The guinea pig may die during or after pregnancy due to complications during pregnancy or birth, or from toxemia after birth. Ammonia irritates the lungs of pigs and will predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! But do you really understand what it takes to care for these fluffy friends? ), Will Guinea Pigs Kill Each Other? The mother starts producing milk about a week after giving birth to the pups. During pregnancy, you will notice your guinea pig will be more reluctant to interact with you, so avoid too much petting or lifting. Pups will each have their own amniotic sac, which the sow normally removes and ingests. They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. The boar must be removed by 50 days as he may continue to mount her which can be stressful or painful in later pregnancy, and she could become pregnant again as early as two hours after the birth. If your pet has too much of this, it can build up in urine and cause bladder stones. Though it may sound hard to believe, the fact is, its true! It is entirely possible for a male pup to impregnate its mother or sisters. When its utterly necessary make sure she has the support of her hips. Although the guinea pig gestation period varies, the guinea pig gestation period typically lasts between 59-72 days. Phone: 06 758 4006. Duration of guinea pig pregnancy depends on the number of pups: the larger the litter the shorter the pregnancy. Typically, breeding reduces the lifespan of female cavies. Pregnancy toxaemia in well kept guinea pigs is very rare; it is most common in breeder sows kept mainly on low grade pellets and with too little/low grade and too little/low grade hay and is more commonly seen in hot weather. Doing so can cause pups to grow too big, which the sow may struggle to birth. When the metabolic product reaches harmful concentration in the blood most obvious symptoms are: Commercial urine strips can help you measure the presence of ketones in her urine in the last few weeks of the pregnancy. Pregnancy is hard work for a female guinea pig. Baby boys need to leave mum at 3 weeks of age or 250grams, whichever comes first. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. Is your sow pregnant? When her pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the labor is very near. You can also find the breeding date if you know the labor date. Guinea Pig Pregnancy and Baby Chat, Advice, and Support Join group About this group This group is not anti breeder and we do support ethical breeding. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. Its also cheaper in the long run than disposable bedding, eco-friendly, and doesnt contain dust that, Read More Fleece Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Pros and Cons & How to Use ItContinue, A true favorite among small pets, guinea pigs are no doubt unique, sweet little creatures. Males should be removed well before the birth to avoid back-to-back pregnancies. The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. The male on, the other hand, will put on his manly display but will still approach the saw with a lowered head. Wash out the water bottle with a gentle dish soap every few days. guinea pigs concerned are given unlimited access to plenty of fresh, green meadow hay to keep them occupied - this will often stop the problem. You can sense the distance between the bones by gently positioning your finger on the belly just a few centimeters from the anus. A few proprietors have brought a young guinea pig home, to find that she is pregnant as of now! Required fields are marked *. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. Every pregnancy varies from individual to individual but there's definitely a silver lining, just as with any other space.Not only will we dive deeper into how you can actually find out if your piggy might be pregnant and how you can take steps and precautions towards their delivery date.Just a disc. Support wikiHow by Naturally bald areas. Flaunt your baby bump in style in 'belfies' or bump selfies. Guinea pig pregnancy week-by-week may sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy parent. Since their gestation lasts just 59-73 days, a female guinea pig is capable in theory of bearing five or even six litters a year. Not only will we dive deeper into how you can actually find out if your piggy might be pregnant and how you can take steps and precautions towards their delivery date. What is the Best Age for a Guinea Pig to Get Pregnant? A sow can birth up to 5 litters per year, though miscarriages and stillbirths are common. Medical intervention, such as a c-section, is often required for older sows with no previous prior pregnancies. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Then check out these 15 things to know, Read More 15 Things to Know Before Adopting Guinea PigsContinue, Your email address will not be published. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. Though the front half of her body wont change shape much, the back half of the sow will look adorably huge. Speak to your vet to make sure you provide the right quantity of pellets. During this time, the pregnant guinea pig will undergo many changes, both physically and behaviorally. However, even without the mothers milk baby guinea pigs can survive feeding only on solid food. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. Make any changes as early as possible in the pregnancy, when the stress will have less of an effect on the sow. Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day rather than overnight. Doing so can lead to pregnancy. Even the baby males can impregnate their mum at around three weeks old, so they will also need to be removed from the cage. We begin with week 4, which is when the pregnancy is most likely to be confirmed. The vet will assess the guinea pigs condition. After the commotion of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on the sow. On rare occasions, it means that the guinea pig is suffering from a sickness. Thats why there are some obvious signs for any owner to notice whether his/her guinea pig is carrying babies. Luckily, the stages of a successful pregnancy are predictable and consistent, making caring for your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward. From this time on, they have a continuous estrus every 16-18 days. Guinea pigs can especially sexually mature early for animals. Females can reach sexual maturity as early as approximately 4-6 weeks of age and males as early as approximately 8-9 weeks of age so the different sexes should be separated before they are able to reproduce with each other. (Complete Setup), Do Guinea Pigs Eat Carrots? However, the following guinea pig pregnancy timeline will simplify the entire gestation period and demystify the experience, so you can provide a stress-free environment for your little mama and her tiny pups. "I recently adopted two pigs but realized I would have many more very soon. Fleece bedding comes in many styles, looks great, and is comfortable on guinea pigs feet. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. Critical Care or a similar product as it is likely you will need it for at least one pup. Examine the shape of the cavy's genital opening. If you have not removed males yet, do so at this point. There are several factors that can affect how many days a mare is actually pregnant. We got her without knowing that she was a pregnant guinea pig. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. As in humans, this happens when pups grow and take up more space. A female guinea pig can fall pregnant immediately after giving birth. I am to have more of a informative conversation with my vet on Monday. Somewhere around week 5-6, the abdomen and hindquarters of the pregnant guinea pig will be markedly enlarged. Pet stores often keep both sexes together, resulting in many people being sold sows which are already pregnant. Is your female guinea pig getting more chubby lately, leaving you wondering if youll soon have a bunch of fluff balls running around? A first-timer will not gain as much weight, but generally will weigh 35 ounces or more by the time she gives birth. Approved. For example, carrots contain lots of oxalate. You need to find out whether she is with babies earlier to provide the appropriate level of care for each stage of the pregnancy. This helped me, "Glad we got educated early. I have been given an 8 week old guinea pig that is pregnant, and her half-sister. Handling those delicate tootsies which are no bigger than the size of, Read More Guinea Pig Nail Care: Advice For Trimming & Cutting Guinea Pig NailsContinue, Are you searching for an awesome guinea-pig-themed gift? For young guinea pigs, this may include supplementing her diet with Critical Care of a similar product. 8 weeks after birth the guinea pig pups double their size by adding 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. They may prescribe treatment that includes injections of dextrose solutions, steroids and calcium, which may or may not be effective. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. At birth, baby guinea pigs can weigh between 2.1 and 4.2 oz (60 and 120 grams) and have an average size of 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). Only this way, serious delivery problems can be avoided. Only a skilled and experienced veterinarian should attempt to manipulate the position of pups before they are born. also her pelvic bones will widen from being clamped shut to about an inch and a half. Vitamin C supplements should be given orally at a regiment of 10 mg a day. Look closely at the cavy's genital opening. My guinea pig's quite fat, but when we went to the vet, she wasn't pregnant. Week 1. The pups are born with open eyes and covered in fur. (Know Before Feeding! Setting up a guinea pig cage is not so easy. The ultrasound, is a non-invasive procedure and can confirm the pregnancy. A cesarian section surgery will likely be necessary. Male guinea pigs have a larger amount of space between their penis and their anus, about 2-3cm of space between the penis and the anus. 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. . Small litters do not cause the belly to enlarge significantly, and will not be as noticeable. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. How do you know if your cavy is actually carrying pups? Typically, only 2 to 4 ova (fertile eggs) are released by the female during the fertile period of the estrous. If you do decide to breed them, ensure your sow is young enough (but not too young) so there are less chances of complications. This is because sows who are too young are at a greater risk of vitamin deficiencies during pregnancy. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. 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. ", pet they can be, and how to play with them. Nonetheless, at this stage, allow the female cavy to eat and drink as much as she would like. Quite a shock, since we thought. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. However, for the most part, you will not be required to make major changes to the usual environment. If the female disproves of her suitor, then she will snap at or bite him to chase him away. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). And, truth be told, it can certainly be a tricky, stress-ridden adventure for experienced cavy owners as well. At birth the pups should weigh roughly 2 to 3 oz. Vitamin C is highly unstable and breaks down within 8 weeks of the manufacturing date. Establish a daily routine with set times and stick to it, to provide consistency. Boys will try and mate with their mum at . Do not cut pellets to reduce the chance of larger pups or attempt to put a pregnant overweight sow on a diet. A List of Safe, Healthy Chewables for your CaviesContinue, It can be intimidating for first-time guinea pig parents to clip their cavys nails. This is because sperm can survive in his tubes for this length of time. ", needed available in a clear, concise manner, super simple, and now I feel confident in my unexpected blessing. This type is rich both in protein in calcium, two things she needs a lot at the moment. Reduce exposure to loud noises or bright lights. Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that this isnt medical advice and if you assume there might be a health-related issue, you should contact your vet. How can I tell? Usually, the occurrence is 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after giving birth. Guinea pig mother lactates for 2-3 weeks. With our guinea pig pregnancy calculator, you can easily estimate the day a guinea pig will give birth to little pups. 2. If the sow becomes uninterested in food contact your veterinarian immediately. If you cannot check on the sow because of work etc. What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? As the female guinea pig gets older, the bones making up the pelvic canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing. The first week of a guinea pig's . What most people dont know is that the number of babies affects the length of the pregnancy. This article made the information I, "This helped a lot. This mechanism works in other species of animals as well and very fortunately humans arent accustomed to it. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. The estrous cycle is somewhat typical in means of behavioral changes of the female guinea pig. 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. Vitamin C is the number one supplement for guinea pigs because their bodies cannot synthesize it. If I felt my pregnant guinea pig's belly and caused her a miscarriage, what would the signs be? A neutered male guinea pig can still impregnate a female Due to the limited movement of their pelvic bones, they will strain to give birth. when they are this wide you will know she will give birth in the next 48 hours. Once the pelvic bones are about two fingers apart, the time of birth is imminent. Guinea pigs are pregnant for 58-73 days. Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. Any apparent change of behavior in means of lethargy, anorexia, or depression can be a sign of sickness. This means that we may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase something through an affiliate link. If not, the female guinea pig will most likely bite or urinate on the male. However, with the proper care, this risk can be significantly reduced and your pregnant guinea pig can be kept in good health. Alfalfa hay is great for pregnant, nursing and young guinea pigs but the calcium content is too high for normal guinea pigs as a build-up of calcium can cause bladder stones. If you've found out that your guinea pig is pregnant, check on it several times a day to monitor its drinking and eating habits so you know what is normal and can react to changes. This type of nourishment promotes fetal health and prevents hair loss for the mother to be. Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent. A local breeder may also be willing to help. Season: A mare's gestation period can be impacted by the season. Keep in mind that not always the mother can naturally deliver the whole litter without any problems. Week 5 they generally begin to show Week 6 - you can feel the pups move by gently cupping your hands around her tummy Week 8-10 - you may be able to see the pups move from the outside Week 9-10 - you may be able to hear the babies teeth gnashing All generals. Guinea Pig Eye Infection What You Should Do? Thats when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. Use our guinea pig gestation calculator to estimate your pets due date based on the date she was bred. Hence, when housed together, a guinea pig pregnancy can occur very early and very often. (The Surprising Answer! [1] . Prevention is key, therefore, as stress and obesity play a major role in its development. Last Updated: March 2, 2023 Near the end restrain yourself from picking the animal up. The milk provides some very important nutrients for the babies. Introduce the male pups to the father and any other boars you have. The ultrasound will also be able to confirm how many pups there are, and how many of them are alive. Leave her in her own cage and move the others, so that she can remain in a surrounding thats familiar to her. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. Do not crowd the mother have only one person in the room, but another on standby to make calls if necessary. My guinea pig is pregnant, and I'm worried she might be sick. In this case, the medication oxytocin may be given to stimulate uterine contractions to deliver the pups. As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. Cavies of both sexes, when mixed together and unsterilized, will most assuredly result in guinea pig pregnancy. The largest noted litter numbered 14 guinea pigs. Lets go over the main points of this ritual to help you determine if your guinea pig might be pregnant. If any of them seem to bother her or tease her, they will need to be put in a separate cage. Pet shops are notoriously bad for sexing guinea pigs and may have mis-sexed one of your guinea pigs. Wondering how old your precious guinea pigs are in human years? The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. Whether the gift is for a friend or a family member, an adult or a kid, or even for, Read More 16 Gifts for Guinea Pig Lovers & OwnersContinue, Fleece bedding for guinea pigs is popular amongst piggy parents, whether they want a nice-looking cage or the comfiest home for their fur babies.