The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. Nonetheless, here are a few subtle signs to look out for that point to a successful pregnancy: Weight gain after 2+ weeks Increase in food and water intake Mood changes due to rise in hormone level Increase in fatigue, resulting in more sleeping and/or change in sleeping pattern Noticeable enlargement of nipples As a guinea pig lover myself, I created a list of cute and funny gifts for guinea pig lovers that will surely be appreciated by the receiving party. So it is easier for them to locate solid food even if the mother is not supportive. You will need to see a vet if this is the case. Weight Gain. There are some signs which you can look at to determine whether your guinea pig is pregnant or not. Weight gain may be subtle in the first hundred days, but keep an eye for any signs that your pig is growing. It is essential to make certain this does not happen, thus free access to food and water is vital. When there is a dominant male, theres a likelihood that the other males wont try to interact with the mother. She will give out a cry just as she goes into labor, and it will take about five minutes to birth a pup. In fact, you may even wonder if your cavy is actually pregnant. A cesarian section surgery will likely be necessary.. Bumps can also refer to ovarian cysts or tumors. For pet proprietors, gaining an understanding and knowledge of this part of their pets life is also important. The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. She eats those to keep predators from discovering the babies. I would only give one 1 inch cube of fruit per week. Your pregnant sow will require more Vitamin C, about twice so much, so fuse all the more new foods grown from the ground high in nutrient C into her eating routine. All previously stated animals of which I have experience build nests of some sort. 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. Dilationwidening the opening of the cervix. Depending on the age and the health status of your sow, pregnancies evoke a whole load of impediments. A guinea pigs pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. On the other hand, keeping a pregnant sow with boars poses a greater danger. Think twice before you breed your guinea pig! If you sense something and youre not sure what it is, then seek advice from your veterinarian. How soon can guinea pig become pregnant after giving birth? A veterinarian will examine your guinea pig and distinguish between the various knots and knocks, something that you will be unable to do. 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. Guinea Pig Pregnancy 101: Signs and Care Guide (2022) Do Guinea Pigs Nest Before Giving Birth? Plus, brothers must be separated so they dont fight with one another. 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. Duration of guinea pig pregnancy depends on the number of pups: the larger the litter the shorter the pregnancy. 0. After you dry it off, put it back down beside the Mom. As a species, they also increase their food intake in the winter. Last Updated on January 25, 2023November 5, 2020 by Danielle. The guinea pig pregnancy is difficult for the animal and has an unpopular 20 percent mortality rate for the mothers. 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. You most likely won't even see it happen. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. All in all, if you notice extreme weight gain on your female pets, feel the tummy gently to detect any pregnancy signs. The sow will sit very squarely, and make a "hiccupping" type of motion. A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. This thing will assist you with moving towards the additional examination. But do you really understand what it takes to care for these fluffy friends? If youre going to breed your sow, be certain she is young enough, because when they are older than around six months their hip bones grow too closely together to permit easy birthing. 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. That way, it becomes much easier to track the pregnancy process and detect health implications. At the end of the process, the placenta emerges and the mother eats it as well. Before going into labor some guinea pigs produce grunt sounds. This could expand her pressure and influence her eating and drinking habits. ?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 ..? It takes two or three weeks to wean pups, and remember that the baby males must be separated by the time they are at most three weeks old. Any apparent change of behavior in means of lethargy, anorexia, or depression can be a sign of sickness. That is normal. Jane is an advocate for animal welfare and supports organizations dedicated to protecting wildlife. To feel for the unborn, place the pig on a towel on a firm surface. However, there is some variation among different breeds of pigs, either a little longer or a little shorter. Guinea pigs need extra vitamin C during pregnancy, so you may see her favoring the products of the soil having the vitamin C in high quantity over those lacking it. Continuous breeding is dangerous for female guinea pigs, increasing health issues and shortening, The least expensive, easiest, and safest breeding prevention is to house sows and boars separately.. Guinea pigs tend to express every little change in their body. When pregnant the pelvic area relaxes due to the hormonal changes. Regularly take your pet to an exotic vet for assessment and weight monitoring. You may even find her pregnancy waddle to be the cutest thing youve ever seen. Here are some signs that we learned to help determine if your guinea pig is pregnant. Is your sow pregnant? oh, and I do wonder what the piglets will end up looking like maybe you'll get a pleasant mix of long/short hair? Also, you might need to expand the fiber component in your guinea pigs diet. Is It Safe to Breed Cavies? Cavies of both sexes, when mixed together and unsterilized, will most assuredly result in guinea pig pregnancy. 