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). The pups will freely move around on their own soon after birth. Register for free to enjoy the full benefits. I'm so excited, she getting so big. This implies that it must obtain the essential vitamins and minerals for the correct development of the offspring. After some bleeding last night, I stayed up with her and she had no signs of contractions or labor. Several factors may influence a guinea pigs litter size, including genetics, boar fertility, gilt management, etc. (Plus Tips to Keep Warm), Fat Guinea Pig (Causes & Dangers of Health), Guinea Pig Constipation (Everything You Need to Know). Remember that a cold climate triggers a guinea pigs appetite. If your piggies appear underweight with seemingly no explanation, its important to take action immediately. Pregnant guinea pigs may also be at risk of mastitis, uterine prolapse, and hypocalcemia. Nothing is visible to explain that the pig is pregnant. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. I really enjoyed that it was stressed that the babies don't need to be with dad at, "I love guinea pigs, and when I get one, and then another one, they will probably mate. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. There are a few ways you can tell if they are expecting. For obvious reasons, your guinea pig needs extra nutrition when she is pregnant. All rights reserved. If you think you dont have the resources or knowledge to deal with a guinea pigs pregnancy, we recommend that you dont put your animal through this process. By using our site, you agree to our. By choice and sometimes by accident, a pregnant guinea pig comes under our care. A few weeks later I noticed she was getting bigger, I was curious to see if she was pregnant. Then, the ultrasound probe is placed on skin and emits a high-frequency sound that is inaudible to human ears. Outdoor time, again, with your availability to monitor. Sometimes, small particles of fecal matter or meconium appear in the discharge. This way you can keep track of her weight in order to determine any patterns of weight gain that may be indicative of a pregnancy. Most inexperienced Guinea pig "breeders" do not understand this concept. 4. It is not recommended to breed guinea pigs. It causes the pregnant cavy to have low calcium levels and high blood pressure. Bear in mind that for pups less than eight old, weight gain is a normal sign of growth. Some people wonder if sows can get pregnant without mating. Should complications arise, it is extremely important that you have a veterinarian lined up for emergency care before the actual delivery. Manage Settings To Avoid Stress, You Need to Take Several Measures Obviously. The period of time between getting pregnant and the birth is called the gestation period. Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. The condition is likely to cause stillbirths and abortions. A bigger appetite is one sign a female guinea pig is pregnant. Good care keeps your pet happy and increases its lifespan. In reality, close to 20% of expectant sows die while giving birth. This will keep your guinea pig from slipping. Guinea pig's pregnancy only lasts between 59-72 days. Again, lets go step-by-step with this too. So having their cagemates with them could be a good choice. To tell if your guinea pig is pregnant, start by observing her eating habits to gauge whether she's eating and drinking more than usual. you can check this by having her on a table facing you. After about two or three weeks of pregnancy, the baby guinea pigs can be physically felt. Some guinea pigs are more prolific and can typically give a litter of more than ten piglets. After the whole birth process, make sure to clean your pets cage. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. 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. While their lactation is essential for some nutrients that cannot be provided in the babies diet, baby guinea pigs are noticed to be able to survive even without their mothers milk. Unlike squirrels whose babies are born blind and naked, guinea pigs have precocial young. But consult with your vet first, just to be on the safer side. Most terribly, you may lose both the sow and her babies. The release of the placenta is the third and final farrowing stage. In some cases, pregnant guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a day. But it contains more than necessary amounts for a regular guinea pig. One of the most important things to be aware of when a guinea pig is pregnant is that it can go into labor at any time. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. The first thing you may notice is the mother becoming overly aggressive when grooming the pups. Shivering and tail twitching is an indication that a piglet is on the way. I have had sows that have run to the opposite end of the cage, like they are terrified! If you witness any of the signs listed below, get the sow to a cavy knowledgeable vet immediately. My fingers are crossed everything goes well for all! JavaScript is disabled. Note that pregnancy signs in guinea pigs arent always obvious. If she is fluffed up, or has any signs of illness, get her to a vet immediately. Then the male started trying to jump over the female. But it is quite the opposite. Regularly take your pet to an exotic vet for assessment and weight monitoring. She still has at least 2 living babies. I have seen all four pups nursing, and beginning to popcorn and play. Swollen Teats and Belly This is an obvious sign of pregnancy but is unfortunately not usually apparent until around three months of gestation. This is an emergency situation requiring an immediate c-section. I am monitoring her closely and the vet is on standby tomorrow and Sat AM. To minimize pregnancy risks, prevent it from the beginning, true to the saying, prevention is better than cure. Above all, the least expensive way to avoid breeding is housing your male and female guinea pig separately. If you are a woman reading this I bet that you are thinking thank god there aint anything like that in humans!. Some guinea pigs have swirls of long hair while others have a coat of soft, short hair. Being able to feel the babies. Approximately every five minutes, a new pup will be born. However, it could take 30 minutes or so. Like with eating more, you cannot assume that weight gain means your guinea pig is pregnant. The duration of a normal birthing process is 30 minutes. ", care of my guinea pig and I am so sure that she is healthy and will have my little baby friends soon! Normally, the pregnancy period lasts between 63 and 70 days. An ultrasound scan can visualize exactly what the bumps are and confirm a pregnancy. But everything I have ready says that bleeding is not normal and go to a vet. Provide fresh water ad libitum. What are the Similarities and Differences Beetwen Humans and Guinea Pigs in Pregnancy? Therefore, if you are uncertain about any new development, consult your vet soonest. