Other potential complications are prolapse, retained placenta, uterine tears, etc. If you feel lumps under your fingers this is a sign the female is pregnant. Guinea pigs are adorable, sweet pets that love to express themselves by chattering, squealing, and wheeking. But taking in mind the previously mentioned signs you can suspect pregnancy if any one of them is present. The whole process should take no more than 40 minutes. Think twice before you breed your guinea pig! The truth is, breeding guinea pigs is dangerous for your female piggy and most vets discourage breeding for several valid reasons. Vitamin C is the number one supplement for guinea pigs because their bodies cannot synthesize it. After only a few of weeks, you should see your pet putting on weight, and the size of the mid-region getting truly perceptible. It makes me so happy and very worried at the same time. All cavies are social creatures that like to live in gatherings. Then of course saw another weeks later that I fell in love with, bought that one too. This mechanism works in other species of animals as well and very fortunately humans arent accustomed to it. When her pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the labor is very near. The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. Copyright 2023 - VIVO Pets. Guinea pig mother lactates for 2-3 weeks. You might notice an increase in vaginal discharge that's clear, pink or slightly bloody. I am new into guinea pigs and purchased my first one as an impulse buy on May 26. Nonetheless, if your little friend becomes pregnant, get ready to sufficiently support them throughout the process. Lighteninga feeling that the baby has dropped. Otherwise, he will be dragging the placenta around. They pace and build nests with straw or available materials. Guinea pigs usually weigh about 1.5-2 lbs. ), the guinea pig was in the contact of boar. Other, early signs labor is close (anywhere from a month to mere hours away from active labor) include: Baby drops. She does so, as well, with the placenta. Monitor a pregnant sow's behavior closely as delivery date approaches. Create your website today. After you dry it off, put it back down beside the Mom. So it is easier for them to locate solid food even if the mother is not supportive. Most likely, the substance is the first stool coming from the piglet inside the womb. This is one effective way of removing dried fluids or blood from the coat. 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. Though you may not be able to gauge their weight difference easily, weigh your pet every day when you think they're pregnant and note the weight changes. Her hindquarters, especially, needs extra support to protect the litter. 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. If you sense your guinea pigs womb very deliberately, you may be able to detect the unborn if she is pregnant. Mom's can, and are, very vigorous in cleaning up these babies! The signs of pregnancy toxaemia are abrupt onset of depression (quiet, weak, lethargic) and anorexia (not eating). During pregnancy, a thick plug of mucus blocks the cervical opening to prevent bacteria from entering the uterus. After the widening, is birthing within 12-24 hours or 24-48 hours? So we have Janice, Zelma and Possum (looks similar to an Opposum ). Getting a pet for yourself is a big responsibility in itself. A cesarian section surgery will likely be necessary.. The guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72 days . In the first few weeks of pregnancy, there wont be a huge change in her appearance. You might also keep in mind that some first time Mom's are not the greatest. A healthy guinea pig should have no problem going through labor. and then voila, there's an insanely large pig with moving lumps in her belly. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. Dont restrict her exercise just because shes pregnant; she needs it to keep her weight down and her strength up. Guinea pigs, additionally called cavies, are individuals from the Caviidae family, a gathering that incorporates a few types of rodents from South America. Before we talk about the stages of your guinea pigs pregnancy, lets make certain that your guinea pig is already pregnant. I rescued these guinea pigs that were pregnant when I got them. Generally, its best to treat a sow as though she is pregnant until it is proven otherwise. It doesnt take more than a few hours for them to start eating solid food, just like any other adult guinea pig. You must log in or register to reply here. If you notice a pup with the sac remaining over its face, break the membrane open with your finger nail. I named her Janice. Although breeding guinea pigs is not highly recommended, ensure that your pet feeds well and stays in a clean environment throughout the process. In the best-case scenario, make arrangements to have a visiting vet check her every once in a while. Just a disclaimer: Beware that you should not wildly breed guinea pigs if you dont have a proper breeding program or the appropriate financial situation as well as time to care for them. Sometimes its the uterus lacking contractions; sometimes its a pup ending up stuck in the birth canal. Some of the signs to watch out for include: 1. As in humans, this happens when pups grow and take up more space. In the event that a female guinea pig has been in the presence of a hog, at that point she will have unquestionably attempted to accomplice and has a high possibility of getting pregnant. Usually, a guinea pig's pregnancy lasts from 59-72 days. I just wanted to know what signs they have so I can know if I can get a good nights sleep or not. Chester, the dad, is a golden agouti and white Peruvian. Sometimes, they prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get to a vet. Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. Moms may continue to spot for up to 4-5 days after delivery, although 1-2 is more normal. House pregnant sows indoors if pets are normally free-range outside. Sometimes, small particles of fecal matter or meconium appear in the discharge. If she excessively bites and attacks her babies, keep her in a secluded place before reintroducing the pups back. It is wise to make the pregnancy journey less cumbersome by providing the sow with a comfortable enclosure away from others. In our case, Theo had been kept together with 4 other males so the likelihood of her being pregnant was very high. When your guinea pig is in labor, . Potential Pregnancy Problems. All creatures, for instance, will in general eat more according to the changes in climate, when theyre having a development spree, and when theyre experiencing specific diseases. Reducing her stress makes her pregnancy and childbirth easier. The gestation period for pregnant guinea pigs is 60 to 70 days. If there are male guinea pigs present at the time of birth, they will compete between themselves to mate with the mother and protect the newborn guinea pigs. It is very helpful and appreciated. Required fields are marked *. Enriching the guinea pigs diet with kale, broccoli, green peppers, and parsley is also advised. Also, she may seem like she is