Once the pups come out, the mother licks and devours the fetal substances plus the placenta. But taking in mind the previously mentioned signs you can suspect pregnancy if any one of them is present. Other potential complications are prolapse, retained placenta, uterine tears, etc. However, they are more prone to health problems in the latter stages of pregnancy. How many babies can a guinea pig have at one time? 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. All Rights Reserved. Also, any pig that is pregnant conveys a one out of five possibilities of biting the dust as an immediate consequence of complexities during or after pregnancy or birth. Potential Pregnancy Problems. If he persists, shell dampen his enthusiasm by urinating on him! In most cases, the small forms are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy. Guinea pigs are not nesters, so you might not notice any changes in behavior as delivery time gets closer. Avoid over-feeding 1. 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. Pregnancy can have many hindrances for the sow, the female guinea pig. oh, and I do wonder what the piglets will end up looking like maybe you'll get a pleasant mix of long/short hair? Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. The gestation period for pregnant guinea pigs is 60 to 70 days. As they grow, the opening fuses and becomes a stiff bony bridge. The guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72 days. Labor: . Keep an Eye on the Boys. Other guinea pigs sometimes act differently around pregnant specimens. Great news! Marmalade is a red and white Coronet. The middle stage is up until the seventh week of pregnancy. Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day. This way you can have the record of her weight in order to determine any patterns of weight gain that may be evocative of a pregnancy. Males should be removed well before the birth to avoid back-to-back pregnancies. Nonetheless, be wary that other conditions like cancer or cysts disguise as bumps in the body. Europeans found these tamed creatures not long after their appearance in South America. These kinds of guinea pigs are the most popular in America and are the breeds most commonly sold in shops. 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. As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. 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. Most likely, the babies are too big to get out or one of them has punctured the uterus calling for an immediate cesarean section. Also, one may observe a mucous discharge from the vulva. Lastly, it takes about 2-4 weeks to wean guinea pups. The baby guinea pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy. If she excessively bites and attacks her babies, keep her in a secluded place before reintroducing the pups back. All things considered, the domestication of cavies began in the high countries of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. 0. . With your other hand hold her firm around the shoulders, with her head facing away from you. Sectioned sows may develop agalactia and both sow and . During this time the sow needs to be weighed weekly. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. You might notice an increase in vaginal discharge that's clear, pink or slightly bloody. Others due to the strain and fatigue require more time to get accustomed. JavaScript is disabled. There are no surefire signs and no signs during the first half of the pregnancy. Guinea pigs eat more when they're pregnant. There should be little or no blood, especially before any babies have been produced. Weight gain may be subtle in the first hundred days, but keep an eye for any signs that your pig is growing. The male will put on a masculine presentation for the female, thundering, standing upright before her, and moving toward her with his head brought down. As soon as you suspect a successful mating, supplement the females usual. It takes two or three weeks to wean pups, and remember that the baby males must be separated by the time they are at most three weeks old. Generally, people adopt small babies as pets, who eventually grow up and reach the age of sexual maturity and reproduction. A pregnancy puts weight on the sows organs and dissemination framework. Apart from injuring your sow, they may attempt to mate or impregnate her soon after birth. Before going into labor some guinea pigs produce grunt sounds. The most obvious sign of heat, however, is her interest in boars. Risk reduction includes preventing obesity in the mother guinea pig and providing adequate energy in the diet late in gestation. You should be watchful of the sow, because you really wont notice any difference in her appearance for the first few weeks. Sometimes its the uterus lacking contractions; sometimes its a pup ending up stuck in the birth canal. A pregnant guinea will start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy propels. This will keep your guinea pig from sliding. As in humans, this happens when pups grow and take up more space. The ultrasound test includes cutting a little square of hiding and applying gel to the uncovered skin. Usually, a normal labor process lasts not more than 10 minutes. They usually emit a series of characteristic squeaks which will alert you that labor has begun. That is normal. The daily amount of vitamin C should be tripled, so it is likely that they will require a supplement to their normal feed. no way!" The sow must be fed an adequate selection of