There are many times that we have been asked:
Can guinea pigs be sterilized?
Although the guinea pig is a gregarious animal and does not usually have coexistence problems, there are times when sterilization can become the only solution in different situations.
Sterilization can help us in a few cases in coexistence problems, in a few others due to character problems and in most cases to avoid pregnancies and the possible abandonment of the pups. We say in a few cases why these situations do not usually occur, not because sterilization is not effective. For whatever reason, there is no problem in sterilizing our guinea pigs.
Better to sterilize the male or the female?
In case we are in doubt as to whether to sterilize the male or the female, we must bear in mind that sterilization in males is much easier and much cheaper.
The reason is because the male sexual organs are external, and this means that sterilization can be carried out with a small incision, while to access the female sexual organs, since they are located inside the animal, we have to make a greater incision to access the interior and be able to carry out the sterilization.
Does sterilization benefit our guinea pig?
If we talk about health benefits, the decision can already become more difficult, since in both cases it provides prevention of diseases in animals that are not going to reproduce.
In the case of males, apart from behavioral problems such as aggressiveness and marking, with sterilization we manage to extend their life, since we save the energy they release when they come into heat, and the stress that is generated from not being able to perform rides her
In the case of females, the benefits are somewhat deeper, since we managed to significantly reduce mammary, uterine and ovarian tumors. In addition we also avoid uterine infections.
We take this opportunity to remind you that it is very dangerous for the health of the female guinea pig, which has its first birth after 7 months of age, and can endanger both the life of the mother and the pups.
