Attempt to find a vet who has considerable experience in dealing with rodents and other little creatures, instead of simply a nonexclusive vet. Remember that typical is comparative with your guinea pigs standard propensities. Bloody uterine discharge and straining longer than 30 minutes requires a medical examination. If you're unsure how to care for pregnant guinea pigs and newborn pups, read on. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. She will give out a cry just as she goes into labor, and it will take about five minutes to birth a pup. Know when a pig is going into labor. Your female guinea was kept with male guinea pigs If your female guinea was kept with male boars, then it is probable that she is pregnant. Thus, an increased desire for food may not always indicate pregnancy. By and large, you can permit the pregnancy to continue regularly, yet ensure you have a vet available in the event that there are complexities. 0. If you have not removed males yet, do so at this point., Ideally, relocate cagemates elsewhere rather than removing the pregnant sow, so she can remain in familiar surroundings., Adding a soft, fleece blanket to her sleeping area., Covering the sleep section of the cage with a towel so she feels cozy and safe.. Symptoms to look out for include: Tiredness, silence, weakness, depression Appetite loss Breathing problems Around this time, youll notice the female cavy will be physically larger. Welcome to Animallama, a place where experienced small pet owners share all the tips they learned over the years of caring for their fur friends. I do not breed. If the male or other guinea pigs seem to get on her nerves, move them into another cage. Yes, it is important to follow these guidelines: Ensure a healthy guinea pig pregnancy by providing nutritious foods for your sow and her pups. I have no idea when she was bred. As the female guinea pig gets older, the bones making up the pelvic canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing. She can be on alfalfa-based pellets though (or another form of additional calcium). An ultrasound output can picture precisely what the knocks are and affirm a pregnancy. Guinea pups, once born, will be completely furry. They will grab the babies hair in their teeth and pull, till the babies squeal. The release of the placenta is the third and final farrowing stage. This process can take up to 2-3 hours. Nesting is common for many pregnant animals, but guinea pigs don't display + Read More Here. Guinea Pig Pregnancy 101: Signs and Care Guide (2023) by Michelle Dees; January 6, 2021; 5 shares . There should be little or no blood, especially before any babies have been produced. As a result, they may bite, attack or pull her fur resulting in other complications. Thank you for your information. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. Homegrown guinea pigs are famous pets and important exploration creatures. Approximately every five minutes, a new pup will be born. You should also provide the sow with a stress-free environment. I have experience with dogs, cats, rats, mice and even reptiles, but none with Guinea Pigs (last guinea pigs I had were when I was 10 years old and I don't remember any of it). In the presence of a male, the female changes her back (spine) which she arches downwards. A female can give . Then of course I did tons of research as I wanted her healthy, happy and live the longest life possible with my husband and I that she can. 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. The symphysis opens approximately 5-7 days before delivery (Brower 2006). From almost immediately, however, your guinea pig will eat and drink more than expected. Legitimate consideration and cautious observing are basic to improve the chances of an effective conveyance. They should be kept in tranquil surroundings and fed plenty of vegetables. During all of the stage and especially during the last stage of pregnancy the sow should remain in a calm environment. If you notice any unusual signs, take your pet to a vet for further analysis. Implement patterned feeding, drinking, and outdoor regiments. Guinea pigs, additionally called cavies, are individuals from the Caviidae family, a gathering that incorporates a few types of rodents from South America. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. I can feel her pelvis is widening! Cheers, Adrian @ GuineaPigCare.com.au, Adrian, thank you so much for making this post. A List of Safe, Healthy Chewables for your Cavies, 15 Things to Know Before Adopting Guinea Pigs, 300+ Adorable Guinea Pig Names For Your New Piggy Pal(s). I rescued these guinea pigs that were pregnant when I got them. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? For that reason, breeding your fuzzy friend should be a well-thought affair. The Short-haired Guinea Pig Breeds is the coolest. Usually, a guinea pig's pregnancy lasts from 59-72 days. Maybe Janice will have at least one son so Possum will have a cage mate. In theory, guinea pigs can give up to 5 litters per year. Or possibly when. It is important to note that big-sized and more litters shorten the gestation phase. It is worth noting that female guinea pigs can get pregnant at four weeks old. A pig that goes into heat after breeding is an indication that she isn't pregnant. mypetguineapig.com may be compensated when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else on the page. Every pregnancy varies from individual to individual but theres definitely a silver lining, just as with any other space. Guinea pigs dont typically create a nest to give birth, but you may want to make a warm, comfortable space for the sow by: Right now, the sows pelvic bone is under a lot of pressure, so minimize handling her to reduce added stress. Generally, this happens after the last little one makes its way out. 0. So you should be able to get some needed rest. During the early stage change the usual hay with Alfalfa hay. The canal is fully fused by the 7-8thmonth of age both in unbred female and male guinea pigs. Avoid putting any pressure on her body. The most obvious sign of heat, however, is her interest in boars. What you're looking at in the photo above is the clitoral hood of a gilt, that is to say a female pig who has not yet had a litter. The gestation period in pigs is 113 to 115 days from the first day of mating. After the commotion of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on the sow. Naturally, they have narrow birth canals. When all the babies are born, the placenta will emerge, and the mother will eat it as well. A sow can birth one to six young ones, yet three to four is normal. The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. Daily touch-up cleaning of her habitat to keep it as clean as possible without removing her. You might also keep in mind that some first time Mom's are not the greatest. How long your guinea pig has been for is a question only a qualified veterinarian can correctly answer to. Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, and usually the mother removes it and eats it. Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. This means that we may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase something through an affiliate link. This thing will assist you with moving towards the additional examination. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to . 