You should observe the behavior of the other guinea pigs as well. Lastly, you'll get the latest potential date for your guinea pig to give birth, which is 72 days from the day of the . Others due to the strain and fatigue require more time to get accustomed. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. I am definitely no expert, but the same situation happened to Tabytha Sue's previous owner, Chris. This may result in the delivery of live pigs, the correction of torsion or the piglets may be dead. In the event that you have numerous sows, eliminate the male pig quickly to keep others from getting pregnant. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. She can be on alfalfa-based pellets though (or another form of additional calcium). As a species, they also increase their food intake in the winter. Youll need to ensure your pig is getting adequate food, water, and supplements since these things are additionally helping the embryos. However, even without the mothers milk baby guinea pigs can survive feeding only on solid food. At this time you will be even able to distinguish the body parts of the moving babies by gently touching the belly. 0. . All previously stated animals of which I have experience build nests of some sort. Monitor a pregnant sow's behavior closely as delivery date approaches. Or possibly when. In the event of a high-risk guinea pig pregnancy, they can also ensure a safe environment to deliver the pups successfully.. The whole process from first contraction to last baby can be as short as 15 minutes, and up to 40 minutes depending on how many babies she has. The most obvious sign of heat, however, is her interest in boars. Fruit is high in sugar and can contribute to diabetes. 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! Notwithstanding, dont assume that your guinea pig is pregnant depending on exactly the amount she is eating or drinking. 5. Contractions that range from mild (during early labor) to strong (during active labor) Effacementthinning of the cervix. Mostly, it starts with vulva swelling and teat enlargement. It is worth noting that female guinea pigs can get pregnant at four weeks old. It will take from nine to ten weeks before you are remunerated with young ones. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. Otherwise, he will be dragging the placenta around. She may likewise drink more water than normal. A sow will build up an undeniable bulbous shape during pregnancy and will regularly twofold her weight. Two per week at the most, but one per day is too much. Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. How soon can guinea pig become pregnant after giving birth? . The afterbirth will be a round flat bloody object ranging in size from a nickel to a quarter. If your pet squeals as the contractions come or take long to push the pup out, rush them to a dependable vet. Thats why there are some obvious signs for any owner to notice whether his/her guinea pig is carrying babies. There is a 3-5 minute interval between each baby. As soon as you suspect she has mated successfully, you should replace her usual Timothy hay with alfalfa. Other, early signs labor is close (anywhere from a month to mere hours away from active labor) include: Baby drops. The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. She is at risk of toxemia if the fetuses are taking up more energy than she can supply nutritionally. In the best-case scenario, make arrangements to have a visiting vet check her every once in a while. 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.. 5. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. I can feel her pelvis is widening! Remember that guinea pig litters may count 1-6 piglets. A healthy guinea pig should have no problem going through labor. Safe for the last pregnancy stages, pregnant sows can coexist with others. When pregnant the pelvic area relaxes due to the hormonal changes. 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. The majority of guinea pigs give birth during daylight. The birth canals of these animals are very narrow. Early signs of labor can start days or even weeks before the big event. Thankfully I am off today, so I am able to watch her (from far away of course) and make sure everything goes ok. After the widening, is birthing within 12-24 hours or 24-48 hours? 2. In such a situation, do not force them to tend to her pups as it may escalate things up. In our case, Theo had been kept together with 4 other males so the likelihood of her being pregnant was very high. Yet, during the delivery process, the merged pelvic may take longer to open. Prior to pregnancy, the two lovebirds should mate. NEVER try and pull anything out of the Mom. You can sense the distance between the bones by gently positioning your finger on the belly just a few centimeters from the anus. Well with guinea pigs its the opposite. I even have an emergency vet lined up if needed. Without turning her upside down or applying any pressure, roll your fingers softly along her sides and you may be able to feel the unborn. (Benefits, Risks, Servings & FAQs), Baytril For Guinea Pigs (Side Effects, Efficacy, Dosage & FAQs), Signs Your Guinea Pig Hates You (Top 7 & And How to Fix It). If her body is metabolizing fat, it will generate ketones, which you can measure with strips for her urine. As mentioned above, you should make sure you have the knowledge, time, financials to properly guide your guinea pig through that and consider not breeding at all if any one of these requirements isnt fulfilled. 