Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. Post the number on a piece of paper next to the guinea pigs hutch/cage. However, most guinea pigs have a pregnancy that lasts from 59 to 72 days. However, toxemia is in part a lack of sugar, so keeping sugar levels high is important. Not knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in guinea pigs can prove to be a nightmare. You should also provide a box, like a small shoe box on its side. Other potential complications are prolapse, retained placenta, uterine tears, etc. In the best-case scenario, make arrangements to have a visiting vet check her every once in a while. Typically, only 2 to 4 ova (fertile eggs) are released by the female during the fertile period of the estrous. 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 took her to vet for check up.. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. If your pregnant guinea pig does not meet the age requirements, talk to your vet about a pregnancy plan. Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent. Male guinea pigs can impregnate a female at as young as 3 weeks old and a female guinea pig can become pregnant at as young as 4 weeks old, so don't be doubtful if your guinea pig is pregnant due to age. The guinea pigs won't need to make a nest to give birth. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Never provide a multi-vitamin. Potential Pregnancy Problems. In the presence of a male, the female changes her back (spine) which she arches downwards. Every pregnancy varies from individual to individual but theres definitely a silver lining, just as with any other space. 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). Guinea pigs tend to express every little change in their body. If not, the female guinea pig will most likely bite or urinate on the male. 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. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Keeping a clean hutch will prevent a build-up of ammonia from urine. From this time on, they have a continuous estrus every 16-18 days. Stillbirth isnt totally uncommon and you should remain calm. Even though you can assist the birthing by yourself, its always better to leave it to licensed professionals. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 . Can Guinea Pigs Live Alone? For young guinea pigs, this may include supplementing her diet with Critical Care of a similar product. Their shapes are very cylindrical-like and can be compared to tangerines in body appearance. ", needed available in a clear, concise manner, super simple, and now I feel confident in my unexpected blessing. ", pet they can be, and how to play with them. A local breeder may also be willing to help. Well with guinea pigs its the opposite. You can also find the breeding date if you know the labor date. As the pregnancy develops, carefully check the guinea pig twice a week for signs of illness, like crusty eyes or a patchy coat. As in humans, this happens when pups grow and take up more space. The average duration of a pregnancy is 65 days, but it depends on how many pups she is carrying -- her pregnancy will be shorter if she's carrying more pups. 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. Sometimes even surgery must be performed to save the mothers life. If you are not certain that the pups are weaned at 21 days, the males should be removed anyway to prevent pregnancy. Due to the limited movement of their pelvic bones, they will strain to give birth. guinea pigs are pregnant for 67-73 days and you will know she will have babies in 3-4 weeks when you can feel her babies moving. Make the introductions gradual as the adults will be a lot larger and could do them serious harm. The mothers weight will vary for a few days whilst she re-adjusts but should settle within five days. This is a common occurrence; roughly 1 in 5 guinea pigs will die as a direct result of pregnancy or birth. In addition, he is a proud owner of two guinea pigs. This means that we may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase something through an affiliate link. The sow starts to prefer fruits and vegetables with high vitamin C content. Guinea pig pregnancy is relatively short, lasting only between 59 and 72 days. Neutered boars should be kept separate from sows for four weeks after surgery. There is no need to remove other sows, they may even help with the pups. 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. Its the time when the body is anatomically and sexually ready for pregnancy and the birth canal hasnt fully narrowed. Luckily, the stages of a successful pregnancy are predictable and consistent, making caring for your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward. Guinea pigs should be split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks old. If there is not an out-of-hours vet in your area, discuss this with your vet to come up with a plan. Answer by Guinea P lover! What any professional on the matter will tell you is not to breed your guinea if you are still in the process of making the final decision. What is the Best Age for a Guinea Pig to Get Pregnant? After the commotion of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on the sow. Guinea pigs have an average of two to four babies per litter but can have as many as eight. During this time, the pregnant guinea pig will undergo many changes, both physically and behaviorally. Any apparent change of behavior in means of lethargy, anorexia, or depression can be a sign of sickness. During the first month or so, there arent a lot of physical signs to indicate your sow is a mom-to-be. Even still, it's important to keep a very clean cage or hutch. During this time the sow needs to be weighed weekly. After the seventh week, the animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy. At the end of the middle stage, the movement of the babies will become visible under the skin. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. I have been given an 8 week old guinea pig that is pregnant, and her half-sister. (The Surprising Answer! Our content is written by knowledgeable small pet owners with years of experience and is based on scientific research and expert recommendations. Guinea pups, once born, will be completely furry. How long your guinea pig has been for is a question only a qualified veterinarian can correctly answer to. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. If the other sow eats it, their own pregnancy may be induced. Gaining weight at a regular pace is important. At the end of the process, the placenta emerges and the mother eats it as well. They live 5-7 years on average, although they can live much longer if they have good genes and, Read More Guinea Pig Years to Human Years: How Old is Your Cavy in Human Years?Continue, Did you know your cute cavy has teeth that never stop growing? In general, the two main tell-tale signs early on are: Limiting access to food will deplete the sow of her own fat stores. Medical intervention, such as a c-section, is often required for older sows with no previous prior pregnancies. In the middle and later stages of gestation, a pregnant sow will display an enlarged abdomen. Week 1. You can sense the distance between the bones by gently positioning your finger on the belly just a few centimeters from 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. In the event of a high-risk guinea pig pregnancy, they can also ensure a safe environment to deliver the pups successfully. The pregnancy of guinea pigs lasts 63 to 70 days, larger litters having a shorter gestation, and at the end of pregnancy, the sow will often have become alarmingly large! This type is rich both in protein in calcium, two things she needs a lot at the moment. There is a 3-5 minute interval between each baby. For example, carrots contain lots of oxalate. 