breathing harder with no sounds to as if she has a URI. All previously stated animals of which I have experience build nests of some sort. You have to rely on a combination of indicators. Female guinea pigs begin a new estrous cycle shortly after giving birth. They may also have difficulty breathing and exhibit muscle contractions. Additionally, there is no pregnancy test accessible for guinea pigs. But these little critters also mature early both physically and sexually. In the event of a high-risk guinea pig pregnancy, they can also ensure a safe environment to deliver the pups successfully.. no way!" Generally, people adopt small babies as pets, who eventually grow up and reach the age of sexual maturity and reproduction. Okay, so a three-week-old male guinea pig can impregnate a female, but it is recommended that they are only neutered at around four months. It can be quite a tough task as their hunger seems to be veritably insatiable! Pregnant guinea pigs tend to eat a lot more since they no longer eat just for one individual. The guinea pig's heat cycle lasts 16 days. Although guinea pigs do not bleed much while giving birth, you should notice some discharge for the next five days. As the female guinea pig gets older, the bones making up the pelvic canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing. Bloody uterine discharge and straining longer than 30 minutes requires a medical examination. Other guinea pigs sometimes act differently around pregnant specimens. Thread starter GPonnett Start date Aug 25, 2010; GPonnett Well-known Member. Labor: . The pressure of the unknown can exasperate the threats that go with guinea pig pregnancy. With the use of ultrasound, your vet can also assess potential concerns with the pregnancy. They should be kept in tranquil surroundings and fed plenty of vegetables. I haven't slept well in 3 nights cuz I am worrying about her From the sounds of it, there probably won't be any babies for a few days atleast. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. In the pregnant female, the symphysis relaxes and stretches in response to secretion of relaxin by the pituitary gland and endometrium, allowing separation of the pubic bones (Williams 2012, Brower 2006, Martinho 2006). Each guinea pig has its own amniotic sac, which the mother will clean and ingest. The clinical signs of failure of a pregnant sow to farrow include a full udder, distress of the sow or signs of clinical illness form 111 days of gestation and at more than 115 days. She also needs extra vitamin C; you can give at least 10mg orally. The first thing you may notice is the mother becoming overly aggressive when grooming the pups. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. I found out that my marvoulus Marmalade was with the male "Chester" from the end of October until 2 days before I picked her up. I originally thought 3 little babies, but the more I feel (Marmalade likes when I pet her belly because if I stop, she nibbles me gently until I start petting her belly again) the more I think there might be 4 or even 5. Weight Gain. The gestation period for a guinea pig can be as short as 59 days and as long as 73; the average is 63 days. If labor takes much longer than 20 minutes, she may require emergency medical attention. Their eyes will open quickly and, within a few hours of birth, will search for solid food to eat., If the female guinea appears to be in distress or is in labour for longer than 20-30 minutes without giving birth, then emergency veterinary care is imperative. The pups will be fully furred and have their eyes open. Belly and lower back pain. Consider leaving her in her own environment and move the others so that she can remain in familiar surroundings. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. 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. Duration of guinea pig pregnancy depends on the number of pups: the larger the litter the shorter the pregnancy. At this stage, the sow will appear quite swollen in the midsection. These kinds of guinea pigs are the most popular in America and are the breeds most commonly sold in shops. As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. Generally, this happens after the last little one makes its way out. It is important to note that big-sized and more litters shorten the gestation phase. Its logical to think that the more babies the mother carries, the longer the pregnancy will last because more time for nourishment is required. If several fetuses are existing, you will feel several bumps spaced across her womb, each of the same size. website builder. Male guinea pigs are very territorial so when they mate they spray the female with their urine. Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. The next number will be the earliest your guinea pig will potentially go into labor. She can be on alfalfa-based pellets though (or another form of additional calcium). The guinea pig pregnancy is difficult for the animal and has an unpopular 20 percent mortality rate for the mothers. The estrous cycle takes 21 days. In some cases, pregnant guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a day. Early signs of labor can start days or even weeks before the big event. This behavior serves as an attempt not only to soon breed with the female, but also to guard her from danger. 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. If you witness any of the signs listed below, get the sow to a cavy knowledgeable vet immediately. However, they are more prone to health problems in the latter stages of pregnancy. Water breaking. Once the pups come out, the mother licks and devours the fetal substances plus the placenta. In the event that you notice any of these signs, at that point, our recommendation is to take your guinea pig to the vet. During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. 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. Well with guinea pigs its the opposite. On the other hand, keeping a pregnant sow with boars poses a greater danger. 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. Has the shivering and leg movement ceased? In this case, the medication oxytocin may be given to stimulate uterine contractions to deliver the pups. Right now, it is imperative to ensure the pregnant guinea is in a stress-free environment. 5. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. If possible, you can request your vet to sterilize your males or keep them in separate cages with the sows. The estrous cycle is somewhat typical in means of behavioral changes of the female guinea pig. Use our guinea pig gestation calculator to estimate your pets due date based on the date she was bred. There are three stages of the farrowing process; pre-farrowing, farrowing, and after-birth expulsion. Is your female guinea pig getting more chubby lately, leaving you wondering if youll soon have a bunch of fluff balls running around? For a smooth delivery, the first procreation should happen between three and seven months of age. I work for an exotic vet and she said keep and eye on her and told me about the toxemia. 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