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. The signs of pregnancy toxaemia are abrupt onset of depression (quiet, weak, lethargic) and anorexia (not eating). Although breeding guinea pigs is not highly recommended, ensure that your pet feeds well and stays in a clean environment throughout the process. For instance, a 2 Ibs sow may augment up to 4 Ibs by the end of the pregnancy. There are no surefire signs and no signs during the first half of the pregnancy. If your guinea pig is pregnant, she may have a single piglet or up to 3 or 4. Let us delve deeper and find out more about pregnancies in guinea pigs and how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant. Getting a pet for yourself is a big responsibility in itself. Although the cervix needs to dilate at least 10 centimeters for a vaginal delivery, cervical dilation of at least 2 to 3 centimeters often indicates that labor is 24 to 48 hours away. Subscribe to our newsletter and get access to our free small pet care printables! Sows do not usually build nests, so provide some soft bedding in the cage. Animallama is a pet care blog educating new and existing small pet owners on how to properly care for their pets. 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. You'll also see that the sides of her belly become wider, with swelling and stretching breasts. 1. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. Before we talk about the stages of your guinea pigs pregnancy, lets make certain that your guinea pig is already pregnant. It makes me so happy and very worried at the same time. I am a little glad that there are more because that means they will be smaller, but I don't want too many. Hamsters and Guinea Pigs Can They Live Together. Cessation of this agitated behavior indicates labor has begun. They may also have difficulty breathing and exhibit muscle contractions. 3. This can occur from 2 weeks before until 2 weeks after the birth. If you are present, and she is still cleaning up a baby and is not tending to the next one, get a clean towel and carefully pick the baby up, take the sac off the baby, and rub it gently to make sure it is breathing. At the end of the process, the placenta emerges and the mother eats it as well. Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. All I know is she was bred prior to May 26. Regardless of whether this is the lone sow you own, you should in any case eliminate the male pig before she arrives 60 days in her pregnancy. Therefore, feed them with enough fresh hay, commercialized pellets, and clean water. I feel her pelvis widening, but it is at about 2cm as of earlier this afternoon. I can feel the outlines of the babies. This is one effective way of removing dried fluids or blood from the coat. The period during which the female is receptive to the male and will allow breeding lasts about 8 hours. If the process isnt over in 30-40 minutes or there is an abnormally large interval between delivered pups one may suspect a problem. In general, the fluid from the uterus is released out of the birth canal (breaking of the membrane sac) and piglets are pushed down the birth canal. In these regions, native Americans domesticated them for food. The second stage of labor is the actual pushing of pigs out of the birth canal. She also needs extra vitamin C; you can give at least 10mg orally. Book an Appointment. 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 first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. There are some signs which you can look at to determine whether your guinea pig is pregnant or not. 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 . A cesarian section surgery will likely be necessary.. Thread starter GPonnett Start date Aug 25, 2010; GPonnett Well-known Member. The length of the estrous cycle is 16 days. But do you really understand what it takes to care for these fluffy friends? She. 2 Remove any boars. You must log in or register to reply here. The early stage consists of the first few days after mating. I'd cut out the broccoli slaw and give 1 broccoli floret once a week. If it helps just a few guinea pigs in the world live a happier and healthier life, then the site has done it's job. Guinea pigs usually weigh about 1.5-2 lbs. Due to the limited movement of their pelvic bones, they will strain to give birth. The middle stage is up until the seventh week of pregnancy. I even have an emergency vet lined up if needed. Her hindquarters, especially, needs extra support to protect the litter. Interesting fact The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! Note that the incubation period is normally 66 72 days. The rapid dissolving of fat results in metabolic disorders and the accumulation of ketones in the bloodstream. I am definitely no expert, but the same situation happened to Tabytha Sue's previous owner, Chris. Much like other Rodentia and those of the Lagomorpha species, guinea pigs have pearly whites that will grow without end in sight something that can be a serious health problem, Read More What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? A visit to the vet will help determine if your cavy is pregnant. Vitamin C is the number one supplement for guinea pigs because their bodies cannot synthesize it. That way, it becomes much easier to track the pregnancy process and detect health implications. Hence, when housed together, a guinea pig pregnancy can occur very early and very often.. A neutered male guinea pig can still impregnate a female. The largest noted litter numbered 14 guinea pigs. If you measure her weight each week then you should be able to see observable contrast, if she is pregnant. All in all, if you notice extreme weight gain on your female pets, feel the tummy gently to detect any pregnancy signs. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least. Nonetheless, be wary that other conditions like cancer or cysts disguise as bumps in the body. If you sense your guinea pigs womb very deliberately, you may be able to detect the unborn if she is pregnant. However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. Belly and lower back pain. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. If you feel movement in addition to lumpiness, that's a clear sign she is pregnant. Female guinea pigs can come back into heat 15 hours after giving birth. My mission is to teach others useful tips and tricks about these cute creatures. If you think that the mating was successful you should start with extra care as soon as possible. I have had sows that have run to the opposite end of the cage, like they are terrified! Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months of age. There is, however, a thin line between sounding heartwarming and scary when people say the words guinea pig pregnancy. I usually do not interfere. Moms may continue to spot for up to 4-5 days after delivery, although 1-2 is more normal. Can Baby Mice Survive Without Their Mother? ?I have a 4 year old Guinea bean & I miss her I can't clean her or anything OB says so I guess rodents have a certain germ that is bad ..? As a pet parent, youre likely looking for the best kind of bedding for your furry friends, something that also keeps odors to a minimum and poses no, Read More Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Top 6 Choices That Are Safe & ComfortableContinue, Did you know your cute cavy has teeth that never stop growing? 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. Once in labour, the sow will cry out, and it takes about 5 minutes for each pup to emerge. From the coat necessary.. Thread starter GPonnett Start date Aug 25, 2010 GPonnett! Cautious observing are basic to improve the chances of an effective conveyance second stage pregnancy! 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