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Post by tlopez on Jan 23, 2011 2:26:01 GMT
I got my very first guinea pigs from my boyfriend who purchased them from a local pet store. He bought the only two they had because he knew they were social animals. The pet store had no info on them so it wasn't until later that we noticed one was a girl and the other a boy. Now they are happily living together and it would break my heart to give one away or separate them. Dante even cries when I take Luna away for some one on one.
Should I neuter him? [Dante]
I don't think I can take on a pregnant sow yet and I want to take in rescued pigs in the future. I read up a lot on the pros and cons and I just wanted some feed back from other cavy lovers. What should I do?!
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Post by kellyb on Jan 23, 2011 4:01:51 GMT
Uh-oh. So they've been living in the same cage this whole time? If so, there's probably a 99.9% chance that you now have a pregnant female. I've never bred piggies, but from what I hear it's pretty easy for females to get pregnant if living with a boar (who's not neutered). I've also read that it can stress out a pregnant female to live with a (non-neutered) boar. How old are they? I'm not sure at what age they begin to mate, but I'm guessing that if they were old enough to be sold at a pet store, they're probably old enough. (I know this is a silly question, but just for some hope, are you absolutely sure of their genders now?)
So that being said, I'm certainly not an expert, but my advice would be to put a grid barrier down your cage, so they can still see each other and even lay down next to eachother (so long as the boar is not going crazy) and if you want them to live together in the future, then he should be neutered. But even after the surgery (I've read) it's not fully effective for about a month??? Or something like that. So he'll need to live separate for a while.
Be sure to keep a close eye on your female for signs of pregnancy. It's quite likely she is now. From what I hear it takes quite a while for her pregnancy to be easily visible.
Keep us posted! Good luck with it all!
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Post by Kayleigh on Jan 23, 2011 9:00:14 GMT
If the piggies have been living togeather theres a high chance Luna will be pregnant. You must seperate both piggies until something is sorted. As Kelly has said you could put a barrier down the middle so the pigs can see and smell eachother but not get at eachother. This may stress the boar out so it may not work for long.
As for neutering, i have two neutered boars and both came around from the surgery etc very well. You must find a good vet and ask alot of questions before hand. How many times have they neutered guinea pigs? whats their success rate? etc etc.
The boar will not be able to go in with the sow for at least 6 weeks after his operation, thats to avoid possible pregnancy during that time. Once he is healed and the stitches have either dissolved or been removed he should be fine and live happily with Luna.
There are pros and cons to getting your boar neutered. You must be aware of the risks, you may loose the boar, he may become infected after surgery which will cause pain and an open ish wound which would need treated asap. The cost is also there not only for the neutering but also the aftercare.
All that being said if you want your two pigs to live togeather then thats your best option. If you have the space / money and your sow is pregnant you could keep a sow and boar from the litter to pair with mother and father.
Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.
Kayleigh
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Post by tlopez on Jan 23, 2011 15:29:58 GMT
Well I'm not even sure how old they are  I think Dante is older than Luna. I've watched them and I've seen Dante go to sniff her private but she always rejects him and jumps away. I know I cant watch their every move all the time, but he's never successfully mounted her. I'm pretty positive about their genders, I did the pressure check and it only worked on Dante which he was a male. I will do more research about the neutering but I think I'm going to have to neuter him. But I guess for now, I'll separate them. But if she is pregnant I will still be happy. Babies are so cute ! I'll keep you posted thanks. |
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Post by tlopez on Jan 23, 2011 19:43:24 GMT
Yes, I will have to get him neutered. And I will keep them separated after the surgery. Ill talk the all the vets in town until I find a good one. And I'll find money for him. I would be very upset if I lost him but I'm going to find the best conditions for him. I have the space and if I needed to I could enlarge their cage if I moved the furniture around. That would be perfect if she had a sow and a boar, and I'll definitely consider that if she does have babies (:
I have high hopes for my Dante.
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Post by heeeeeeeeeyyyy on Jan 23, 2011 23:51:46 GMT
Aww, that is cute  I'm sure your piggies are happy! |
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Post by tlopez on Jan 26, 2011 3:33:57 GMT
Thanks, they popcorn all the time |
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Post by Orlaith on Jan 31, 2011 10:58:53 GMT
As has been said, make sure you ask loads of questions of your vet and be ready to separate them for a few weeks once the operation is done.
When I got my boy Xander neutered his girlfriend was already pregnant but he still had to live apart for a week to let his wounds heal up. He also got an infection that formed an abscess a few months later that had been lying dormant and he had to be rushed to the emergency vet and if we hadn't gotten him there in time he would have died. I'm not trying to scare you, just trying to give you the facts. He's perfectly fine now and he has recovered completely, but it was a bit scary for a while. So ask your vet if there are emergency facilities in the area as well, just in case.
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Post by tlopez on Feb 5, 2011 3:17:55 GMT
Okay I will. It is very scary, but I have to face the facts. Im glad he's okay !
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