She died along with the litter. Pregnancy is likely to change the behaviors of your guinea pig. Be especially careful around the newborns eyes, as they are normally wide open, and you can scratch the cornea. Whether pregnant or not, it is wise to monitor the weight of your pets. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. But compromising on the perfection of those necessities wont cause much immediate trouble when she is not pregnant. They may also have difficulty . Joined Jun 13, 2010 Posts 178. . Remember that a cold climate triggers a guinea pigs appetite. You are using an out of date browser. An expectant guinea pig is one source of concern even to experienced pet owners. So, I took her to the vet. What is the one thing that could get a guinea pig pregnant? Some owners are uncertain about their guinea pig being pregnant until they see a vet. When your pig is in labor, you will notice her sitting in the corner of the cage, appearing motionless, and sometimes distances herself from you. If you see your sow bleeding, more than a tablespoon, dripping blood, or many pieces of bloody bedding with no babies, you are best advised to get to a vet. Usually, the mother delivers her pups, wash them down, chew their umbilical cord off, and nurses them. Usually, a guinea pig's pregnancy lasts from 59-72 days. Diet. Bear in mind that for pups less than eight old, weight gain is a normal sign of growth. For instance, you may realize your piggy is resting and hiding more than usual during this period. A female guinea pig is pregnant for 59-72 days. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Mama is shrinking in size and babies are growing fast. Since guinea pigs attain sexual maturity as early as 6 weeks in their life, even young guinea pigs are bound to get pregnant. . Then the male started trying to jump over the female. My name is Anna and I work full time in my local pet shop where we sell many animals that I write about on this site. Guinea pigs giving a birth is a fantastic moment. Performing a C-section will be the only solution to remove the babies. That indicates that your guinea pig is pregnant. And hand those records to your vert during his weekly visit so that he can comprehend the situation in hand better. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Another way to tell is if the guinea pig starts to gain weight - this usually happens towards the end of the pregnancy. They will be getting small bits from the mothers dish. How Can You Know How Far Along Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy is? Giving them their favorite toys and treats. For different stages of progress, there are different medicines, food supplies, the quantity of food and water, and more! I WILL interfere if she is biting the babies, or attacking them. But it is quite the opposite. So, the first step in knowing if your guinea pig is pregnant? The average number of pups per litter is 3, but litters of up to 14 have been seen. the smaller the litter, the longer the pregnancy). She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. You may think that personal hygiene of your guinea pig is important during pregnancy. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_9',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) can be a helpful natural contraceptive in case of humans for a brief period after the birth of a child. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. If you are a woman reading this I bet that you are thinking thank god there aint anything like that in humans!. 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-netboard-1','ezslot_15',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-1-0'); There are actual people that I know who neglected the weight gain in their guinea pigs. Pregnant guinea pigs should not be . The Estrus cycle in guinea pigs occurs spontaneously. So, if your sow gives you two, three, or four pups, its still a good sign, and the pig is okay. If you feel something and you're not certain what it is, then consult your veterinarian. If several fetuses are present, you will feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a similar size. While male piggies (boars) can mate at three months, females should begin mating when theyre 5-6 months old. He never thought of the idea that his pet was pregnant. My guinea pig is a female American guinea pig. For that reason, breeding your fuzzy friend should be a well-thought affair. I have had sows deliver at night, and by morning you would never know she had babies except there are little pigs in the cage! No specific sign . If you are present, you can help her out by removing some of the placentas and some of the soiled bedding. The sow will give a distinctive groan when she is going into labor and the first baby will normally appear after 5 minutes of . It happens when you have no idea your piggy pet is expectant, and it catches you by surprise by giving birth. I have actually found a home for all of the babies, and C&C cages are being built for all of them. After all, we know that they can handle quite a bit of fluctuation in temperature and survive things like hailstorms and hurricanes. This is easily detectable by squeezing the teats. Stress is one of the most common reasons for death in guinea pigs, during pregnancy no less! Symptoms include refusal to eat, lethargy, and rapid weight loss. In the later stages of the pregnancy, after the seventh week or past 49-50 days, you will notice that your guinea pig's abdomen appears large. Guinea pigs, even when not pregnant, are vulnerable to mood swings. I love all animals and love writing about them. The pig loses appetite and seems depressed. You will also be able to feel the pups inside the mother's belly. They can't replace the diagnosis, advice, or treatment from a professional. If your guinea pig gives birth longer than this or shows s signs of struggling, she needs immediate attention from a veterinarian, as they frequently require assistance when giving . Their heat cycle lasts for an average of 16 days, meaning they can come in and out of heat after every 1-2 weeks. Mom's can, and are, very vigorous in cleaning up these babies! Such a piggy turns out to be defensive or territorial towards others. Difficulty in giving birth is also common if guinea pigs are bred late. Make sure you monitor your guinea pigs weight every week. Sooner when the motherly impulse slowly sinks in, they may take up their maternal role. Moreover, neutering does not take immediate effect. Then there is a point when her hips begin to spread to allow the passing of the babies down the birth channel. However, pregnancy preparation begins even before the pig is bred. Diseases such as toxemia are caused easily in pregnant females. That is normal. There should be one for every baby. So I am morally obligated to answer it. Assist your piggy by removing the birth sac from the babies head and body. Another weird yet interesting way to find out pregnancy in guinea pigs is their smell! Immediate veterinary care is required, but the prognosis is usually very poor. Guinea pigs need additional vitamin C during pregnancy, so you might see her favor fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C over those lacking it. Moms may continue to spot for up to 4-5 days after delivery, although 1-2 is more normal. Its that period when you need to focus on caring for your pregnant guinea pig. Thus, an increased desire for food may not always indicate pregnancy. All rights reserved. You dont know when the pig got pregnant and still have no clue of its delivery date. 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. Therefore, feed them with enough fresh hay, commercialized pellets, and clean water. The afterbirth will be a round flat bloody object ranging in size from a nickel to a quarter. Guinea pig's pregnancy only lasts between 59-72 days. Even if your pet has completed the farrowing process, there are vital signs you should observe. Symptoms and Types Bleeding from the uterus/vagina Discomfort/pain Extended straining during labor without actually delivering the fetus Part of the fetus may be seen at the vaginal canal, but the labor does not progress Expected due date comes and goes Causes And the babies? Progesterone production undergoes a luteal to placental shift as in human pregnancy with levels rising during gestation and with labor and delivery occurring without a precipitous decline in maternal progesterone levels. If you see hunching up, the hiccup-like movement, your guinea pig is looking at her back end . I'm glad everything went well, how are momma and babies doing? Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day. If conception is successful, there are many indicators of pregnancy. Alfalfa hay has higher nutritional elements and is helpful for pregnant and nursing guinea pigs. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 450,304 times. Sometimes, other female piggies on heat may pose a great risk due to hormonal changes. . However, some guinea pigs will exhibit zero indications. Publisher: Pergamon, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/aid666376-v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"