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). But to anyone who has thought of breeding.DON'T!!! Usually, their pregnancy is non-problematic. The fetuses were delivered vaginally or surgically after a maximum of 45 min of oxytocin treatment. Guinea pig's pregnancy lasts very long if you compare it with other rodents. So follow a routine. The guinea pig pregnancy duration is long - approximately 59- 72 days (the average is 65 days) - the duration decreases with litter size (i.e. . In most cases, a sow will handle her labor, deliver the babies, clean them off, and bite off the umbilical cord. Just because they can get pregnant again, doesnt mean that it wont have adverse effects on their well being, not just physically but also emotionally. You can also touch her abdomen gently to feel for piglets in the womb. Symptoms and Types Bleeding from the uterus/vagina Discomfort/pain Extended straining during labor without actually delivering the fetus Part of the fetus may be seen at the vaginal canal, but the labor does not progress Expected due date comes and goes Causes However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. Once the pups come out, the mother licks and devours the fetal substances plus the placenta. One, it could be your baby guinea pigs. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. You vet may also be able to hear the piglets' heartbeats in the sow's abdomen. If you do not see the birth as it happens, you will most likely not see the placentas, as the Mom will eat the afterbirths and all the bloody wet shavings. Labor was induced by giving the timed-pregnant guinea pigs oxytocin (1.0 mg/kg body weight) every 15 min for 45 min. If pregnant, your guinea pig may have a single piglet or up to 3-4. Try and make sure that the afterbirths have been delivered. If your piggy is pregnant, you should give the best level of care. H3N2 and H1N2 to reduce clinical signs and viral lung load after infection. The whole birthing process in guinea pigs should take around 30 minutes. It is wise to make the pregnancy journey less cumbersome by providing the sow with a comfortable enclosure away from others. Babies are so cute! Also called as parturition in scientific terms, the birth, of course, is the part where the litter is delivered. This is because piglets typically add up to almost the same size as the mother. But that isnt the case in guinea pigs. Some owners are uncertain about their guinea pig being pregnant until they see a vet. 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The whole process should take no more than 40 minutes. Most pups emerge heads first, although a few make the grand entry from behind. The mother will wash down the pups and chew off their umbilical cord. Distinguishing between pregnancy and obesity can be tricky with guinea pigs. In guinea pigs, you may be able to feel the tiny pups forming inside the sow. Its also another way of controlling breeding. In addition, you may want to increase your guinea pig's fiber intake. Pre-farrowing happens 10 to 14 days before the delivery day. Being wrong about the pregnancy couldnt hurt more than the consequences of neglecting it!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-1','ezslot_15',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-1-0'); There are actual people that I know who neglected the weight gain in their guinea pigs. So I am morally obligated to answer it. What if it gets really, really cold outside when you are sleeping, and the temperature drops below freezing would your guinea pigs be okay? However, do not assume that your guinea pig is pregnant based on just how much she is eating or drinking. That's when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. Your email address will not be published. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. After just a couple of weeks, you should notice your pet gaining weight, and the size of the abdomen becoming very noticeable. Guinea pigs have a much shorter timeline of pregnancy than humans. She died along with the litter. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Sows can come into heat 15 hours after delivering their pups; a condition called postpartum estrus. Lets see! But what, Read More Can Guinea Pigs Freeze to Death? Since they no longer eat just for them, but also for the baby piggies inside, they eat more than the usual amount. Pregnancy toxemia can kill your pig and her young ones. If you gently palpate the stomach side, you should feel lumps under your fingers. How to Train Your Guinea Pig (Tricks & Behavior), What to do When One of Your Guinea Pig Dies? 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. Your sow can be pregnant, and you dont notice it, or you realize some change of behaviors, e.g., distancing itself and reluctance to move, when shes close to giving birth. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Make sure you monitor your guinea pigs weight every week. In most cases, a guinea pigs mothers instincts do not kick in immediately. Weight gain: Guinea pigs will often gain weight during pregnancy. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Sooner when the motherly impulse slowly sinks in, they may take up their maternal role. Things to RememberAbout Guinea Pig Pregnancy and Breeding, Terms and Conditions for Pocket pet central, Keeping them in the rooms of your home where loud noises cant be heard, Guinea pigs tend to get stressed when they do not have a pattern in their food, drinking, and outdoor timings. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. No specific sign . Begin by making a "C" shape with your thumb and first finger, and then sliding the thumb over the top of her tummy and the forefinger underneath her belly. Some of you might think of this question as absurd. From early on, though, your guinea pig will eat and drink more than usual. One of the problems that the guinea pig faces in its daily life is a deficit of vitamin C. Its body isnt capable of synthesizing it correctly, so it needs an abundant amount of food rich in vitamin C. We must also take into account that a pregnant guinea pig needs triple the amount of vitamin C in its body in order to carry its pregnancy to term. And I am reading everything I can about labor and delivery again, to prepare. Yet, they may emit a similar sound after the baby comes out. Remember that the young pups have wide-opened eyes from birth. Oxbow Animal Health Organic Bounty Adult Guinea Pig Food All Natural Adult Guinea Pig Food. The pups will also benefit from eating solid food. The larger the litter, the shorter the pregnancy. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. Males born in the same litter are brothers, right? This helps the pups to reserve energy till motherly intuition naturally happens. Ensure the pig has access to high calcium greens, e.g., spinach, Lambs Lettuce, dandelion greens, etc., and plenty of fresh water. Increased fiber intake can prevent hair thinning, which is common in the last stage of pregnancy. She is eating, drinking, in no signs of distress and sohoping that nature will take a safe and healthy course in the next couple of days. Note that the guinea pig gestation period decreases with litter size. Alfalfa hay has higher nutritional elements and is helpful for pregnant and nursing guinea pigs. Remember that guinea pig litters may count . Give extra veggies and treats to help the mother regain her energy. Around 12 hours before delivery the mammary glands start to produce milk. signs of labor. Pocketpetcentral.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Support wikiHow by Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. However, there are some signs you can watch for at home. Early breeding of female guinea pigs tends to reduce their lifespan. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'pocketpetcentral_com-sky-4','ezslot_23',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-sky-4-0');For how long is a guinea pig pregnant? Pregnancy toxemia or ketosis is a life-threatening condition common with pregnant guinea pigs, especially within a few days of giving birth. So, the first step in knowing if your guinea pig is pregnant? Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. You are using an out of date browser. Try to find a vet who specializes in rodents and other small animals, rather than just a generic vet. As early as six weeks of age. So, if your sow gives you two, three, or four pups, its still a good sign, and the pig is okay. When the pig is close to delivering, the pelvis bones will contract and spread apart. Caring for a pregnant guinea pig can be tiresome but knowing that youre anticipating new offspring soon keeps us motivated. We will show you how to recognize the signs of the moment when guinea pig labor starts. Safety from injury should take precedence over hygiene. Her articles provide practical guidance on choosing the right pet and managing common health issues. Another weird yet interesting way to find out pregnancy in guinea pigs is their smell! Bella is active, eating, and drinking. The gestation period for pregnant guinea pigs is 60 to 70 days. We want to provide you with all the information for your furry little pals! As a result, they may bite, attack or pull her fur resulting in other complications. Now that you have a pregnant guinea pig lets deep-dive into the four best steps to care for the cavy. She will suddenly start eating and drinking more water than usual. However, most guinea pigs tend to bear an average litter size of three. You can see how one. % of people told us that this article helped them. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. If there is a sensitive stage that requires extra care and caution, it is during pregnancy in guinea pigs. Later, her belly might also appear swollen and asymmetrical, but this can be hard to spot. You need to understand that your guinea pig cannot bear the pain of her pregnancy when she gets handled by you. The most important thing for the mother is to feed herself in a balanced way. Beautiful mama, glad all went well with both sows! Even though the birthing can be handled by yourself, it is better to leave it to licensed veterinarians to avoid last minute complications. Proper knowledge about breeding these animals is important for the survival of the mother and the pups. I didnt know whether to hit him in the face for the negligence or to feel sorry for his loss. Youve may have decided to adopt a litter of guinea pigs, and want to know how to take care of the mother the best you can. "I had a male guinea pig for about a year and a half. Although some pregnant guinea pigs become excessively lazy during the last few days, others behave normally to the last day. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. Female chinchillas have an estrus cycle of about 28 days, but they are only able to become . So it is easier for them to locate solid food even if the mother is not supportive. Typically, guinea pig birth is an easy process if there are no pregnancy complications. She has has a very small amount of blood, and she will not come out of the kitchen area. unlocking this expert answer. More extra care is necessary during this time. Gently press inwards and see if you feel any lumps or bumps inside her tummy. She may have doubled her weight when about to give birth. The new Mom will not act sick. Changes in the Estrous Cycle The estrous cycle takes 21 days. Exposure to a Male. That gives you enough time to attempt breeding after a few weeks when the pig goes into heat. Before going into labor some guinea pigs produce grunt sounds. But doctors these days make the surgery sound like the only choice so that they could fill their pockets. Does anyone have experience with pregnant sows that have had bleeding? If you show negligence in ensuring that your guinea pig could handle the pregnancy, you are not only putting the mothers life at risk, but also that of the babies in the litter. Publisher: Pergamon, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/aid666376-v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"