2. 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 need to find out whether she is with babies earlier to provide the appropriate level of care for each stage of the pregnancy. And post pictures of the babies. WE SMILE When a gilt (unbred or first-time mother) or a sow is in heat, she will often show a swollen and red vulva, and/or discharge. Guinea pigs NEVER become too old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!! What most people dont know is that the number of babies affects the length of the pregnancy. When a guinea pig is pregnant the pelvic canal stretches as a result of hormonal secretion. Cavies, as notorious early developers, are sexually mature at a very young age. Her instincts are to remove any smell that will lead predators to her babies. Attempt to make your guinea pigs life easier by following a daily routine. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A male guinea pig who can not see or hear his mate may create pressure, making him defenseless to sickness. Sometimes, they prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get to a vet. Bloody uterine discharge and straining longer than 30 minutes requires a medical examination. When labor pain strikes, your little friend may become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, there wont be a huge change in her appearance. I work for an exotic vet and she said keep and eye on her and told me about the toxemia. The best clue might be when they stop the mating ritualnatures call has been answered, and they both quiet down. Bloody show. This data is then converted into a picture. How To Know when a pig is going into labor. Thank you for your information. Shares. Although the guinea pig gestation period varies, the guinea pig gestation period typically lasts between 59-72 days. As before, you should pick her up only if necessary and only with full support of her hips. Degu Health Problems Common Diseases and Treatments. Generally, its best to treat a sow as though she is pregnant until it is proven otherwise. Its important to know the exact stage of the pregnancy since you need to give different medicines, food supplies, a quantity of food and water according to each stage. Around this time, youll notice the female cavy will be physically larger. Moms may continue to spot for up to 4-5 days after delivery, although 1-2 is more normal. Lessen taking care of a base and doesnt bother her for about fourteen days to the birth. Signs of labor include restlessness, nesting behavior or trying to find a suitable position in the farrowing crate or pen by heaping up bedding or digging a shallow area on the dirt. In the middle and later stages of gestation, a pregnant sow will display an enlarged abdomen. Signs of pregnancy A pregnancy takes on average 10 weeks (58-73 days). The majority of guinea pigs give birth during daylight. I have no idea when she was bred. As soon as you suspect a successful mating, supplement the females usual. Negligence and ignorance can prove to be fatal for the mother and the babies. Although some pregnant guinea pigs become excessively lazy during the last few days, others behave normally to the last day. I always try to give her a small piece of fruit so that she has the extra energy to litter (not sure if this is the word for g-pigs, but it is the term for most rodents) if she needs to. The length of the estrous cycle is 16 days. Can Baby Mice Survive Without Their Mother? Apart from injuring your sow, they may attempt to mate or impregnate her soon after birth. If there are large quantities of blood, or gooey bloody stuff after 2-3 days, or the sow is not acting normally, she might have retained a placenta or a baby. Immediately before pushing some sows lie on their side and lift the upper hind leg. Thus she is pregnant. Do it every day at the same time routinely. That's when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. In reality, close to 20% of expectant sows die while giving birth. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. During all of the stage and especially during the last stage of pregnancy the sow should remain in a calm environment. In the presence of a male, the female changes her back (spine) which she arches downwards. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. As the female guinea pig gets older, the bones making up the pelvic canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing. 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). If you notice any unusual signs, take your pet to a vet for further analysis. If you gently touch the animals belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. Cavy Slave. What are some more signs that she is going to go into labor??? 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