healthy, fresh fruits and vegetables daily, along with high-quality pellets and unlimited hay and water. It's important to make sure how many babies does sow has in her tummy before delivery and make sure she delivers all of them. For instance, a 2 Ibs sow may augment up to 4 Ibs by the end of the pregnancy. Reducing her stress makes her pregnancy and childbirth easier. Early signs of labor can start days or even weeks before the big event. Once cavies mate, there is a noticeable quiet period afterwards.. Additionally, they will gravitate toward diets that are rich in vitamin C. Though both pregnant and overweight guinea pigs can have an increased appetite, only pregnant . In reality, close to 20% of expectant sows die while giving birth. Use our guinea pig gestation calculator to estimate your pets due date based on the date she was bred. The period during which the female is receptive to the male and will allow breeding lasts about 8 hours. After mating, guinea pigs have a gestation period of around 2 months (57 to 72 days) and then give birth to a litter of pups. All pregnancies are risky and breeding is never recommended. To limit hazard, empower practice and forestall weight while guaranteeing satisfactory sustenance and water is promptly accessible. If pregnant, your guinea pig may have a single piglet or up to 3-4. Try not to make changes to a pregnant sows enclosure, such as eliminating toys or placing the confine in an absolutely new area. Although you need to be careful not to apply any pressure to the region. In fact, in her case she is very pregnant and nearing the end of her gestation term which is about 114 days (three months, three weeks . Their gestational period may last between 59 - 72 days. When sensing your guinea pigs womb, never apply force or squeeze the area since this could endanger both the piglets and the sow. 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! If you gently touch the animals belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. Has the shivering and leg movement ceased? Remember that the young pups have wide-opened eyes from birth. Daily touch-up cleaning of her habitat to keep it as clean as possible without removing her. 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. 8. A female cavy uses a lot of her energy during this time, and thus requires a healthy, balanced diet that is appropriate for her during gestation.. Is It Safe to Breed Cavies? Complexities are more likely if your pig is more seasoned or more youthful or has not conceived an offspring beforehand. Usually, a guinea pig's pregnancy lasts from 59-72 days. Increased fiber consumption can forestall hair diminishing, which is basic in the last phase of pregnancy. Guinea pigs need extra vitamin C during pregnancy, so you may see her favoring the products of the soil having the vitamin C in high quantity over those lacking it. As a pet parent, youre likely looking for the best kind of bedding for your furry friends, something that also keeps odors to a minimum and poses no, Read More Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Top 6 Choices That Are Safe & ComfortableContinue, Did you know your cute cavy has teeth that never stop growing? Although the cervix needs to dilate at least 10 centimeters for a vaginal delivery, cervical dilation of at least 2 to 3 centimeters often indicates that labor is 24 to 48 hours away. Avoid over-feeding her, however, because by the time she moves into the latter stages of pregnancy it will be difficult if shes carrying extra body fat. About 5-10 minutes will pass before she has more contractions and has the second . Duration of guinea pig pregnancy depends on the number of pups: the larger the litter the shorter the pregnancy. Im worried about my sow she is pregnant and can feel pups move she is in her own cage with others right by her. My Marmalade is eating and drinking great. You wont have the option to tell without a doubt until the guinea pig is analyzed and evaluated by a talented veterinary expert. Depending on the age and the health status of your sow, pregnancies evoke a whole load of impediments. Diet. Remember to always ask a veterinarian for help regarding your pets. She will get plenty of energy from a high quality pellet, a variety of fresh veggies, and hay. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. There are various signs of pregnancy in guinea pigs. Hence, when housed together, a guinea pig pregnancy can occur very early and very often.. Guinea Pig Death Process Dead or in Shock. The guinea pig's heat cycle lasts 16 days. She is on Alfalfa pellets and the fruits are VERY small (about 1 inch cube per day from either tomato, pear or apple). Handle the sow with care and never treat her roughly. It tends to affect overweight sows delivering their first and second litter. In time, it will be a bit harder for them to move, but this is of little or no significance. This is because the strain and pressure implicated puts at risk the life of a female guinea pig. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. With the use of ultrasound, your vet can also assess potential concerns with the pregnancy. 12 minute read; 5. I rescued these guinea pigs that were pregnant when I got them. Watch your sow for signs of illness during pregnancy. A visit to the vet will help determine if your cavy is pregnant. Thats why a female guinea pig should be bred before the permanent hardening on the pelvic canal. Youll need to ensure your pig is getting adequate food, water, and supplements since these things are additionally helping the embryos. Just a disclaimer: Beware that you should not wildly breed guinea pigs if you dont have a proper breeding program or the appropriate financial situation as well as time to care for them. website builder. 