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The best advice I can give you is to read up on surgery at GuineaLynx::Surgery. Go through all the links - it should give you a good idea of what you're facing, what to ask, and what to do for post-op.

I'm guessing Athena is on pregnancy watch? Especially if you still have them together? Gestation is between 56-72 days. Basically, if she makes it 73 days without giving birth from the last time she was with a fertile boar, she isn't pregnant. And Cinnamon will require 3 weeks after his neuter before he's shooting blanks.

Surgery can be hard, but a neuter is less invasive than a spay. Some pigs don't do well with the anesthesia, but the pigs I've had in for surgery made it through that with no problem.

Pregnancy can be very rough on a sow if she's very young or over a year old. Although it is more risky, you may consider spaying her, instead, if she's old enough for it, and especially if there's a possibility she's pregnant.

Good luck with them!

While it is possible a pig is sterile, its not the kind of thing you really want to cross your fingers and hope a pregnancy won't happen. But I have heard of such things before. Especially if she's not showing already, given her history of being paired with a number of boars, she is probably not terribly fertile. But that could be from a number of things, and could change at any time.

Cinnamon is definitely showing interest in her. Boars won't necessarily take a sexual interest in sows unless the sow is in estrus. All it takes is a quickie at the right fertile time for her to get pregnant. If/when she goes into estrus, I bet he suddenly becomes a lot more interested in just cuddling.

So chances are she wasn't knocked up when she was with the other boars, unless it was right when you picked her up. Six weeks with them, and 3 weeks with you, she should be at least 21 to 63 days into it, if she was pregnant from one of those boars. If you're not already, yo should definitely be weighing her weekly. As a youngster, she'll be gaining weight anyway, but if you see a sudden increase, chances are she's pregnant.

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that you should separate the two of them. Just because she's not pregnant already, doesn't mean it will stay that way. Having them together as you do, just increases her chance of getting her pregnant. Personally, I think you're playing with fire. However, I can also understand your reasoning and deductions. If you continue with keeping them together, I really do think you should get him neutered, or her spayed. After he recovers from surgery (before the three weeks are over), you should still keep an eye on her, since she could get pregnant up until three weeks after his neuter.

I definitely understand the anxiety of surgery. Puts me on edge whenever a pig goes through it. But he's young, should be healthy, and if you trust the vet, it should be a smooth procedure (hopefully a total non-event).

You cannot predict how their lives go. I have been frustrated, more than once, that I take such good care of my pigs, and I have had only one (back in the days when I didn't know to give them hay and they lived in an aquarium!) make it past 6 years old. Frustration! I have taken the attitude, now, that I get the ones with genetic issues, because I have the funds and the knowledge to deal with them.

Doesn't make it easier when they pass on when they're not supposed to.

I am so glad you found a lady-friend for Athena. Even better they're getting along. I have found that existing pigs, and new pigs, can make the sorrow pass a little more quickly. Good luck with your gals!