Sorry another guinea pig thread - does Mike need the vet?

[phdlife]

Mike's about 10 weeks old I think and between yesterday and today his genitalia have got really noticeable. To the point when you can see his testes like a dog's when he walks - not dangling but clearly apparent! (and egg-shaped, according to 5yo ds). Is this normal???

I really should be making dinner so will have to run in a minute.

bump.

erm. two of them, actually.

If his gonads are both pretty equal size and he's not in any discomfort then probably all is well. GPs reach maturity frighteningly young.

There's lots of posters on her who have young males (mine are 18 months, I got them at a year- their 'nads are very much in evidence) I'll go down and have a check of their shape, but I'm sure egg shape is accurate. These are my first adult boar pair. I had a single boar (massive bits) lots of sows and baby boars but only kept till rehomed.

If they have a pink undercarriage and white on their back end they will be more noticeable.

BTW. Mike is a cool name for a GP

My older pig (about 5 months ) has massive balls!

Little pig (9 wks ) doesn't have too much there at the moment. Im pretty sure he's a he!

But unless they aren't even , one looks swollen or something is obviously wrong then I wouldn't worry . They just have big bollocks

Bonkey you'll find out if Little Pig is a she about 70 days after you got him if my experience of mis-sexed GPs is anything to go by .

Their are photos online of how to tell.. involves a bit of gentle pressure to either side of his 'nads and it should encourage his willy to be exposed.

If you're not sure, it may be worth a trip to the vets to check. But, if they don't seem to be causing discomfort, are fairly uniform in size and don't look inflamed, it's probably okay.

One of my boars grew a special "bum mullet" to cover his, for which we are very grateful! :)

Sort of a side issue, but if you've ever seen a male skinny pig (the ones that only have fur on nose and feet,) their balls look absolutely massive. I'd have to make them wear boxer shorts.

@ bum mullet. (How would I go about suggesting this to GP1 ? GP2 is a Part Time Abyssynian so has quite a lux arrangement round his nether regions)

This was one of the reasons we didn't buy rats. Aside from them being too clever, the males- and they seem to recommend the males- lard about with their bits on full view. (I don't mind the tails)

it's just weird, because seriously - they weren't like this yesterday! we had them to the vet for a checkup about 2 weeks ago and she had to do the gentle pressure thing to find his bits - now you could see them from outer space!

Barmy4Boars and Peter Gurney are good sites to check. They have some photos of impaction and cauliflower willies (eek!).

I wonder what comes up on Google if I put guinea-pig willies into Search

Oh lord, are my boys also going to be strutting their bits about? Bad enough with a DH and a DS who both think it hilarious to walk around naked wiggling their willies.

Now I have two pets that will do that, too! [rolling eyes]

Love the name Mike for a gp! Hope all is well - unfortunately I have only known GPs for a grand total of 5 days and my boys are babies so their balls are yet to be revealed, in more ways than one.

Oh yes. When they reach maturity they will take every oppurtunity to display their prowess (and balls)
Strutting-
Rumblestrutting-purring, deep growley purr with stiff body
Bum waving- sometimes weaving from right to left feet.
"Sharking" as my DD calls it- following each other round in a circle, GP1 nudging GP2 in the stern end

GP1 will sometimes reverse his bum into a corner to pee. And he does Territorial Pee Marking everywhere. Then bloody GP2 walks through it

the pigs are both named for characters in Mike and the Dragon (kids cartoon) - Mike the Knight and Squirt.

we have noticed them sharking; will pay a little more attention to the rest of it. so far the only thing I've noticed is that while he was never fond of being picked up, suddenly he's started really objecting. odd because once you've got him in your arms he'll snuggle down ok, at least with a celery bribe.