guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week

Not knowing how to care for your furry pal when shes pregnant makes the whole thing scary, while knowing all about it makes the news heartening. With your non-dominant hand hold her steady around the shoulders, with her head facing away from you. Make sure hay is freely available at all times, and provide in a large ball the guinea pig can burrow in. Critical Care or a similar product as it is likely you will need it for at least one pup. Another weird yet interesting way to find out pregnancy in guinea pigs is their smell! Try to find a vet who specializes in rodents and other small animals, rather than just a generic vet. The sow should gradually put on weight. Not only does it scare her, but also causes pain due to the pressure put by our arms. They should be kept at the same comfortable temperature as the adults. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during 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! Safety from injury should take precedence over hygiene. Yes, its to know whether she interacted with an unneutered male in recent days.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_19',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Even though a male guinea pig over three weeks of age is capable of causing pregnancy in a female, neutering is advised only after the age of 4 months. Guinea pigs go through four or five estrus cycles every year. Finally, feed your guinea pig high quality hay and pellets throughout its pregnancy. ask a friend or neighbour to check on her. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Breeding a female guinea pig for the first time after she reaches 8 months of age can be very dangerous because of the normal stiffening of the pubic symphysis (a joint of tough fibrous cartilage between the 2 pubic bones of the pelvis) that occurs when the female reaches adulthood. Sows who are too old are at a greater risk of the pelvis not being 'elastic' enough to expand during the birthing process. 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. These pups may die within a few days of birth, or may live for several years. By this time, your pet's pelvic bones will have widened enough to make way for the pups . Next, check your guinea pig's weight, since her weight will almost double during pregnancy. The vitamin C required by a pregnant female is obviously more than that required by one that isnt pregnant. Rough handling may cause miscarriage. I have had her for three years and she has never been around any males but my family and I think she is pregnant because she has a pear shape and she isn't fat. The pups will be able to eat solid food from day one, and the mother will introduce them to new food herself. For example, carrots contain lots of oxalate. How Can You Know if Your Guinea Pig is Pregnant? Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. If you are not certain that the pups are weaned at 21 days, the males should be removed anyway to prevent pregnancy. It will be too stressful for her. The Merck Veterinary Manual was first published in 1955 as a service to the community. By gently running your hand on your guinea pig, you can feel bumps and lumps, which could be because of one of two reasons. [1] Of course, much much cuter! All guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but do not nest specifically because of pregnancy. There will come a time when you'll be able to clearly see the babies moving inside the mother, and even the different parts of their anatomy. So they recover pretty quickly. Males are territorial. Of course, all these are high school zoology concepts. Whilst guinea pigs should never be bred intentionally, coming home from the pet store with a guinea pig who is already pregnant is a common story. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-2','ezslot_9',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-2-0');Sometimes, surgery could be necessary. The ultrasound exam involves involves clipping a small square of fur and applying gel to the exposed skin. 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. Or if it is the bad news version of the lumps, the vet will help with treating it. This prevents an excess of one particular mineral that might be contained in that vegetable. Feed your guinea pig alfalfa hay instead of timothy hay so that she gets more protein and calcium. Also called as parturition in scientific terms, the birth, of course, is the part where the litter is delivered. Never offer the same vegetable two days running. How much depends on the size of the litter, but her weight should never begin fall. But consult with your vet first, just to be on the safer side. Not all guinea pigs are capable of handling the stress of a pregnancy. Reduce handling to a minimum and don't handle her within two weeks of the birth. If I felt my pregnant guinea pig's belly and caused her a miscarriage, what would the signs be? If you let your guard down after one litter being born, without watching the females interaction with un-neutered males, the mother who just delivered a litter could get knocked up once again! they were both female and have been living together. Support wikiHow by This article received 14 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. In long-haired breeds, it gets even worse. This refers to the time between your guinea pig becoming pregnant and its offspring being born. Cavy . "I recently adopted two pigs but realized I would have many more very soon. You vet may also be able to hear the piglets' heartbeats in the sow's abdomen. 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. It is not enough if you understand that. No relationship can survive without understanding. If you need to transport your guinea pig, never pick her up by her stomach as it can harm the unborn guinea pigs and the mother herself. Between 1 and 8 guinea pig babies with 4 being the most common number of guinea pigs per litter. You need to understand that your guinea pig cannot bear the pain of her pregnancy when she gets handled by you. What is the Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs? There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. For the first week, the babies do not actually rely on the mother for food. But when she is, you have no choice but to give nothing less than the perfect. Our professionals are qualified to care for your guinea pig. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. Another sign is a hike in food intake. I did all, "I think that it was great help. What a surprise this was. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). The vet may try to manipulate the piglet into a position where the mother can pass it. Their physical and mental well-being are directly linked to their emotional state. Doing otherwise can cause pregnancy complications or miscarriage. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. ?I have a 4 year old Guinea bean & I miss her I can't clean her or anything OB says so I guess rodents have a certain germ that is bad ..? Symptoms include refusal to eat, lethargy, and rapid weight loss. Be very careful if you need to hold or handle a pregnant guinea pig. This site is run by Anna, Niklas and Jesper - three curious, caring and animal-loving people. She may carry several pups, between one and six, and they're carried in the womb for 58 73 days. To tell if your guinea pig is pregnant, start by observing her eating habits to gauge whether she's eating and drinking more than usual. However, guinea pigs often do not react well to surgery, anesthesia, or being kept in unfamiliar surroundings. Again, it could also be because of fat. One, it could be your baby guinea pigs. HappyPiggies14 Well-known Member. Four read more . Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. 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. If they do mate, I will now. Guinea Pig Vomit: Everything You Need To Know. The towels should be changed at least twice a day. Being wrong about the pregnancy couldnt hurt more than the consequences of neglecting it!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-sky-4','ezslot_23',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-sky-4-0'); There are actual people that I know who neglected the weight gain in their guinea pigs. If you feel something and you're not certain what it is, then consult your veterinarian. Pregnancy for guinea pigs or guinea pig gestation period can last anywhere from 59 days to 72 days, though the average is 65 days. Although, guinea pigs tend to eat extra in cold weather too. When you are sure the birth is over, you can assist the sow in cleaning by removing any stained bedding. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. I told my mom and took her to the vet, and they said she was pregnant. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 . If the weight does not pick up, or a pup does not improve with additional feeding, consult the vet. Your body: During both the first and second trimester, your blood pressure may decrease slightly from its pre-pregnancy number. Because guinea pigs have a high infant mortality rate. X 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. ", all. 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. So having their cagemates with them could be a good choice. 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. When your guinea pigs reach 16 weeks of age, it is the time that they mature significantly. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). X Do not handle her all the time like before. We can understand why a guinea pig would need extra comfort during pregnancy, given that she does not move as much as she used to. 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. Enjoy! A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. If you do decide to have your guinea pig spayed or neutered, seek out a veterinarian who has successfully done a large number of these surgeries. 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