[Different]

Hello,<br><br><br><br>
Usually I'm a lurker here but with this little event from last night, I thought you all might be able to help.<br><br><br><br>
I had rescued a couple sick baby guinea pigs from a pet store (pneumonia) and nursed them back to health. The vet confirmed they were both boys while they were there(they truly both have a penis!). Well, one of the "males" had two babies last night! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/worried.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":worried:"> I separated them immediately because I read that the female can get pregnant an hour after she gives birth!<br><br><br><br>
side note: Did you know that the babies are born with open eyes, all their fur and about the size of a hamster?! The one came out and was immediately exploring the cage....very freaky.<br><br><br><br>
Okay, here's my question. I built a huge cage for my piggies, so I could add a partition down the middle and mom and babies will be safe, but the male is now despondent. He can hear the commotion from the others and is crying and growling. What does this mean? Can piggies be neutered? I don't want to permanently separate the two original pigs. Also, what would be a safe way to adopt out the babies once they're weaned? I DO NOT want them being given as possible snake meals....and I couldn't sleep knowing some ass was abusing them? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/veganpolice.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":notvegan:">

 

[chel]

Yes, guinea pigs can definitely be neutered. Just make sure to find a vet who does this routinely. And you'll have to be careful with the babies. I might separate them all at about 4 weeks until you are sure what sex they are. Even experienced people have trouble telling them apart sometimes.<br><br><br><br>
For adopting them out, word of mouth is probably best. (friend of a friend kind of thing). Most people will be honest with their intentions - just make it clear they are for pets only.

 

[Pescas]

Aww, Guinea pigs are love! Well, just google it to find out what they eat and all sorts of need-to-know information. And keep the babies separeted when they get into 'puberty'..And thats all I can contribute with =) I have a pregnant rabbit right now..The babies there have no fur and are blind =o

 

[bethann]

Yep, they can be neutured (or spayed, but if you're only going to do one neuturing is safer)--although I would find a different vet if yours sexed them wrong. The babies can get pregnant fairly young (4 weeks sounded right to me but I'm not sure.) As for homing the babies, I would search on petfinder to see if there's a guinea pig rescue in your area, and then see if they can help you screen applicants.

 

[Minibean]

Sounds like you need a new vet. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=""><br><br><br><br>
These pages should help with sexing the babies. The males need to be seperated from the mother and female babies at 3 weeks.<br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.guinealynx.info/sexing_pups.html" target="_blank">http://www.guinealynx.info/sexing_pups.html</a><br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm" target="_blank">http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm</a><br><br><br><br>
Also, have you verified that the other pig definitely is male? (I'm just thinking that if the vet was wrong about one, it's possible he/she was wrong about both?) Depending on how long you've had them, the other one could have gotten pregnant from another pig at the pet store.<br><br><br><br>
As others have said, yes males can be neutered...but obviously find a good vet first! This might help: <a href="http://www.guinealynx.info/vet.html" target="_blank">http://www.guinealynx.info/vet.html</a><br><br><br><br>
The info at <a href="http://www.cavyspirit.com/" target="_blank">http://www.cavyspirit.com/</a> might be helpful in figuring out how to screen potential adopters. You could try posting in the placement forum at guinealynx, <a href="http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/index.php" target="_blank">http://www.guinealynx.info/forums/index.php</a><br><br><br><br>
Good luck! And enjoy them - baby pigs are soooo cute! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/smiley.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">