

 

[lilipution1013]

Don't be part of the problem, please be part of the solution.

i would never normally buy a guinea pig (adopting really is the way to go), but this poor little guy just looks so sad. alone in a tiny little cage... and i know that if i don't rescue him, some small child will get him as a gift and he'll spend his life just as miserable.

but this point of this post isn't the petstore. i'm just wondering what to expect when/if i get a male guinea pig (from my local adoption centre).

 

[Slap Maxwell]

The only way I would support getting him is convincing them to give you him for free.

For every pig bought at a pet store, two more replace it.

 

[lilipution1013]

whoa, seriously?? that's so sad. unfortunately, i highly doubt that Petco is in the business of giving away ANYTHING, least of all their animals.

 

[dagwellismypigy]

If you are persuasive enough, you will get him for free. Take print outs from guinea lynx and www.cavyspirit.com

 

[lilipution1013]

hmmm. ponderance. i should probably also point out to them that the care sheets they give out when someone purchases an animal recommend a cage size far far larger than the in-store "habitats." they have these sheets right next to the cages but they don't follow their own advice! to quote napolean dynamite: ugh, IDIOT!

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Petco is in the business of funding the pet mills. Don't help them. There are tons of pigs in shelters in just as bad if not worse straits. The pet store pig will just be replaced by another two pigs. Who is going to save them or the breeder ones sitting the mills?

Go to www.cavyspirit.com for info on adoptiong or for shelter pigs.

Neutering varies depend on vet. Average is between 90 to 120 dollars for neuter plus the check up fee, usually 40-50 dollars. There is a page on neutering at cavyspirit.com. You need to bed him on towels and make sure the incision stays clean.

Neutering does not change personality. You need to keep him separate for 3-4 weeks, some people say 2 weeks is ok.

whoa, seriously?? that's so sad. unfortunately, i highly doubt that Petco is in the business of giving away ANYTHING, least of all their animals.

 

[luvfamrap]

to get my boar neutered it cost
$148.

 

[John4216]

My boar cost me $70.00 to have it done but he had to be examined way before the appointment to do it was made and age/weight had to be correct before the vet would consider it and the risks were discussed and (this I thought was nice) the question as to why I wanted it done was asked as well. (I had 1 baby boy with 5 girls and so he had it done so he could join them)


As an FYI my vet told me to not let him around the girls for at least 14 days because it takes at least that long for any living sperm to die. He has been with the girls now and is happy as a kite and acts just as sweet as he did before he had it done.

 

[pennick]

All I can say is that If I go into a pet shop, which would be to purchase maybe a toy, I always bypass the pets. I don't need the heartache.

 

[cavylover_76]

If you want the pig, buy the pig. He needs a home as much as a rescue pig. You can't always get the pigs from a rescue. My first two came from pet stores, but my third came from a rescue.

You are rescuing that pig EITHER way. Follow your heart.

Around here, it costs around $80 to neuter a pig.

Good luck, I'm sure I just became VERY unpopular here today!

Marie

 

[Slap Maxwell]

You are rescuing that pig EITHER way. Follow your heart.

I don't think so. Buying a pig from a pet store is NOT rescuing. Period.

If your heart says "Let the poor sows keep spitting out babies- let two more replace this one I buy- support the mills!" I guess I see where you are coming from.

 

[cavylover_76]

There is really no need to be nasty, Slap.

You are rescuing that pet store pig from a poor environment and probably an even poorer one with an un-knowledgable owner. Should the pet store pigs be left to suffer? The fault of where they are is not their own. So then is it right to leave them in a bad situation just b/c they are NOT in a rescue? Might I add that a rescue pig is ALREADY in a good place b/c they ARE being cared for?!

Food for thought...

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Shelter pigs are PUT DOWN every day. Buying one from a pet store only ensures that another pig will be put down because there is no more room.

 

[Piglet]

I don't see how getting the pig for free will make it any better. Another pig will still be put in it's place

 

[Piglet]

Slap was born nasty by the way. She's evil I tell you!

 

[Slap Maxwell]

It is good and bad- one one hand- the company loses money- on the other hand- still another pig will take its place. It contreversial- but I feel more strongly that it is bad.

<EDIT> California has some of the WORST pig overpopulation. Don't add to the problem.

 

[Piglet]

Same here - I think it is more bad than good. Space is still being made free for other animals