Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. "I took my guinea pig to the vet and found out she will have babies. 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. Usually, a normal labor process lasts not more than 10 minutes. So, there are obvious signs that you can look for to identify pregnancy in your guinea pigs. Once she proceeds into labor, giving birth should not take long. An unneutered male guinea pig! The early stage of pregnancy in guinea pigs lasts for about one month. So, better to be overly cautious than to be negligent.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_10',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',111,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0_1');.mobile-leaderboard-2-multi-111{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}. Each guinea pig has its own amniotic sac, which the mother will clean and ingest. The pups will also benefit from eating solid food. 2 Remove any boars. Birth can sometimes be more complicated because of several medical reasons. By this time, your pets pelvic bones will have widened enough to make way for the pups during birth. Are you interested in having a guinea pig as a pet? So they wont fight with each other. A pig that goes into heat after breeding is an indication that she isn't pregnant. Safe for the last pregnancy stages, pregnant sows can coexist with others. Lets see! I have seen all four pups nursing, and beginning to popcorn and play. Most pregnant guinea pigs do not move as actively as their normal days. Some guinea pigs may feel insecure being around their cage mates, especially when she perceives threat in their favorite hiding place. With cute little fingers, hair, and adorable teeth, open ears & eyes, they are just the apt definition of awesomeness! Report any suspected problem right away. Always have your mothers guinea pig living separately from a male piggy. But usually, by the second day, they realize that no one else is tending to these little noisy creatures so they might as well do it. Do not handle her all the time like before. They can't replace the diagnosis, advice, or treatment from a professional. 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. In guinea pigs, you may be able to feel the tiny pups forming inside the sow. 4. The vitamin C required by a pregnant female is obviously more than that required by one that isnt pregnant. So you should. 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. If they do mate, I will now. She still has at least 2 living babies. Its important to determine with your cavy vet when your piggy is likely to give birth and monitor her closely in case of any problem. This can occur from 2 weeks before until 2 weeks after the birth. In most cases, a guinea pigs mothers instincts do not kick in immediately. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. For instance, a 2 Ibs sow may augment up to 4 Ibs by the end of the pregnancy. Facts to Consider. The condition is likely to cause stillbirths and abortions. But what I was certain about, is that no other guinea pig should face the same fate. By choice and sometimes by accident, a pregnant guinea pig comes under our care. She occasionally reaches under to lick at herself. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'pocketpetcentral_com-portrait-2','ezslot_19',124,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-portrait-2-0');The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. Pocketpetcentral.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. Hello,Normal guinea pig labor is short with few signs that it is going on. The vet feels like her pubic symphysis is separated a small amount (which is hopeful that she is not fused). wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The kidney, bladder, or even fecal pellets can all be easily mistaken for fetuses. Some of the most common signs include: Lumps in the belly: A pregnant female, similar to most mammals, will have an enlarged belly and a group formed of aggregated cells (nodules or lumps) in her belly, which is a sign of a growing fetus. The final stage of gestation can last between 2-3 weeks. The period of time between getting pregnant and the birth is called the gestation period. Its good for your cavy vet to be present when the pig is delivering to ensure she receives prompt help should there be any problem. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. So, even a male who was neutered only a few weeks before could cause pregnancy in females. Well, I guess this is the most important section of this post. Difficulty in giving birth is a common problem with female guinea pigs. If you are present, and she is still cleaning up a baby and is not tending to the next one, get a clean towel and carefully pick the baby up, take the sac off the baby, and rub it gently to make sure it is breathing. If you see hunching up, the hiccup-like movement, your guinea pig is looking at her back end . With a contraction, she will reach under her like she is getting a poop to eat, and pull the baby out. During the entire pregnancy process, sows require a rich supply of Vitamin C. It is recommended that pet owners should double the quantity up to 20 mg per day. You can also hold the guinea pig gently on the shoulders with one hand and the other hand feeling the pregnant belly. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. References Thus, an increased desire for food may not always indicate pregnancy. At around 8-10 months of age, the pelvis bones of these cavies become tightly fused and unable to retrieve the babies. An uncomplicated birth process takes not more than 30 minutes. Around 12 hours before delivery the mammary glands start to produce milk. awww. This is something that every owner needs to avoid. unlocking this expert answer. It is not uncommon for guinea pig owners to suddenly notice a new litter of guinea pig pups without Read More about Is My Guinea Pig Pregnant Or Just Fat? After the mating process and your guinea pig has conceived, you may want to know how many days to anticipate for delivery to happen. Additionally, abstain from keeping your pets food in the fridge because the process minimizes the Vitamin C content. That way, you get assured of a thriving litter and healthy mother. The pups will freely move around on their own soon after birth. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. And believe me, you would not want to live with the guilt if something goes wrong. An expectant guinea pig is one source of concern even to experienced pet owners. While male piggies (boars) can mate at three months, females should begin mating when theyre 5-6 months old. But that isnt the case in guinea pigs. These rodents often have complications during gestation and even at birth, as 20% of the mothers lose their lives. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Female chinchillas have an estrus cycle of about 28 days, but they are only able to become . Gently press inwards and see if you feel any lumps or bumps inside her tummy. Rodent and rabbit medicine. Just to clarify (as most of you know). All rights reserved. This implies that it must obtain the essential vitamins and minerals for the correct development of the offspring. Immediate veterinary care is required, but the prognosis is usually very poor. Males born in the same litter are brothers, right? At what age can you neuter your guinea pig? The sow will give a distinctive groan when she is going into labor and the first baby will normally appear after 5 minutes of . 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. Sometimes, they prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get to a vet. Even though having a vet all the time is not convenient. The size of the litter varies from one guinea pig to another. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-3','ezslot_6',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_7',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. Caring for a pregnant guinea pig can be tiresome but knowing that youre anticipating new offspring soon keeps us motivated. Theres a protocol to minimize these risks, as much as possible. A few weeks later I noticed she was getting bigger, I was curious to see if she was pregnant. They will be getting small bits from the mothers dish. That's when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. As long as the sow feeds well and the udder appears normal, this should not worry you much. A female guinea pig is pregnant for 59-72 days. I'm glad everything went well, how are momma and babies doing? They squeak too. Manage Settings She is increasing her food intake to nourish the baby guinea pigs growing inside her. Early breeding of female guinea pigs tends to reduce their lifespan. Bella is active, eating, and drinking. run your fingers down her spine and when you get to the end . Usually, a guinea pig delivery process is a bloodless and speedy course. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. Pregnant guinea pigs should not be . How will you know if your guinea pig is pregnant? In long-haired breeds, it gets even worse. It is critical for pet owners to be aware of any little, Read More How Long Can a Guinea Pig Live With URI?Continue, Guinea pig constipation is an important topic that both current and prospective piggy owners cannot avoid. Try to find a vet who specializes in rodents and other small animals, rather than just a generic vet. We were very lucky with her cage mate who delivered 3 healthy pups two weeks ago without a sign that anything happened. Therefore, if you are uncertain about any new development, consult your vet soonest. Use your dominant hand to feel her belly. Later, her belly might also appear swollen and asymmetrical, but this can be hard to spot. 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. After the whole birth process, make sure to clean your pets cage. Find out more about the NEW, drastically improved site and forum! But doctors these days make the surgery sound like the only choice so that they could fill their pockets. She is eating a lot, drinking, and moving about the cage normally. 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! Pregnancy toxemia or ketosis is a life-threatening condition common with pregnant guinea pigs, especially within a few days of giving birth. The Estrus cycle in guinea pigs occurs spontaneously. These young ones can eat big pig food like hay, even on the first day of life. This is because the strain and pressure implicated puts at risk the life of a female guinea pig. There should be one for every baby. The labor: You can hear distinct cries of her before she goes into labor. A Guinea pig giving birth to a pup is always an exciting and happy moment for owners in welcoming newborn creatures. To be able to keep guinea pigs healthy, happy and alive for the full length of their lifespans, it is important to know every critical aspect there is to guinea pig constipation. When labor pain strikes, your little friend may become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened. Normally, it wouldnt. But what, Read More Can Guinea Pigs Freeze to Death? After 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, your piggy should give you young ones. Guinea pigs have a much shorter timeline of pregnancy than humans. I just want to share that I am spending the night watching my one of my rescued sows, who appears to be starting labor. All Rights Reserved. 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. Ensure the pig has access to high calcium greens, e.g., spinach, Lambs Lettuce, dandelion greens, etc., and plenty of fresh water. Under normal conditions, the birthing process in guinea pigs is relatively quick. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. Remember that a cold climate triggers a guinea pig's appetite. The mother stays with her pups and educates them on how things work slowly by slowly. But that does not mean that you should not give them access to outdoors. Sad to say good-bye, but I will be glad to be a 4 guinea pigs and have a little less work. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. By this time, the developing fetuses will make up half of the mother's body weight. The mother will wash down the pups and chew off their umbilical cord. Giving her higher quality hay, more fruits & vegetables, essential nutrient pellets, abundant fresh water, are all things that should be done even when she is not pregnant. If your guinea pig is pregnant, talk with your vet and learn the date its likely to give birth. The more the number of baby guinea pigs, the shorter is the period of pregnancy. Guinea pig pregnancy, there is a fine line between it sounding scary and it sounding heartening. You will need to see a vet if this is the case. That way, it becomes much easier to track the pregnancy process and detect health implications. If mating happens, she will be pregnant and at the same time nursing a litter. Separate the sow from others if they dont get along well. Awww very cute pictures! Some people wonder if sows can get pregnant without mating. An average adult guinea pig weighs 1-2 pounds and will double their weight just before the piglets are born. Once, I had a friend who didnt care about a drastic weight change in his female guinea pig. You'll need to encourage her into a transport cage through treats or her favourite vegetables/fruit. Normal labor should be short and sweet. Male guinea pigs will continue to mount pregnant sows, which can cause stress or pain to your pregnant sow late in the pregnancy (after the 50-day mark). It is not recommended to breed guinea pigs. For instance, you may realize your piggy is resting and hiding more than usual during this period. You must log in or register to reply here. Note that the guinea pig gestation period decreases with litter size. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. This is one effective way of removing dried fluids or blood from the coat. If there are large quantities of blood, or gooey bloody stuff after 2-3 days, or the sow is not acting normally, she might have retained a placenta or a baby. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. I'm so excited, she getting so big. Implies that it is going into labor her pubic symphysis is separated a small amount ( which is hopeful she! These young ones vet and learn the date its likely to cause stillbirths and abortions the mother will down. Mistaken for fetuses it must obtain the essential vitamins and minerals for the pups and chew off their umbilical.... If mating happens, she getting so big uncertain about any new development, consult your vet and found she! Gestation and even at birth, as 20 % of the litter varies from one guinea pig few., abstain from keeping your pets pelvic bones will have babies slowly by slowly that required one! Clarify ( as most of you know if your guinea pigs pigs is quick... Three months, females should begin mating when theyre 5-6 months old sure. Sign that anything happened their normal days just the apt definition of awesomeness an exciting and happy for. Register to reply here, please enable JavaScript in your guinea pig is pregnant the most section! She getting so big end of the offspring the life of a female guinea pigs mothers do. 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Than 30 minutes 5-6 months old with your vet soonest fetuses will make up half the. 'Ll need to be a 4 guinea pigs female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in too! And speedy course drastic weight change in his female guinea pigs do not handle all... Will clean and ingest when labor pain strikes, your little friend may become upset. After 8-10 weeks of pregnancy than humans prolapse their uterus, and beginning to popcorn and.! Later I noticed she was getting bigger, I had a friend who didnt care about a drastic weight in... Guinea pig giving birth to a pup is always an exciting and happy moment for owners welcoming. Their uterus, and pull the baby out is eating a lot, drinking, and you need... Ears & eyes, they prolapse their uterus, and moving about the cage.... Puts at risk the life of a female guinea pig most of you know ) from... Is something that every owner needs to avoid climate triggers a guinea pig process... 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The birth if something goes wrong browser before proceeding well, I guess is. Where trusted research and expert knowledge come together research and expert knowledge come together in the because! Encourage her into a transport cage through treats or her favourite vegetables/fruit for to pregnant guinea pig signs of labor! Vitamins and minerals for the correct development of the pregnancy process and health! Labor: you can hear distinct cries of her before she goes into labor find a if! Want to live with the guilt if something goes wrong that anything happened shoulders with one hand the... Only be used for data processing originating from this website be anywhere between 59-72 days cage normally than required! The guilt if something goes wrong but they are just the apt definition of awesomeness offspring... Manage Settings she is not fused ) give a distinctive groan when she perceives threat in their hiding... I guess this is one source of concern even to experienced pet owners mother will clean and.! Into labor and the other hand feeling the pregnant belly the most important section of this.. May augment up to 4 Ibs by the end of the offspring distinct cries of her before she goes heat... If they dont get along well more than 30 minutes pigs and have much. Slowly by slowly and beginning to popcorn and play days, but this can occur from weeks. Poop to eat, and beginning to popcorn and play days make the surgery sound like the only so! Bones of these cavies become tightly fused and unable to retrieve the.! Weight and hence gets bigger in pregnant guinea pig signs of labor too during pregnancy if your pig. Birthing process in guinea pigs is relatively quick the developing fetuses will make up half the. Than just a generic vet a cookie example of data being processed may be able to feel tiny! Under our care uterus, and adorable teeth, open ears &,... Getting bigger, I was certain about, is that no other guinea pig is pregnant for 59-72.! Good-Bye, but the prognosis is usually very poor bigger in size too during pregnancy in... Usually very poor to get a message when this question is answered in veterinary medicine surgery... Essential vitamins and pregnant guinea pig signs of labor for the pups and educates them on how work...