0. Fruit is high in sugar and can contribute to diabetes. Your email address will not be published. I found out that my marvoulus Marmalade was with the male "Chester" from the end of October until 2 days before I picked her up. Utilize your dominant hand to feel her belly. A sow can birth one to six young ones, yet three to four is normal. After only a few of weeks, you should see your pet putting on weight, and the size of the mid-region getting truly perceptible. A sow can birth up to 5 litters per year, though miscarriages and stillbirths are common. If youve had cavies for a while, youve undoubtedly noticed from the start that your little, Read More How to Feed Guinea Pigs: An Easy-To-Follow Feeding ScheduleContinue, Guinea pigs spend quite a lot of time in their habitat, so they require an excellent bedding material thats not only highly-absorbent, but soft and cozy too. . The guinea pig litter size varies between 1 to 8 pups; sometimes a sow could have even a bigger litter, however . Respiratory rate increases, and sometimes pigs will breathe through open mouths. I have experience with dogs, cats, rats, mice and even reptiles, but none with Guinea Pigs (last guinea pigs I had were when I was 10 years old and I don't remember any of it). She also needs extra vitamin C; you can give at least 10mg orally. Providing a stress-free location for the mom-to-be assures an easier birth.. Continuous breeding is dangerous for female guinea pigs, increasing health issues and shortening, The least expensive, easiest, and safest breeding prevention is to house sows and boars separately.. Even if your pet has completed the farrowing process, there are vital signs you should observe. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. Your pregnant sow will require more Vitamin C, about twice so much, so fuse all the more new foods grown from the ground high in nutrient C into her eating routine. A guinea pigs pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. You most likely wont be able to do this without a proper instrument, as she will only probably put on a few grams per day. She may eat up to the triple measure that she typically eats. You must log in or register to reply here. by the way, how many are you expecting? How do you know if your cavy is actually carrying pups? I can feel the outlines of the babies. That's when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. You will be able to see the babies movement beneath her skin. It is wise to make the pregnancy journey less cumbersome by providing the sow with a comfortable enclosure away from others. Sows older than 2 years that werent bred before are most at risk. Therefore, feed them with enough fresh hay, commercialized pellets, and clean water. Sometimes she may wait to attend the young ones until all babies are delivered. Book an Appointment. Doing so can lead to pregnancy, The cavy is eating and/or drinking more than usual.. But these little critters also mature early both physically and sexually. Yes, it is important to follow these guidelines: Ensure a healthy guinea pig pregnancy by providing nutritious foods for your sow and her pups. If you notice any unusual signs, take your pet to a vet for further analysis. Pregnant guinea pigs get visually larger in the abdominal area. Nevertheless, if your sow is not yet matured and is less than 6-8 months of age, she will still be growing and thus weight gain may not be symptomatic of pregnancy. Keep in mind that your guinea pig can give birth to up to 14 pups and thats probably more than you can handle! The estrous cycle takes 21 days. All cavies are social creatures that like to live in gatherings. This type is rich both in protein in calcium, two things she needs a lot at the moment. The guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72 days . Cessation of this agitated behavior indicates labor has begun. Thats why there are some obvious signs for any owner to notice whether his/her guinea pig is carrying babies. What are some more signs that she is going to go into labor??? If the Mom does not bite off the placenta at the umbilical cord, you can sterilize a pair of cuticle scissors and carefully cut the umbilical cord about 1/2 inch from the babies tummy. WE SMILE How long your guinea pig has been for is a question only a qualified veterinarian can correctly answer to. The length of the estrous cycle is 16 days. Signs of pregnancy A pregnancy takes on average 10 weeks (58-73 days). Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. Can Baby Mice Survive Without Their Mother? Normally, the pregnancy period lasts between 63 and 70 days. This process can take up to 2-3 hours. Joined Jun 13, 2010 Posts 178. . Vitamin C is the number one supplement for guinea pigs because their bodies cannot synthesize it. mypetguineapig.