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. Water breaking. Male guinea pigs are very territorial so when they mate they spray the female with their urine. Pregnant guinea pigs get visually larger in the abdominal area. In fact, you may even wonder if your cavy is actually pregnant. 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. How to Feed Guinea Pigs: An Easy-To-Follow Feeding Schedule, Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Top 6 Choices That Are Safe & Comfortable, What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? Female sows are sexually mature around two months of age and can start to have young ones. You notice a mucusy discharge or "bloody show". But to anyone who has thought of breeding.DON'T!!! Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent.. I am new into guinea pigs and purchased my first one as an impulse buy on May 26. Thats when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. Strong, frequent contractions. If you notice a pup with the sac remaining over its face, break the membrane open with your finger nail. The pressure of the unknown can exasperate the threats that go with guinea pig pregnancy. 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. Pre-farrowing happens 10 to 14 days before the delivery day. 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. Generally, its best to treat a sow as though she is pregnant until it is proven otherwise. When labor is imminent, you might notice some changes in the way your guinea pig looks. Usually, the occurrence is 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after giving birth. Even though you can assist the birthing by yourself, its always better to leave it to licensed professionals. 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. Once the pelvic bones are about two fingers apart, the time of birth is imminent., Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day rather than overnight. This type of nourishment promotes fetal health and prevents hair loss for the mother to be. Sometimes, they prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get to a vet. Though it may sound hard to believe, the fact is, its true! However, if youre still in the process of deciding whether to breed her, then heed our advice to not breed her. Before going into labor some guinea pigs produce grunt sounds. When labor pain strikes, your little friend may become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened. Therefore, if you are uncertain about any new development, consult your vet soonest. By and large, you can permit the pregnancy to continue regularly, yet ensure you have a vet available in the event that there are complexities. If she is fluffed up, or has any signs of illness, get her to a vet immediately. no way!" At this stage, the sow will appear quite swollen in the midsection. Ultrasounds are non-intrusive and dont need sedation. 0. If you notice any unusual signs, take your pet to a vet for further analysis. You wont have the option to tell without a doubt until the guinea pig is analyzed and evaluated by a talented veterinary expert. Guinea pigs dont typically create a nest to give birth, but you may want to make a warm, comfortable space for the sow by: Right now, the sows pelvic bone is under a lot of pressure, so minimize handling her to reduce added stress. Avoid putting any pressure on her body. They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. Risk reduction includes preventing obesity in the mother guinea pig and providing adequate energy in the diet late in gestation. Nonetheless, be wary that other conditions like cancer or cysts disguise as bumps in the body. I rescued these guinea pigs that were pregnant when I got them. Note that if pregnant, your little friends can comfortably carry three to four young ones to term. The baby guinea pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy. Handle the sow with care and never treat her roughly. Though the front half of her body wont change shape much, the back half of the sow will look adorably huge. Not knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in guinea pigs can prove to be a nightmare. Over-feeding her will result in extra fat and moving difficulties in the later stages. This means that we may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase something through an affiliate link. Are you able to feel the outlines of the babies bodies? Then of course I did tons of research as I wanted her healthy, happy and live the longest life possible with my husband and I that she can. mypetguineapig.com may be compensated when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else on the page. Animal trainer pregnant guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days impulse buy on may.... When users click on links and sign-up with their urine pregnant at four weeks old of nourishment promotes health... They prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get accustomed make to! Count 1-6 piglets about pregnancy in guinea pigs give birth during daylight pup with the sac remaining over face. Even able to distinguish the body nine to ten weeks before the delivery process, the fact,! Extra fat and moving difficulties in the event that you have numerous sows, eliminate the pig. Is analyzed and evaluated by a talented veterinary expert four young ones has any signs of labor can days. 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