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Neutering Your
Guinea Pig
Neutering is
the surgical removal of parts of the reproductive system, rendering an animal
sterile and unable to produce offspring. Neutering or 'spaying' a female
involves removing the womb and ovaries (an ovariohysterectomy). Neutering or 'castrating'
the male involves the removal of the testicles. The vet usually makes a small
incision on each scrotum and surgically removes the testicles from within.
The only
valid, non-medical reason to neuter your male guinea pig is because you have a
female you want him to room with. Neutering does little to change the behavior
of aggressive guinea pigs, unlike the effect it has on other types of animals.
Likewise, neutering
does little to curb mounting or sexual behavior. It will prevent unwanted
pregnancies. There is no need or reason to neuter two boars living
together. If they don't get along now, neutering won't help.
Please see
the social life page for more discussion on issues related to pairing up guinea
pigs. Please see the breeding page for more information on the dangers and
concerns of breeding.
Are risks
involved in neutering? Yes. The risks are detailed below. However, they can be
minimized.
Are there
risks in keeping two opposite-sex fertile animals in the same house? Yes. Even
with the best of intentions and diligent practices, accidental pregnancy can
happen.
Accidental
pregnancies can result in the death of a sow or serious health problems
requiring major veterinary care. Can those risks be minimized? Yes. Can either
risk be completely eliminated? No.
Please be
aware that as with any surgery, even with a healthy animal, the best vet, and
proper after-surgery care, there is a chance that your guinea pig may not make
it. Only you can weigh your options and determine the best course for you and
your animals.
Risks of
Neutering
Performing a
surgical procedure on any animal involves the risk of death from
complications-- either on the operating table, post-operatively, or later
during recovery at home, sometimes due to infections.
Neutering a
guinea pig inherently carries more risks than neutering cats, dogs or other
larger animals. The guinea pig is smaller, the operation is complicated by the
nature of the scrotal area and open inguinal canal. They are harder to
surgically prepare. They are more susceptible to anesthesia reactions, stress,
and post-op infections.
If you are
prepared to accept these risks to your guinea pig and take responsibility for
the consequences, you should realize it is your duty to minimize those risks as
much as possible. Neuter vs Spay Spaying a female is generally considered a
riskier surgical procedure than neutering a male. It is more invasive. An
incision is made through the abdomen, and internal reproductive organs are
removed.
Removing the
female sex organs means your cavy cannot get ovarian cysts or tumors, a
potential health benefit. However, all considerations and risks must be weighed
before deciding upon any elective surgery.
Pre-Surgery
Preparation for Castration
Your guinea
pig should have already been seen by the vet prior to his castration
appointment. Some vets will do a blood test to check for hidden health
problems. If you suspect any health problems, wait until your guinea pig is
completely healthy. See your vet to resolve any health issues.
Proper
weight and age
The age at
which a vet is willing to castrate a cavy varies. Some have a two month
minimum, others 3 or 4. Four months old is preferable. He should also be
a good weight. 650 grams is the minimum, heavier is better.
We have had
guinea pigs neutered who are 3 to 4 years old as well. While there isn't an age
limit on a healthy adult guinea pig, seniors should not be subjected to the
additional stress of undergoing unnecessary surgery.
Fasting
prior to surgery is NOT necessary. At most, removing food one or two hours
prior to surgery is all that is necessary. Food should be available for the
post-surgery recovery period.
Fasting
animals too long can cause hypoglycemia and gastrointestinal changes resulting
in an inability to properly use the nutrition they get post-operatively.
Cavies do
not vomit and that
is another reason fasting is not necessary. Vomiting post-operatively is a main
reason we fast cats, dogs, and even humans. It is a cause of aspiration
pneumonia and/or choking, but not an issue with guinea pigs.
Post-Surgical
Care Antibiotics and
Pain Medication
Ask for
antibiotics for 5 days (Baytril) and possibly pain medication for 3 days. Pain
meds are optional and usually not needed. However, a reason to use pain meds is
to encourage eating after the surgery.
When an
animal is in pain, they have a tendency not to eat. There are two types of pain
meds--NSAIDs and narcotics. NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are
similar to aspirin.
For guinea
pigs, these include carprofen (or Rimadyl, a brand name of the drug carprofen)
and Meloxicam. Some vets prescribe narcotic pain relievers such as Torbutrol or
Torbugesic (brand names of butorphanols) and Buprenex (brand name of
buprenorphine). These are usually prescribed after more invasive and painful
surgeries and generally not needed after a castration.
Towels for
bedding Keep him on clean terrycloth towels for at least 3 days, longer
depending on how the suture site looks. Change the bedding frequently--at least
twice a day. If your guinea pig chews on the towels, use flat newspaper instead
(not shredded). White towels are best; you can monitor any bleeding and poop
and pee output more easily.
Reduce
strenuous activity. Isolate the guinea pig from any other cage companions. Also,
if your cage has any ramps or upperdeck access or anything to climb over,
remove any such items or access until your guinea pig has completely recovered
-- one to two weeks. Check incision site regularly You must look at the
incision site at least once a day for the first few days.
If the vet
used surgical glue, look to make sure the incision site remains closed. If the
vet used stitches or staples, make sure they are in place and look normal.
Watch for
swelling. Any pus indicates an infection. If you have to take the guinea pig
back to the vet to have stitches or staples removed, continue the postop care
and monitoring until you are certain there is no possible infection at the
suture site.
Extra
Vitamin C In addition to adequate food and water, increase the daily vitamin C
supplement to 50-75 mg, depending on the weight of the guinea pig.
Monitor
weight. Weigh him
daily and make sure he is eating. Your guinea pig should be eating within a
hour or two after surgery.
Monitor behavior.
Watch his behavior and contact the vet if there are any problems. Problematic
behavior would include lethargy and not eating.
Waiting
Period. Make sure you
wait three to four weeks after surgery before placing your neutered male
with a female. The male needs time for any live sperm to die or work its way
out of his system.
Residual
Benefits of Neutering Males
The only
reason to neuter your boar is to render him sterile so that he can be with
females without risk of pregnancy. However, there are some potential side
benefits with neutered male guinea pigs.
As male
guinea pigs age, some boars will develop an impaction problem when they
get older. Neutering tends to decrease the chance of impaction later in life.
It seems that the sometimes large testicles can contribute to the impaction of
the rectal pouch area
Some males
have an active scent gland (just about the tail area) with a noticeable waxy or
greasy buildup. Neutering seems to reduce the waxy scent gland buildup. –
While sexual
and aggressive behavior does not change much with a male once neutered,
for some guinea pigs, over a longer period of time, their sexual aggression is
reduced.