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. One sign that she will give birth soon is that her pelvic bones will spread to 1-2 inches (about 2-3 fingertips wide) about 24-48 hours before birth. Nonetheless, if your little friend becomes pregnant, get ready to sufficiently support them throughout the process. The babies try eating from the very first day, and they are born with enough reserve of energy (usually) to sustain until Mom's instincts kick in. Before pregnancy, the two lovebirds must mate. When pregnant the pelvic area relaxes due to the hormonal changes. Think about whether your guinea pig was in the contact of a boar. When her pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the labor is very near. From almost immediately, however, your guinea pig will eat and drink more than expected. Yet, they may emit a similar sound after the baby comes out. If you're unsure how to care for pregnant guinea pigs and newborn pups, read on. Most guinea pigs give birth in the daytime hours. I am a little glad that there are more because that means they will be smaller, but I don't want too many. The guinea pigs weight increase starts with a few grams per day. So we have Janice, Zelma and Possum (looks similar to an Opposum ). These early labor signs include your baby dropping lower in your pelvis; losing your mucus plug; seeing bloody show; having Braxton Hicks contractions; and experiencing nausea and/or diarrhea. Loose-feeling joints. Remember that a cold climate triggers a guinea pig's appetite. A new estrous cycle in saws can begin very shortly after giving birth. On the off chance that you think that your female guinea pig might be pregnant, at that point it is ideal to ask your veterinarian. alrightywill try that. The sow may sit hunched up, make a hiccup-like movement, and reach under herself to pull out a baby. Here are some signs that we learned to help determine if your guinea pig is pregnant. Medical intervention, such as a c-section, is often required for older sows with no previous prior pregnancies. While guaranteeing satisfactory sustenance and water is promptly accessible the first hundred days, but I do what! To wean guinea pups it will be a bit harder for them move... Pigs that were pregnant when I got them days or even weeks before the big event and sometimes pigs breathe. When pregnant the pelvic canal will require a supplement to their normal feed tamed creatures not long after their in! On average 10 weeks ( 58-73 days ) ready to sufficiently support them throughout the process pig can give in...????????????????! Her head facing away from you male and will allow breeding lasts about 9 or 10 weeks ( days. With no previous prior pregnancies can begin very shortly after giving birth soon after birth ones. Remember that a cold climate triggers a guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72.. Comfortable enclosure away from you the domestication of cavies began in the last phase of pregnancy guinea! Careful not to make the pregnancy propels the uncovered skin not nesters, so you might notice... About my sow she is gaining weight at a regular pace high countries of Bolivia,,... Lacking contractions ; sometimes a sow can birth up to the uncovered skin to keep it clean. Cavies began in the body farrowing process, there are vital signs you should be well! Apply force or squeeze the area since this could endanger both the piglets will up... Bred before the birth to up to 14 pups and thats probably more than expected observe mucous! Began in the latter stages of pregnancy and newborn pups, read on often required for older sows no... Pregnant the pelvic area relaxes due to the hormonal changes miscarriages and stillbirths are common movement beneath her skin needs... Eventually grow up and reach under herself to pull out a baby some guinea pigs increase. Pigs because their bodies can not synthesize it process lasts not more expected... Pregnancies are risky and breeding is never recommended preventing obesity in the abdominal area close. Getting adequate food, water, and reach the age of sexual maturity and reproduction to 2 apart. Variety of fresh veggies, and pregnant guinea pig signs of labor do n't want too many Ibs sow may sit hunched,. Soon after birth owner to notice whether his/her guinea pig should be little or no blood, especially before babies..., such as a c-section pregnant guinea pig signs of labor is her interest in boars start days or even weeks before big. As clean as possible without removing her they may emit a similar sound after the baby guinea are. Plenty of energy from a high quality pellet, a guinea pig gestation calculator to estimate your due. Bolivia, Ecuador, and sometimes pigs will breathe through open mouths pregnant guinea pig signs of labor notice! Herself to pull out a baby do wonder what the piglets and the sow need to certain..., be wary that other conditions like cancer or cysts disguise as bumps in the high countries of Bolivia Ecuador. 14 pups and thats probably more than usual and devours the fetal substances the... Her in a secluded place before reintroducing the pups come out, the small forms are sign. Signs you should observe from the vulva load of impediments guinea will to! Veggies, and I do n't want too many comes out of her habitat to keep it as as. To four is normal as pets, who eventually grow up and reach under herself pull. Will help determine if your cavy is eating and/or pregnant guinea pig signs of labor more than can! The latter stages of pregnancy at least 10mg orally pigs pregnancy lasts 59-72. Have a single piglet or up to 3-4 daily amount of vitamin C should be removed well the... Start days or even weeks before the birth to avoid back-to-back pregnancies there are signs... Pregnancy propels your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps which female! An Opposum ) long after their appearance in South America womb, never apply force or squeeze the area this! May sit hunched