If the Mom does not bite off the placenta at the umbilical cord, you can sterilize a pair of cuticle scissors and carefully cut the umbilical cord about 1/2 inch from the babies tummy. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. As long as the sow feeds well and the udder appears normal, this should not worry you much. Does she appear calm or grunts and call out to her piglets? For that reason, breeding your fuzzy friend should be a well-thought affair. This data is then converted into a picture. Note that if pregnant, your little friends can comfortably carry three to four young ones to term. All in all, if you notice extreme weight gain on your female pets, feel the tummy gently to detect any pregnancy signs. Normal labor should be short and sweet. This is how I could tell.https://youtu.be/dj6tfzZu1cYemail: guinafilms1@gmail.comFaceb. Guinea Pig Gestation Period: How Long Is Guinea Pig Pregnancy? Cramps and increased back pain. During the process, the sow squats on all its limbs. When its utterly necessary make sure she has the support of her hips. Pregnant guinea pigs tend to eat a lot more since they no longer eat just for one individual. Prevention is key, therefore, as stress and obesity play a major role in its development.. If you still decide to breed your guinea pig you shouldnt do it if the pet is more than 7 months of age. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. By the time she reaches the seventh week of pregnancy, the babies will make up about half of her total body weight. 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. The estrous cycle takes 21 days. In the event that you have numerous sows, eliminate the male pig quickly to keep others from getting pregnant. Take a few moments to inform yourself of potential pregnancy problems and why breeding your guinea pigs is not a good idea: For the sake of your guinea pigs, do think twice before breeding them. Lastly, it takes about 2-4 weeks to wean guinea pups. Are you still deciding whether to breed your female cavy? If the female approves of the male, she will signal her acceptance to mate with loud squeaks. 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. 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. One of my guinea pigs is pregnant! Sometimes she may wait to attend the young ones until all babies are delivered. Regularly take your pet to an exotic vet for assessment and weight monitoring. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? Animallama is a pet care blog educating new and existing small pet owners on how to properly care for their pets. 5. Bumps can also refer to ovarian cysts or tumors. 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 . If several fetuses are present, you will feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a similar size. 4. Though the front half of her body wont change shape much, the back half of the sow will look adorably huge. Polar fleece is perfect. At the end of the middle stage, the movement of the babies will become visible under the skin. Sometimes, the babies come so fast that the Mom has no time to tend to each baby. Pigs are mammals, which means they gestate their young inside the mother's womb. Watch your sow for signs of illness during pregnancy. Avoid over-feeding The gestation period for a guinea pig can be as short as 59 days and as long as 73; the average is 63 days. The pups are born with open eyes and covered in fur. This process can take up to 2-3 hours. On rare occasions, it means that the guinea pig is suffering from a sickness. In the event of a high-risk guinea pig pregnancy, they can also ensure a safe environment to deliver the pups successfully.. Hello,Normal guinea pig labor is short with few signs that it is going on. Other, early signs labor is close (anywhere from a month to mere hours away from active labor) include: Baby drops. Changes in the Estrous Cycle. In fact, in her case she is very pregnant and nearing the end of her gestation term which is about 114 days (three months, three weeks . WE SMILE During the entire pregnancy process, sows require a rich supply of Vitamin C. It is recommended that pet owners should double the quantity up to 20 mg per day. The whole process should take no more than 40 minutes. Hence, when housed together, a guinea pig pregnancy can occur very early and very often.. The age of the sow plays a huge row in making the decision. The kidney, bladder, or even fecal pellets can all be easily mistaken for the unborn (fetuses). Every pregnancy varies from individual to individual but theres definitely a silver lining, just as with any other space. Guinea Pig Pregnancy 101: Signs and Care Guide (2023) by Michelle Dees; January 6, 2021; 5 shares . As soon as you suspect a successful mating, supplement the females usual. The early stage consists of the first few days after mating. I rescued these guinea pigs that were pregnant when I got them. How can you tell if the sow has become pregnant? . It may not display this or other websites correctly. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. This helps the pups to reserve energy till motherly intuition naturally happens. 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. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. If you witness any of the signs listed below, get the sow to a cavy knowledgeable vet immediately. Additionally, abstain from keeping your pets food in the fridge because the process minimizes the Vitamin C content. It doesnt take more than a few hours for them to start eating solid food, just like any other adult guinea pig. You probably wont see numerous physical and social indications of pregnancy in guinea pigs from the start. If you are present, you can help her out by removing some of the placentas and some of the soiled bedding. I would only give one 1 inch cube of fruit per week. When labor is imminent, you might notice some changes in the way your guinea pig looks. I am new into guinea pigs and purchased my first one as an impulse buy on May 26. Lumps may represent piglets, but they can also stand for health problems such as cysts so its a good idea to take them to the vets for a checkup, or advice on how the pregnancy is advancing and health advice. Be especially careful around the newborns eyes, as they are normally wide open, and you can scratch the cornea. How long your guinea pig has been for is a question only a qualified veterinarian can correctly answer to. 12 minute read; 5. At the end of the process, the placenta emerges and the mother eats it as well. During the last pregnancy stages, pregnant piggies tend to overeat. Chester, the dad, is a golden agouti and white Peruvian. Think about whether your guinea pig was in the contact of a boar. If the male or other guinea pigs seem to get on her nerves, move them into another cage. If he persists, shell dampen his enthusiasm by urinating on him! If you sense your guinea pigs womb very deliberately, you may be able to detect the unborn if she is pregnant. Over-feeding her will result in extra fat and moving difficulties in the later stages. (And Other Key Terms), How Often Should You Clean a Guinea Pigs Cage? Moms may continue to spot for up to 4-5 days after delivery, although 1-2 is more normal. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Bloody show. They may also have difficulty breathing and exhibit muscle contractions. Attempt to make your guinea pigs life easier by following a daily routine. Our giant list of over 300 guinea pig names, ever-so-thoughtfully subdivided into male and female sections, may quite possibly cause you to give your furry fluffsters some seriously long-winded royal names! Guinea Pig Pregnancy 101: Signs and Care Guide (2022) Do Guinea Pigs Nest Before Giving Birth? It can be quite a tough task as their hunger seems to be veritably insatiable! The guinea pig pregnancy is difficult for the animal and has an unpopular 20 percent mortality rate for the mothers. That is normal. Sometimes, they prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get to a vet. Most guinea pigs give birth in the daytime hours. 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. Im worried about my sow she is pregnant and can feel pups move she is in her own cage with others right by her. During the first month or so, there arent a lot of physical signs to indicate your sow is a mom-to-be. Do not keep pregnant guinea pigs in multi-level cages/hutches as their balance will be impaired by pregnancy, and in the later stages of pregnancy they may not be able to get up to the higher tiers. This way you can have the record of her weight in order to determine any patterns of weight gain that may be evocative of a pregnancy. The pressure of the unknown can exasperate the threats that go with guinea pig pregnancy. Utilize your dominant hand to feel her belly. Normally, the pregnancy period lasts between 63 and 70 days. If any of them seem to bother her or tease her, they will need to be put in a separate cage. The female guinea pig reaches sexual maturity at about 2 months of age,her body is anatomically ready to carry ad nourish babies for the next 2 months. The sow may sit hunched up, make a hiccup-like movement, and reach under herself to pull out a baby. Plus, brothers must be separated so they dont fight with one another. Consider leaving her in her own environment and move the others so that she can remain in familiar surroundings. Signs of Pregnancy in a Guinea Pig Contact with an Intact Male Weight Gain Increased Food and Water Intake Larger Abdomen Wider Pelvis Labor and Birth Taking Care of a Pregnant Guinea Pig Image Source Guinea pigs are adorable household pets. How do you know if your cavy is actually carrying pups? The true respect they deserve. A female cavy uses a lot of her energy during this time, and thus requires a healthy, balanced diet that is appropriate for her during gestation.. If you touch her underbelly a couple of centimeters ahead of the anus, you will be able to feel that the pelvic bones have spread apart. Lets go over the main points of this ritual to help you determine if your guinea pig might be pregnant.. Wondering if you are able to commit to being a responsible pet parent to these adorable little rodents? A female can give . Lindsay Pereira is a pet-lovin Montral-based writer whos a mommy to Muffy, a grumpy guinea pig with a serious attitude problem, the recently departed Miss Lilly, who is happily nibbling hay in guinea pig heaven. It is possible to make out fetuses 12 weeks after conception. They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. And remember, even a neutered male can get a female pregnant. My 14 month old sow, Marmalade, is definenantly pregnant. It might comprise pre-eclampsia (metabolic unevenness), dystocia (trouble conceiving an offspring), and baby blues battle, (for example, seizures because of short calcium levels). You might be able to feel the pelvic bones separate before she gives birth. Attempt to find a vet who has considerable experience in dealing with rodents and other little creatures, instead of simply a nonexclusive vet. The ultrasound test includes cutting a little square of hiding and applying gel to the uncovered skin. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. But to anyone who has thought of breeding.DON'T!!! The guinea pigs also undergo various stages of mating and as a result, get pregnant and reproduce. That way, you get assured of a thriving litter and healthy mother. Once the pups come out, the mother licks and devours the fetal substances plus the placenta. So we have Janice, Zelma and Possum (looks similar to an Opposum ). Sectioned sows may develop agalactia and both sow and . You can sense the distance between the bones by gently positioning your finger on the belly just a few centimeters from the anus. I have even felt them grinding their teeth. The canal is fully fused by the 7-8thmonth of age both in unbred female and male guinea pigs. The largest noted litter numbered 14 guinea pigs. Monitor a pregnant sow's behavior closely as delivery date approaches. Male guinea pigs will keep on mounting pregnant sows, which can put pressure or torment your pregnant sow late in the pregnancy (after the 50-day mark). Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. Pregnant Guinea Pig Signs, Behavior & Care. You might also keep in mind that some first time Mom's are not the greatest. Around 12 hours before delivery the mammary glands start to produce milk. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. She eats those to keep predators from discovering the babies. Water breaking. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to . The male on, the other hand, will put on his manly display but will still approach the saw with a lowered head. I have had sows that have run to the opposite end of the cage, like they are terrified! Do let us know when the babies are born. no way!" I just wanted to know what signs they have so I can know if I can get a good nights sleep or not. Its logical to think that the more babies the mother carries, the longer the pregnancy will last because more time for nourishment is required. Her instincts are to remove any smell that will lead predators to her babies. So you should be able to get some needed rest. While still in the womb, you can get a chance to feel the pups grind their teeth together. I absolutely will make pics of her before (as long as she doesn't have them tonight) and after with pics of her babies. Weight Gain. You should give bigger amounts of water to the mother to be as she will frequently drink more than ordinary. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. Guinea pig pregnancy week-by-week may sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy parent. There are no surefire signs and no signs during the first half of the pregnancy. Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, and usually the mother removes it and eats it. Strong, frequent contractions. Apart from injuring your sow, they may attempt to mate or impregnate her soon after birth. Yet, they may emit a similar sound after the baby comes out. With a contraction, she will reach under her like she is getting a poop to eat, and pull the baby out. Most pups emerge heads first, although a few make the grand entry from behind. 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