The pig occupies a lot of space too. Her articles provide practical guidance on choosing the right pet and managing common health issues. Safety from injury should take precedence over hygiene. Caution: What makes guinea pigs very different from humans in pregnancy is their lactation patterns. Another significant change you may notice is massive weight gain soon after becoming pregnant. A pregnant guinea pig is also at a higher risk of pregnancy ketosis resulting from appetite loss, large litter size, or underdeveloped blood vessels in the uterus (mostly inherited). I have seen all four pups nursing, and beginning to popcorn and play. The contents of My Animals are written for informational purposes. Register for free to enjoy the full benefits. Such a piggy turns out to be defensive or territorial towards others. They all are very healthy, thankfully. If you suspect that your female guinea pig may be pregnant, then it is best to consult your veterinarian. Finally, have the pregnancy confirmed by a veterinarian, who can perform an ultrasound and give you information about caring for a pregnant guinea pig. 4. 6 Signs of a Pregnant Pig Some of the signs to watch out for include: 1. Try and make sure that the afterbirths have been delivered. Its a stage after fertilization, and the zygote is in its early stage of development. Toxemia is the result of a metabolic imbalance, which causes the guinea pig to become gravely ill. Calcium deficiency often displays similar symptoms, but it is the result of a calcium imbalance, whereas toxemia happens due to internal complications associated with impaired blood supply to the uterus. She drinks a lot of water, and the weight gain is noticeable. I am monitoring her closely and the vet is on standby tomorrow and Sat AM. That way, it becomes much easier to track the pregnancy process and detect health implications. She has has a very small amount of blood, and she will not come out of the kitchen area. Now you know that age is a primary factor in breeding female guinea pigs to avoid problems with delivery. Its a go-ahead! Swollen Teats and Belly This is an obvious sign of pregnancy but is unfortunately not usually apparent until around three months of gestation. So do not be surprised if a young little guinea pig you just brought home is already pregnant! The sow with the record of delivering many piglets had 14. Its good for your cavy vet to be present when the pig is delivering to ensure she receives prompt help should there be any problem. So you should. I researched, stressed, slept . The whole process should take no more than 40 minutes. Sometimes, they prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get to a vet. I'm glad everything went well, how are momma and babies doing? She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Remember that a cold climate triggers a guinea pigs appetite. During pregnancy, you will need to provide your guinea pig with a clean cage or hutch. She may start yelping or crying when the contraction of the pelvis bones starts. have company. Sometimes, small particles of fecal matter or meconium appear in the discharge. The release of the placenta is the third and final farrowing stage. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. If you notice your guinea pig eating and drinking more, look for other signals. The ultrasound exam involves involves clipping a small square of fur and applying gel to the exposed skin. In this article, you will deep-dive into the best age to breed a guinea pig, how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant, caring for a pregnant guinea pig, helping a guinea pig give birth, etc. Ultrasounds are non-invasive and do not require sedation. You shouldnt give it less food than it needs, nor overfeed it. run your fingers down her spine and when you get to the end . Sometimes the mother tends to eat the placenta of the pups, but if she hasnt, remove and dispose of it correctly. After some bleeding last night, I stayed up with her and she had no signs of contractions or labor. Fingers crossed for you, my pigs will wheek for your sow! As they grow, the opening fuses and becomes a stiff bony bridge. Mom's can, and are, very vigorous in cleaning up these babies! One of my guinea pigs is pregnant! This is easily detectable by squeezing the teats. Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day. Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. Sad to say good-bye, but I will be glad to be a 4 guinea pigs and have a little less work. You must log in or register to reply here. Pregnancy is likely to change the behaviors of your guinea pig. So you wouldnt have to worry about them running away to places they are not supposed to go. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. Difficulty in giving birth is also common if guinea pigs are bred late. She may have doubled her weight when about to give birth. The piggy depends on you for all its requirements. During the last pregnancy stages, pregnant piggies tend to overeat. Guinea pigs giving a birth is a fantastic moment. This could increase her stress and affect her eating and drinking habits. If you see your sow bleeding, more than a tablespoon, dripping blood, or many pieces of bloody bedding with no babies, you are best advised to get to a vet. You need to understand that your guinea pig cannot bear the pain of her pregnancy when she gets handled by you. Medical Disclaimer: VIVOPets.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. But what I was certain about, is that no other guinea pig should face the same fate. Caring for a pregnant guinea pig can be tiresome but knowing that youre anticipating new offspring soon keeps us motivated. No relationship can survive without understanding. This is normal behavior for an expectant mother but only in conjunction with the other signs. Pregnancy toxemia or ketosis is a life-threatening condition common with pregnant guinea pigs, especially within a few days of giving birth. Even though having a vet all the time is not convenient. Usually, a guinea pig delivery process is a bloodless and speedy course. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_12',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-1-0');Unlike humans who may experience contractions for hours at a stretch, guinea pigs do not take longer than half an hour for the delivery of their litter. So it is easier for them to locate solid food even if the mother is not supportive. However, they are more prone to health problems in the latter stages of pregnancy. Apart from injuring your sow, they may attempt to mate or impregnate her soon after birth. Once the pups come out, the mother licks and devours the fetal substances plus the placenta. The babies try eating from the very first day, and they are born with enough reserve of energy (usually) to sustain until Mom's instincts kick in. On the other hand, boars should be at least 34 months old before mating. Now that you have a pregnant guinea pig lets deep-dive into the four best steps to care for the cavy. My guinea pig is a female American guinea pig. The other? Use your dominant hand to feel her belly. Once, I had a friend who didnt care about a drastic weight change in his female guinea pig. Just like with humans, a pregnant hamster is eating for twoor 10! In the final weeks of gestation, your guinea pig will already have enough difficulties to move around and doesnt need to have fat accumulated. By using our site, you agree to our. For an effective process, ensure that your pregnant sows consume fresh veggies and fruits hay each day. They also have fur and teeth and behave more or less like their adult counterparts. "I had a male guinea pig for about a year and a half. If you are reading this article then most likely the answer is, Yes! Guineas are not for everyone, but those who have them love their pets dearly. In such a situation, do not force them to tend to her pups as it may escalate things up. One, it could be your baby guinea pigs. After 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, your piggy should give you young ones. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Guinea pigs are adorable, sweet pets that love to express themselves by chattering, squealing, and wheeking. Every trimester of the pregnancy in humans, there are differences in the methods of taking care, right? Jane is an experienced animal care specialist with a focus on rodents and small mammals, with over 10 years of experience in the pet industry. The probe records the echoes as the sound waves bounce back in order to determine the size, shape, and consistency of internal tissues and organs. Labor was induced by giving the timed-pregnant guinea pigs oxytocin (1.0 mg/kg body weight) every 15 min for 45 min. Publisher: Pergamon. Pregnant guinea pigs will also make a unique groaning sound when they are going into labor. Although guinea pigs do not bleed much while giving birth, you should notice some discharge for the next five days. Most likely, the substance is the first stool coming from the piglet inside the womb. During the process, the sow squats on all its limbs. However, pregnancy preparation begins even before the pig is bred. The signs of pregnancy toxaemia are abrupt onset of depression (quiet, weak, lethargic) and anorexia (not eating). Assist your piggy by removing the birth sac from the babies head and body. At what age can you neuter your guinea pig? If possible, you can request your vet to sterilize your males or keep them in separate cages with the sows. How Can You Know How Far Along Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy is? If you see hunching up, the hiccup-like movement, your guinea pig is looking at her back end . She is eating a lot, drinking, and moving about the cage normally. Not knowing how to care for your furry pal when shes pregnant makes the whole thing scary, while knowing all about it makes the news heartening. But that does not mean that you should not give them access to outdoors. 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 . While male piggies (boars) can mate at three months, females should begin mating when theyre 5-6 months old. However, there are some signs you can watch for at home. Last Updated: November 26, 2022 Pregnancy is risky for female guinea pigs, particularly for those older than 8 months and younger than 3 months and sows over the age of 2 years who have already had 2 litters. I am just concerned and wondering if anyone has any experience with this? Nothing is visible to explain that the pig is pregnant. Is she pregnant? Does anyone have experience with pregnant sows that have had bleeding? Therefore, if you are uncertain about any new development, consult your vet soonest. You should absolutely, Alfalfa hay is rich in calcium and protein. At eight months of age, the pelvis of a guinea pig female (sow) starts to fuse, and if she hasnt farrowed before, delivering her pups can be more difficult. This happens not only in human pregnancy but also in the case of animals. Note that the gestation period is usually 66 - 72 days. Some guinea pigs may feel insecure being around their cage mates, especially when she perceives threat in their favorite hiding place. The pups will also benefit from eating solid food. This is something that every owner needs to avoid. A female guinea pig is pregnant for 59-72 days. The final stage of gestation can last between 2-3 weeks. But still, to be on the safer side, having boundaries to the free space she runs is advised. Most pregnant guinea pigs do not move as actively as their normal days. As a caretaker, many tasks await you during the pregnancy period to prepare yourself and the guinea pig for the new arrivals. The duration of the pregnancy depends on the litter size. You should be able to implement it. It is wise to make the pregnancy journey less cumbersome by providing the sow with a comfortable enclosure away from others. I have had her for three years and she has never been around any males but my family and I think she is pregnant because she has a pear shape and she isn't fat. What are the Similarities and Differences Beetwen Humans and Guinea Pigs in Pregnancy? There should be one for every baby. Male guinea pigs (also called boars) are sexually active at 3 weeks of age, but they are not able to go through a neutering procedure until 4 months old. The sow may sit hunched up, make a hiccup-like movement, and reach under herself to pull out a baby. Other adverse effects include a loss of appetite out of fear, which could also result in fatal effects. The babies are on their way out. Pregnancy toxemia can kill your pig and her young ones. Its ethanol extract can induce labor in pregnant guinea pigs by either intraperitoneal or intramuscular injection; . If you notice any amniotic tissue stuck to a baby's face . For instance, the mean pregnancy length for one guinea pig litter is 70 days, while a litter of six guinea pigs can take 67 days. Grooming requires a lot of handling. An uncomplicated birth process takes not more than 30 minutes. Their uterus is a "U" shape that leads to the vaginal cannel. But everything I have ready says that bleeding is not normal and go to a vet. Although, these pups can eat solid foods as early as the first day of life. Enjoy! Thus, an increased desire for food may not always indicate pregnancy. An unneutered male guinea pig! Right? You can crop their hair to maintain hygiene, even if you cannot cut it perfectly. This article has 20 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. Proper knowledge about breeding these animals is important for the survival of the mother and the pups. But compromising on the perfection of those necessities wont cause much immediate trouble when she is not pregnant. 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