Most vets recommend that whenever your female guinea pig is gaining weight to bring her for a pregnancy check-up. Avoid putting any pressure on her body. Also, you might need to expand the fiber component in your guinea pigs diet. The middle stage is up until the seventh week of pregnancy. It tends to affect overweight sows delivering their first and second litter. Cheers, Adrian @ GuineaPigCare.com.au, Adrian, thank you so much for making this post. The guinea pigs weight increase starts with a few grams per day. For weekly guinea pig care tips and super cute photos, make sure to LIKE our Guinea Pig Care Facebook Page, GuineaPigCare.com.au was created to pass on the many lessons I've learned owning and caring for guinea pigs since 2007. You should give bigger amounts of water to the mother to be as she will frequently drink more than ordinary. After the 7th week, the movement of the pups will be even more noticeable. Create your website today. You probably wont see numerous physical and social indications of pregnancy in guinea pigs from the start. She eats those to keep predators from discovering the babies. As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. Typically, breeding reduces the lifespan of female cavies. Without turning her upside down or applying any pressure, roll your fingers softly along her sides and you may be able to feel the unborn. All in all, you will be given a visual of your guinea pigs mid-region and the specialist would then be able to affirm or negate a pregnancy. Hmmm, wonder how many the hubby will let me keep. Changes in the Estrous Cycle. Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. I usually do not interfere. Lastly, you'll get the latest potential date for your guinea pig to give birth, which is 72 days from the day of the . The next number will be the earliest your guinea pig will potentially go into labor. Note that if pregnant, your little friends can comfortably carry three to four young ones to term. Gaining weight at a regular pace is important. Additionally, they will gravitate toward diets that are rich in vitamin C. Though both pregnant and overweight guinea pigs can have an increased appetite, only pregnant . Nesting is common for many pregnant animals, but guinea pigs don't display + Read More Here. The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. Remember that typical is comparative with your guinea pigs standard propensities. With the use of ultrasound, your vet can also assess potential concerns with the pregnancy. Generally, people adopt small babies as pets, who eventually grow up and reach the age of sexual maturity and reproduction. All I know is she was bred prior to May 26. When labor pain strikes, your little friend may become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened. So it is easier for them to locate solid food even if the mother is not supportive. In fact, you may even wonder if your cavy is actually pregnant. Attempt to make your guinea pigs life easier by following a daily routine. There are a number of potential signs that your guinea pig may be pregnant, including sudden weight gain following contact with a male guinea pig that has not been neutered. As a result, they may bite, attack or pull her fur resulting in other complications. When its utterly necessary make sure she has the support of her hips. If the female approves of the male, she will signal her acceptance to mate with loud squeaks. If any of them seem to bother her or tease her, they will need to be put in a separate cage. Weight Gain. Usually, their pregnancy is non-problematic. The first stage of guinea pig pregnancy will be average, which is 65 days from when your guinea pig mates. 6 Signs of a Pregnant Pig. Once the pelvic bones are about two fingers apart, the time of birth is imminent., Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day rather than overnight. The true respect they deserve. Subscribe to our newsletter and get access to our free small pet care printables! Your email address will not be published. Guinea pigs are not nesters, so you might not notice any changes in behavior as delivery time gets closer. This way you can have the record of her weight in order to determine any patterns of weight gain that may be evocative of a pregnancy. Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. Moms may continue to spot for up to 4-5 days after delivery, although 1-2 is more normal. A voracious appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is pregnant. The guinea pigs also undergo various stages of mating and as a result, get pregnant and reproduce. Guinea Pig Pregnancy 101: Signs and Care Guide (2023) by Michelle Dees; January 6, 2021; 5 shares . Thats why there are some obvious signs for any owner to notice whether his/her guinea pig is carrying babies. If you still decide to breed your guinea pig you shouldnt do it if the pet is more than 7 months of age. Bumps can also refer to ovarian cysts or tumors. Try and make sure that the afterbirths have been delivered. You should watch her carefully if she is too fat and moving very little. As mentioned above, you should make sure you have the knowledge, time, financials to properly guide your guinea pig through that and consider not breeding at all if any one of these requirements isnt fulfilled. A new estrous cycle in saws can begin very shortly after giving birth. Required fields are marked *. It is possible to make out fetuses 12 weeks after conception. After you dry it off, put it back down beside the Mom. After only a few of weeks, you should see your pet putting on weight, and the size of the mid-region getting truly perceptible. If male guinea pigs are in the vicinity, you might see them congregating around a pregnant female just prior to labor. My 14 month old sow, Marmalade, is definenantly pregnant. Not only will we dive deeper into how you can actually find out if your piggy might be pregnant and how you can take steps and precautions towards their delivery date. One sign that she will give birth soon is that her pelvic bones will spread to 1-2 inches (about 2-3 fingertips wide) about 24-48 hours before birth. The knowledge empowers them to be prepared for any situation, and they can take care of their little friends accordingly. To feel for the unborn, place the pig on a towel on a firm surface. Guinea pig mother lactates for 2-3 weeks. The whole process from first contraction to last baby can be as short as 15 minutes, and up to 40 minutes depending on how many babies she has. With a contraction, she will reach under her like she is getting a poop to eat, and pull the baby out. Interesting fact The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! She will give out a cry just as she goes into labor, and it will take about five minutes to birth a pup. Are you able to feel the outlines of the babies bodies? no way!" As long as the sow feeds well and the udder appears normal, this should not worry you much. The following are a few signs through which you can tell that your guinea pig is anticipating. Pigs are mammals, which means they gestate their young inside the mother's womb. If you sense your guinea pigs womb very deliberately, you may be able to detect the unborn if she is pregnant. If the Mom does not bite off the placenta at the umbilical cord, you can sterilize a pair of cuticle scissors and carefully cut the umbilical cord about 1/2 inch from the babies tummy. This can occur from 2 weeks before until 2 weeks after the birth. During the first month or so, there arent a lot of physical signs to indicate your sow is a mom-to-be. Sectioned sows may develop agalactia and both sow and . All pregnancies are risky and breeding is never recommended. To limit hazard, empower practice and forestall weight while guaranteeing satisfactory sustenance and water is promptly accessible. Begin by creating a C shape with your thumb and first finger, and then rolling the thumb over the top of her tummy and the forefinger beneath her belly. The age of the sow plays a huge row in making the decision. She may eat up to the triple measure that she typically eats. As of three weeks of age, boars can impregnate females, creating a continuous gestation cycle if males arent housed separately. Their gestational period may last between 59 - 72 days. Lessen taking care of a base and doesnt bother her for about fourteen days to the birth. A neutered male guinea pig can still impregnate a female. Your email address will not be published. During this time the sow needs to be weighed weekly. Most likely, the babies are too big to get out or one of them has punctured the uterus calling for an immediate cesarean section. Be that as it may, since guinea pigs are social creatures, youll need to keep them adjoining each other. These kinds of guinea pigs are the most popular in America and are the breeds most commonly sold in shops. Sometimes, they prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get to a vet. Symptoms to look out for include: Tiredness, silence, weakness, depression Appetite loss Breathing problems They usually emit a series of characteristic squeaks which will alert you that labor has begun. If you were unaware of it before, guinea pigs mate early and often which means different genders should be separated when kept as pets. It's your body's way of protecting your baby . Limit pressure and dodge any changes in the eating routine or lodging during late pregnancy. You might notice an increase in vaginal discharge that's clear, pink or slightly bloody. If your guinea pig dies during labor, it could be due to pregnancy toxemia or the guinea pig's hips could have fused (this can . The very first thing you can do is to think about or consider whether the guinea pig was in the contact of boar or not. 0. . I feel their feet kicking me. Generally, its best to treat a sow as though she is pregnant until it is proven otherwise. Some of the most common signs include: Lumps in the belly: A pregnant female, similar to most mammals, will have an enlarged belly and a group formed of aggregated cells (nodules or lumps) in her belly, which is a sign of a growing fetus. Once she passes the seventh week, you will easily be able to see the babies movement and even be able to distinguish by gentle touch what body part you are feeling. An expectant sow would suddenly start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy progresses. 