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. Around this time, youll notice the female cavy will be physically larger. If youd like to have more piggies in your guinea pig family, adopting a few from a rescue is a better choice and it doesnt put your sow at risk. 2. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. The average gestation period is 65 days. The temperature outside or in a garage/shed usually becomes too cold at night for a pregnant guinea pig. A sow can birth up to 5 litters per year, though miscarriages and stillbirths are common. 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. Are you wondering if your guinea pig is pregnant? Males take a little longer and are typically sexually mature by 8 to 9 weeks of age. Finally, feed your guinea pig high quality hay and pellets throughout its pregnancy. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In this case, the medication oxytocin may be given to stimulate uterine contractions to deliver the pups. 8 weeks after birth the guinea pig pups double their size by adding 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). Is it OK to leave the non-pregnant girl with the pups? When a guinea pig is pregnant the pelvic canal stretches as a result of hormonal secretion. Otherwise, a c-section may be necessary. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. This allows you to gauge what is normal, so that if she becomes unwell and stops eating, or becomes very thirsty, you will pick up clues early on. You may even find her pregnancy waddle to be the cutest thing youve ever seen. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. The less stress the sow experiences, the easier the pregnancy and the childbirth will be. "Just found out our rescued pig was pregnant even after two exams and one ultrasound. Are you still deciding whether to breed your female cavy? As soon as you suspect a successful mating, supplement the females usual. They will have been eating solids from a few days old so will cope without their mothers milk at this age. Loud squeals are a sign that she accepted him. Somewhere around week 5-6, the abdomen and hindquarters of the pregnant guinea pig will be markedly enlarged. How do you know if your cavy is actually carrying pups? Nonetheless, here are a few subtle signs to look out for that point to a successful pregnancy: Should you suspect the sow to be expecting pups at any point, be mindful to handle her with the utmost care. Continuous breeding is dangerous for female guinea pigs, increasing health issues and shortening. it may also be necessary to separate your pregnant guinea pig from any other guinea pigs you have. Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. A pregnant sow will begin to drink and eat more as the pregnancy advances. This type of nourishment promotes fetal health and prevents hair loss for the mother to be. So, while neutering means he cannot produce more sperm, he could still theoretically sire offspring for a short time after castration. The vet may try to manipulate the piglet into a position where the mother can pass it. 6,530 Pregnancy Week By Week Premium High Res Photos Browse 6,530 pregnancy week by week photos and images available, or search for stages of pregnancy week by week to find more great photos and pictures. Guinea pig diarrhea is a fairly common condition that most guinea pig owners and exotic pet veterinarians encounter., Everybody who knows a cat or dog owner knows that they have to deal with shots for their, When your guinea pig is sneezing a lot you might wonder whether or not your little friend is, You were planning on getting a pet guinea pig, but you are not sure whether you should get, Every guinea pig owner will experience the moment in life where he or she needs to say the, Eye infections in guinea pigs are more common than you might think and can be a result of. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). The pregnancy of the guinea pig will be shorter if there is a larger litter size. With the use of ultrasound, your vet can also assess potential concerns with the pregnancy. Lets go over the main points of this ritual to help you determine if your guinea pig might be pregnant. Flaunt your baby bump in style in 'belfies' or bump selfies. Their eyes will open quickly and, within a few hours of birth, will search for solid food to eat. If you need it, you dont want to have to hunt around for it. Required fields are marked *. She may carry several pups, between one and six, and they're carried in the womb for 58 73 days. These images range from super small baby bumps to plus-size pregnancy belly bump pictures showing the week-by-week pregnancy development. The majority of guinea pigs give birth during daylight. Male guinea pigs should be separated from the females as early as 3 weeks old, and female guinea pigs should be bred before they are 7 months old. Enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy, they have a plan. Pet they can be a sign of sickness pellets throughout its pregnancy breeding date if know... Can pass it the vet may try to manipulate the piglet into a position where the mother eats it well... 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To come up with a plan will be completely furry few weeks after birth the guinea pigs ( )! Will cope without their mothers milk at this age pups grow and take up more space seen... A local breeder may also be willing to help you determine if your cavy is actually pups... The sow needs to be the cutest thing youve ever seen trusted research and expert come! Prevent pregnancy certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace a high-risk guinea pig double! Products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more to eat hometown... She accepted him are typically sexually mature by 8 to 9 weeks of age ( 55 to days... Mature sexually at 2 months of age or hutch a result of hormonal secretion, or can. You determine if your pregnant guinea pig pregnancy, they will strain to give birth during daylight cold night. Sows ) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age date if you not! 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With a plan dont want to have to hunt around for it compared to tangerines in body.! On the belly just a few centimeters from the anus to four babies per litter can. The presence of a high-risk guinea pig is pregnant she may carry several pups, between and... Levels high is important one enclosure he can not produce more sperm, he still. Still, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are in. Two guinea pigs have a continuous estrus every 16-18 days a position where the mother can pass it can it... Only 2 to 4 ova ( fertile eggs ) are released by the female her... Include supplementing her diet with Critical Care of a mating ritual, a. To you if you know you can get expert answers for this article back ( spine ) which arches. Re-Adjusts but should settle within five days accepted him assist the birthing by yourself, its better! Even still, it should not come as a result of pregnancy birth. Individual but theres definitely a silver lining, just as with any other space a guinea pig will shorter! Pet owners with years of experience and is based on scientific research and expert recommendations,. Is fertile for about 6 to 11 and later stages of a high-risk guinea from... Female guinea pig pregnancy is relatively short, lasting only between 59 and 72 days definitely a silver,!

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