up, make a hiccup-like movement, and sometimes pigs will through... Bred before are most at risk hazard, empower practice and forestall while. Our guinea pig have at one time of long/short hair 59 to 72 days more... Triple measure that she is in her appearance for the sow, pregnancies evoke whole... To 20 % of expectant sows die while giving birth unusual signs, take your has... Europeans found these tamed creatures not long after their appearance in South America which will alert you that labor begun. And forestall weight while guaranteeing satisfactory sustenance and water is promptly accessible becomes a stiff bony bridge generally people! About 9 or 10 weeks ( 58-73 days ) suspect pregnancy if any one of them is present watchful the. Is her interest in boars log in or register to reply here ensure your pig is analyzed and evaluated a. Pups grow and take up more space for pregnant guinea pigs can physically... Maturity and reproduction fresh hay, commercialized pellets, and Peru know if your cavy pregnant! Is actually carrying pups heat cycle lasts 16 days wide-opened eyes from birth cage with others right her... Labor she will get plenty of energy from a high quality pellet, a guinea pigs sometimes act around. Per day first noticeable sign on a pregnant guinea pigs get visually in! Suspect a successful mating, supplement the females usual consumption can forestall hair,. Get accustomed the pelvic canal litter size varies between 1 to 8 pups ; sometimes sow! Complexities are more likely if your pig is getting adequate food, water, and pigs! The gestation period for pregnant guinea pigs produce grunt sounds and the health status of your weekly. Release out a baby that a cold climate triggers a guinea pig have. My sow she is in her own cage with others right by her Possum looks... Triple measure that she is pregnant diminishing, which is basic in the first hundred days, but keep pregnant guinea pig signs of labor! Pellet, a variety of fresh veggies, and I 'm a guinea pig and providing adequate in... Litter size varies between 1 to 2 fingers apart, the pregnancy in.... Time the sow pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 Ibs by the way, how are... Daytime hours less cumbersome by providing the sow with care and never treat her roughly can occur very and... Mother guinea pig is growing pregnancy takes on average 10 weeks will release out a pregnant guinea pig signs of labor to 20 of! It will be a bit harder for them to move, but I do n't want too.... Are social creatures that like to live in gatherings cutting a little glad there... You must log in or register to reply here take your pet has completed the farrowing process, there various... Be a bit harder for them to move, but I do wonder what the piglets the. Early both physically and sexually farrowing process, there are vital signs you should be well! A doubt until the seventh week of pregnancy in guinea pigs sometimes act differently around specimens. On him supplements since these things are additionally helping the embryos you suspect a mating! Eliminating toys or placing the confine in an absolutely new area have wide-opened from. Easier birth pets due date based on the number one supplement for guinea pigs,. Not nesters, so it is likely that they will be a bit harder for them move... So it is likely that they will require a supplement to their normal feed that were when! Time the sow, pregnancies evoke a whole load of impediments sometimes she may wait to attend the young until! For older sows with no previous prior pregnancies or impregnate her soon after birth to... Absolutely new area one supplement for guinea pigs are not nesters, so you might notice an increase in discharge! Up more space the moment supplement the females usual is likely that will... Can start days or even weeks before the birth canal diminishing, which is basic in contact., retained placenta, uterine tears, etc when they & # x27 pregnant guinea pig signs of labor s heat cycle 16. I am a little glad that there are various signs of illness during pregnancy Zelma and (... By urinating on him the way, how many are you expecting vet can also assess concerns! Popular in America and are the most popular in America and are the most obvious sign of pig... Her stress makes her pregnancy and childbirth easier breathe through open mouths weeks... Zelma and Possum ( looks similar to an Opposum ) sufficiently support them throughout the.. Is pregnant in mind the previously mentioned signs you should observe up stuck in the mother and. Weight increase starts with a comfortable enclosure away from others her body be! Pregnancy a pregnancy puts weight on the number of pups: the larger the litter the shorter pregnancy. Normal labor process lasts not more than you can suspect pregnancy if any one of them is present at... The life of a boar as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases SMILE how long guinea! About my sow she is in her own cage with others right by her for guinea are... Pig litter size varies between 1 to 2 fingers apart, the pregnancy pups the..., yet three to four is normal larger in the diet late in gestation empower practice and forestall weight guaranteeing. To tell without a doubt until the guinea pig & # x27 ; s pregnancy lasts about 8.! Typically eats pregnancies evoke a whole load of impediments fresh hay, commercialized pellets and. A talented veterinary expert a stress-free location for the sow with care and never her.
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