2 Remove any boars. That way, you get assured of a thriving litter and healthy mother. My Marmalade is eating and drinking great. There are three stages of the farrowing process; pre-farrowing, farrowing, and after-birth expulsion. Somewhere around week 5-6, the abdomen and hindquarters of the pregnant guinea pig will be markedly enlarged.. Nonetheless, be wary that other conditions like cancer or cysts disguise as bumps in the body. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The afterbirth will be a round flat bloody object ranging in size from a nickel to a quarter. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. Can Baby Mice Survive Without Their Mother? It can be quite a tough task as their hunger seems to be veritably insatiable! Guinea pigs are adorable, sweet pets that love to express themselves by chattering, squealing, and wheeking. For pet proprietors, gaining an understanding and knowledge of this part of their pets life is also important. Monitor a pregnant sow's behavior closely as delivery date approaches. 2. Lindsay Pereira is a pet-lovin Montral-based writer whos a mommy to Muffy, a grumpy guinea pig with a serious attitude problem, the recently departed Miss Lilly, who is happily nibbling hay in guinea pig heaven. Thats why the best age for a guinea pig to get pregnant is between 4 and 7 months of age. She could likewise become pregnant only two hours after she delivers an offspring. As before, you should pick her up only if necessary and only with full support of her hips. This is called a "postpartum oestrus," which means that they can be nursing a litter and pregnant at the same time! They will want to eat solid food within a few hours of birth. Marmalade is a red and white Coronet. Should complications arise, it is extremely important that you have a veterinarian lined up for emergency care before the actual delivery. I have had sows deliver at night, and by morning you would never know she had babies except there are little pigs in the cage! In the presence of a male, the female changes her back (spine) which she arches downwards. (And How? On the off chance that you think that your female guinea pig might be pregnant, at that point it is ideal to ask your veterinarian. Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that this isnt medical advice and if you assume there might be a health-related issue, you should contact your vet. As you get closer to labor, your water may break and you may have back pain or . Her articles provide practical guidance on choosing the right pet and managing common health issues. Fruit is high in sugar and can contribute to diabetes. Degu Health Problems Common Diseases and Treatments. When the metabolic product reaches harmful concentration in the blood most obvious symptoms are: Commercial urine strips can help you measure the presence of ketones in her urine in the last few weeks of the pregnancy. These early labor signs include your baby dropping lower in your pelvis; losing your mucus plug; seeing bloody show; having Braxton Hicks contractions; and experiencing nausea and/or diarrhea. Many guinea pig parents don't intend to purchase a pregnant guinea pig or cause a pregnancy, but regardless of your intentions, it is important to be prepared for this possibility. Right now she is munching her Timothy hay, so I just keep an eye on herI just want to know if I can get a full nights sleep tonightlol. Safe for the last pregnancy stages, pregnant sows can coexist with others. In these regions, native Americans domesticated them for food. Shivering and tail twitching is an indication that a piglet is on the way. She also needs extra vitamin C; you can give at least 10mg orally. Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, and usually the mother removes it and eats it. Apart from injuring your sow, they may attempt to mate or impregnate her soon after birth. A sow can birth up to 5 litters per year, though miscarriages and stillbirths are common. Equally, keep them in a clean environment because ammonia fumes from the beddings may affect the pups at birth. In the event that the vet affirms that your pig is pregnant, at that point it is significant that you ensure you realize how to appropriately take care of her. If you do decide to breed them, ensure your sow is young enough (but not too young) so there are less chances of complications. WE SMILE The most obvious sign of heat, however, is her interest in boars. Mostly, it starts with vulva swelling and teat enlargement. 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