So, the first step in knowing if your guinea pig is pregnant? Pet shops are notoriously bad for sexing guinea pigs and may have mis-sexed one of your guinea pigs. So you should. Just because they are the pups of a familiar guinea pig, this does not mean that they will be accepted immediately. ", all. Toxemia is the result of a metabolic imbalance, which causes the guinea pig to become gravely ill. Calcium deficiency often displays similar symptoms, but it is the result of a calcium imbalance, whereas toxemia happens due to internal complications associated with impaired blood supply to the uterus. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. Use to remove results with certain terms Regardless of how pregnancy occurs, the average guinea pig gestation period is 65 days. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_14',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Fun Fact: You may think that the more the number of babies, the longer it takes for them to get born. If you are not prepared to care for them yourself, a more experienced guinea pig owner may be willing to take them or you may make the decision to have them put down. This is going to be all the more obvious if she was a very active female before she was pregnant. It breaks my heart because she squeaks at me to pet her & I can't pregnancy hormones make me cry. If you feel lumps under your fingers this is a sign the female is pregnant. Unless you are a qualified veterinarian, the only other way to know is to go to someone who is an actual veterinarian.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'pocketpetcentral_com-portrait-1','ezslot_20',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-portrait-1-0'); Some people may think that knowing how far along the pregnancy is, could not yield any benefit. Once the pups are weaned, the mother should not require vitamin supplements anymore, unless you gave them to her as part of her regular diet anyway. Four read more . The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. I am to have more of a informative conversation with my vet on Monday. The larger the size of the litter, the shorter the time they could stay inside in the same area where a smaller litter could stay longer. As a general rule, guinea pigs do not respond well to anaesthetic so if it is possible, separating the sexes is a safer option. Stress is one of the most common reasons for death in guinea pigs, during pregnancy no less! By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. But still, to be on the safer side, having boundaries to the free space she runs is advised. Guinea pigs are certainly cute. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. They should be kept at the same comfortable temperature as the adults. However, do not assume that your guinea pig is pregnant based on just how much she is eating or drinking. References But when pregnant, the mother needs to enrich herself for the pain she is about to endure and should provide nutrition for her babies. 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. You can also touch her abdomen gently to feel for piglets in the womb. They will have been eating solids from a few days old so will cope without their mothers milk at this age. Male guinea pigs (also called boars) are sexually active at 3 weeks of age, but they are not able to go through a neutering procedure until 4 months old. Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity early in their life- as early as six weeks!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-1','ezslot_6',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-1-0'); So, remember that when you are wondering about the probable pregnancy of your guinea pigs. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-3','ezslot_10',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-3','ezslot_11',129,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-3-0_1');.leader-3-multi-129{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Mothers start lactating after about 8 days. What is the Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs? Critical Care or a similar product as it is likely you will need it for at least one pup. The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. 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. As weeks go by, the mother's belly will become tighter and bulkier. The normal pregnancy period of a woman is 40 weeks. If they do mate, I will now. After the surgery, keep your pet quiet and separated from other guinea pigs while recovering. Guinea pigs have a much shorter timeline of pregnancy than humans. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. How Can You Know How Far Along Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy is? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. While there are many hereditary diseases that you should foresee, there are several other basic tests too. This is because sows who are too young are at a greater risk of vitamin deficiencies during pregnancy. Small litters do not cause the belly to enlarge significantly, and will not be as noticeable. Guinea pigs should be split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks old. Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. Note that the gestation period is usually 66 - 72 days. If you need it, you dont want to have to hunt around for it. Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. ask a friend or neighbour to check on her. The guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72 days. Ammonia irritates the lungs of pigs and will predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections. Maturing guinea pigs. Be very careful if you need to hold or handle a pregnant guinea pig. At birth the pups should weigh roughly 2 to 3 oz. If your pregnant guinea pig does not meet the age requirements, talk to your vet about a pregnancy plan. Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. 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. Again, lets go step-by-step with this too. The latter logic transcends the former. The more the number of baby guinea pigs, the shorter is the period of pregnancy. Despre Club; Echipa; FRESHconsult Begin by making a "C" shape with your thumb and first finger, and then sliding the thumb over the top of her tummy and the forefinger underneath her belly. We took her to vet for check up.. The labor: You can hear distinct cries of her before she goes into labor. 8 weeks after birth the guinea pig pups double their size by adding 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Your vet will instruct you with all the necessary tests to be taken. o [ canine influenza] Only a skilled and experienced veterinarian should attempt to manipulate the position of pups before they are born. Immediate veterinary care is required, but the prognosis is usually very poor. Ultrasounds are non-invasive and do not require sedation. Use for phrases Neutering is advised only after the age of 4 months. X Research source The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. Well, I guess this is the most important section of this post. I love animals! The safest, easiest, and least expensive way to prevent breeding is to house male and female guinea pigs separately. Your pregnant sow will also need more vitamin C after 4 weeks, about twice as much, so incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C into her diet. ", care of my guinea pig and I am so sure that she is healthy and will have my little baby friends soon! Also see professional content regarding management of guinea pigs Guinea Pigs Guinea pigs, like chinchillas, are hystricognath rodents. When a guinea pig is about to give birth, any male guinea pigs near her will gather around and try to become the dominant male in order to both protect the female and mate with her. o [pig guinea] By this time, your pet's pelvic bones will have widened enough to make way for the pups . Support wikiHow by Guinea Pig Vomit: Everything You Need To Know. Read more about this in our helpful guide. Their shapes are very cylindrical-like and can be compared to tangerines in body appearance. Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. For the first week, the babies do not actually rely on the mother for food. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. But that does not mean a complete compromise of their hygiene. He is an exotic vet. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Right. But believe me, it does. The ultrasound will also be able to confirm how many pups there are, and how many of them are alive. 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. Newborn guinea pigs weigh about 3.5 ounces (100 g). If your guinea pig allows you to touch her, use your fingers to gently examine her sides and stomach. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. But doctors these days make the surgery sound like the only choice so that they could fill their pockets. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Finally, feed your guinea pig high quality hay and pellets throughout its pregnancy. Thats right, they have a distinction between emotions and the mind, just like humans, even though both are processed and caused by the same brain! If you are concerned about the mother or have serious health worries about one of the pups contact a vet immediately, however. Even though the birthing can be handled by yourself, it is better to leave it to licensed veterinarians to avoid last minute complications. Even at such a small size, they have hair and are able to see and run. If the weight does not pick up, or a pup does not improve with additional feeding, consult the vet. Discovered how versatile a. Adults are no longer growing but still require macro-nutrients like fiber and protein, as well as micro-nutrients like the vitamins and minerals that are found in a timothy hay-based, uniform fortified food. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 324,740 times. If there is not an out-of-hours vet in your area, discuss this with your vet to come up with a plan. Individual pet owners should not attempt to breed guinea pigs, according to experts, for two very important reasons: Quite a shock, since we thought. To prevent high stress levels, which can lead to disease, keep your guinea pig away from direct sunlight. 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 think a little touch or petting couldnt hurt. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Is she pregnant? One, it could be your baby guinea pigs. Finally, have the pregnancy confirmed by a veterinarian, who can perform an ultrasound and give you information about caring for a pregnant guinea pig. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. This refers to the time between your guinea pig becoming pregnant and its offspring being born. Of course, as you probably already know, a break between two consecutive estrus cycles can be caused only by a pregnancy. And hand those records to your vert during his weekly visit so that he can comprehend the situation in hand better. Pet stores often keep both sexes together, resulting in many people being sold sows which are already pregnant. Make any changes as early as possible in the pregnancy, when the stress will have less of an effect on the sow. Do not handle her all the time like before. Enter search terms to find related veterinary topics, multimedia and more. Facultatea Business si Turism. This period starts from the first day of the last period before your baby is born. Guinea Pig Pregnancy Stages - YouTube 0:00 / 2:14 Guinea Pig Pregnancy Stages 64,851 views Jul 6, 2014 550 Dislike Share Save Squishy Bubbles 5.62K subscribers Are you wondering if your. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-4','ezslot_12',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-4-0');For how long is a guinea pig pregnant? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. When your guinea pigs reach 16 weeks of age, it is the time that they mature significantly. Publisher: Pergamon. So how about the baby guinea pigs? This way you can keep track of her weight in order to determine any patterns of weight gain that may be indicative of a pregnancy. "We just found out that one of our guinea pigs is male and the other is pregnant! We had no idea of when Theo would have become pregnant, so we just counted the days from when we brought her home. Whilst brothers will be fine to be housed together throughout their lives, they may never get on well enough will other boars to be permanently housed with them. That's right, in many cases guinea pigs are pregnant for less than two months before they give birth to their litter. Then I followed the steps that say how to take, "My guinea pig was acting strange. In addition, you may want to increase your guinea pig's fiber intake. But pregnancy is far from straightforward for guinea pigs. If several fetuses are present, you will feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a similar size. Since they no longer eat just for them, but also for the baby piggies inside, they eat more than the usual amount. Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA(known as MSD outside of the US and Canada) is dedicated to using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. Shortly after giving birth, guinea pigs begin a fresh estrous cycle that lasts only about half a day. You may think that personal hygiene of your guinea pig is important during pregnancy. For different stages of progress, there are different medicines, food supplies, the quantity of food and water, and more! If at any point her weight begins to fall or if she begins to show signs of illness, consult a vet immediately. How can I tell? How much depends on the size of the litter, but her weight should never begin fall. Then, the ultrasound probe is placed on skin and emits a high-frequency sound that is inaudible to human ears. Be aware that young guinea pigs will begin to eat more as they grow anyway. Only hold her if necessary. Here, we investigated the effects of parental age, parity, and . But that isnt the case in guinea pigs. The placenta contains hormones which can trigger contractions. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! Females can become pregnant immediately after giving birth so make sure that there are no males nearby. You should absolutely, Alfalfa hay is rich in calcium and protein. Pregnancy can have a number of complications for the sow, the female guinea pig, including toxaemia (metabolic imbalance), dystocia (difficulty giving birth), and post-partum difficulties (such as seizures due to low calcium levels). Doing otherwise can cause pregnancy complications or miscarriage. By using our site, you agree to our. These pups may die within a few days of birth, or may live for several years. If they do survive the first week they have a shorter than normal life expectancy and will require large amounts of medical care throughout their lives. Also called as parturition in scientific terms, the birth, of course, is the part where the litter is delivered. Offer fresh vegetables every day. An ultrasound scan can visualize exactly what the bumps are and confirm a pregnancy. The mothers weight will vary for a few days whilst she re-adjusts but should settle within five days. If there is a likelihood any of the pups are born with this condition you must decide what action you will take. Even though having a vet all the time is not convenient. Things to RememberAbout Guinea Pig Pregnancy and Breeding, Terms and Conditions for Pocket pet central, Keeping them in the rooms of your home where loud noises cant be heard, Guinea pigs tend to get stressed when they do not have a pattern in their food, drinking, and outdoor timings. Stage #2. Guinea pigs are important animal models for human disease, and both outbred and inbred lines are utilized in biomedical research. Two consecutive weeks with a noticeable hike in weight should probably mean that the piggy is pregnant. Outdoor time, again, with your availability to monitor. 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