I even have an emergency vet lined up if needed. So we have Janice, Zelma and Possum (looks similar to an Opposum ). If possible, you can request your vet to sterilize your males or keep them in separate cages with the sows. Generally, this happens after the last little one makes its way out. You must be prepared to handle the litter of newborns, and remember that males can impregnate their mothers when they are only three weeks old. You can sense the distance between the bones by gently positioning your finger on the belly just a few centimeters from the anus. At this stage, the sow will appear quite swollen in the midsection. 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. . Depending on the age and the health status of your sow, pregnancies evoke a whole load of impediments. A List of Safe, Healthy Chewables for your CaviesContinue, Are you searching for an awesome guinea-pig-themed gift? Degu Health Problems Common Diseases and Treatments. On the other hand, boars should be at least 34 months old before mating. Every living being grows up and reproduces more of their kind, and so do guinea pigs, but lets find out, how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant? Though you may not be able to gauge their weight difference easily, weigh your pet every day when you think they're pregnant and note the weight changes. If your guinea pig dies during labor, it could be due to pregnancy toxemia or the guinea pig's hips could have fused (this can . 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. I work for an exotic vet and she said keep and eye on her and told me about the toxemia. The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) displays many features of gestational physiology that makes it the most translationally relevant rodent species. Two per week at the most, but one per day is too much. Create your website today. Jane is an advocate for animal welfare and supports organizations dedicated to protecting wildlife. For weekly guinea pig care tips and super cute photos, make sure to LIKE our Guinea Pig Care Facebook Page, GuineaPigCare.com.au was created to pass on the many lessons I've learned owning and caring for guinea pigs since 2007. That's when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. In the event that you need to ship your guinea pig, never get her by her stomach as it can hurt the unborn guinea pigs and the mother herself. Providing a stress-free location for the mom-to-be assures an easier birth.. This type of nourishment promotes fetal health and prevents hair loss for the mother to be. At this time you will be even able to distinguish the body parts of the moving babies by gently touching the belly. Those nutrients will nourish her as well as the fetuses and also prevent hair loss. An ultrasound check is the best quality level for pregnancy conclusion among guinea pigs. A visit to the vet will help determine if your cavy is pregnant. Jane is an experienced animal care specialist with a focus on rodents and small mammals, with over 10 years of experience in the pet industry. Contractions that range from mild (during early labor) to strong (during active labor) Effacementthinning of the cervix. Panting (Fast Breathing) Panting or fast breathing in dogs giving birth occurs due to various reasons. It is very helpful and appreciated. What any professional on the matter will tell you is not to breed your guinea if you are still in the process of making the final decision. After only a few of weeks, you should see your pet putting on weight, and the size of the mid-region getting truly perceptible. If you have previous pregnancy documentation, compare the prior birth experience. How to tell if your sow is pregnant. Note that your guinea requires a balanced diet more than ever. Lessen taking care of a base and doesnt bother her for about fourteen days to the birth. Not at all like in different species, the pressure of taking blood can antagonistically influence the wellbeing of pregnant guinea pigs. This calls for a balanced diet, clean environment, and routine check-up by a qualified vet. A neutered male guinea pig can still impregnate a female. Whether it was planned or not, this post will inform you on what to expect during guinea pig pregnancy, the potential problems, and post-natal care. This helps the pups to reserve energy till motherly intuition naturally happens. The sow licks the babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out. Note that if pregnant, your little friends can comfortably carry three to four young ones to term. Before going into labor some guinea pigs produce grunt sounds. This is easily detectable by squeezing the teats. Typically, breeding reduces the lifespan of female cavies. Cavies were tamed at any rate by 900 BCE and conceivably as right on time as 5000 BCE. Loosening . 5. We'll discuss all the things you need to know about guinea pig pregnancy. 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.. This means that we may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase something through an affiliate link. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months of age. Find out more about the NEW, drastically improved site and forum! Have the details of a small animal vet handy Be prepared. Normal labor should be short and sweet. Vitamin C supplements should be given orally at a regiment of 10 mg a day. Handle the sow with care and never treat her roughly. Alfalfa has extra calcium and protein, both of which she very much needs. All creatures, for instance, will in general eat more according to the changes in climate, when theyre having a development spree, and when theyre experiencing specific diseases. If it helps just a few guinea pigs in the world live a happier and healthier life, then the site has done it's job. If the process isnt over in 30-40 minutes or there is an abnormally large interval between delivered pups one may suspect a problem. 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. As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. Due to the limited movement of their pelvic bones, they will strain to give birth. The new Mom will not act sick. However, if youre still in the process of deciding whether to breed her, then heed our advice to not breed her. alrightywill try that. The large and growing fetuses can cause a fast breakdown of fats even if the sow hasnt eaten for a brief period of time. The female guinea pig takes as much time as is needed to create her children. I researched, stressed, slept . This thing will assist you with moving towards the additional examination. And post pictures of the babies. Guinea Pig Death Process Dead or in Shock. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Lighteninga feeling that the baby has dropped. Joined Jun 13, 2010 Posts 178. . How To Know when a pig is going into labor. The age of the sow plays a huge row in making the decision. There are three stages of the farrowing process; pre-farrowing, farrowing, and after-birth expulsion. During this time the sow needs to be weighed weekly. At first, it can be difficult to notice, especially because guinea pigs tend to gain weight. When a gilt (unbred or first-time mother) or a sow is in heat, she will often show a swollen and red vulva, and/or discharge. You have to rely on a combination of indicators. Guinea pigs eat more when they're pregnant. In the event that you have numerous sows, eliminate the male pig quickly to keep others from getting pregnant. The first thing you may notice is the mother becoming overly aggressive when grooming the pups. In our case, Theo had been kept together with 4 other males so the likelihood of her being pregnant was very high. The early stage consists of the first few days after mating. If you witness any of the signs listed below, get the sow to a cavy knowledgeable vet immediately. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. 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. In these regions, native Americans domesticated them for food. Sows older than 2 years that werent bred before are most at risk. Guinea pig pregnancy week-by-week may sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy parent. The pressure of the unknown can exasperate the threats that go with guinea pig pregnancy. Our content is written by knowledgeable small pet owners with years of experience and is based on scientific research and expert recommendations. She eats those to keep predators from discovering the babies. 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. Negligence and ignorance can prove to be fatal for the mother and the babies. I usually do not interfere. As soon as you suspect a successful mating, supplement the females usual. I would only give one 1 inch cube of fruit per week. Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. Sometimes even surgery must be performed to save the mothers life. She may eat up to the triple measure that she typically eats. The middle stage is up until the seventh week of pregnancy. Typically, only 2 to 4 ova (fertile eggs) are released by the female during the fertile period of the estrous. Great news! Loose-feeling joints. I can feel her pelvis is widening! Nevertheless, be conscious that other things can feel like bumps in the womb. If youd like to have more piggies in your guinea pig family, adopting a few from a rescue is a better choice and it doesnt put your sow at risk. The sow will sit very squarely, and make a "hiccupping" type of motion. If you touch her underbelly a couple of centimeters ahead of the anus, you will be able to feel that the pelvic bones have spread apart. In theory, guinea pigs can give up to 5 litters per year. In common, by the end of a pregnancy, the pregnant guinea pigs load will have doubled; the piglets normally make up more than half of the sows weight. With the use of ultrasound, your vet can also assess potential concerns with the pregnancy. Signs of Pregnancy. Monitor a pregnant sow's behavior closely as delivery date approaches. There is, however, a thin line between sounding heartwarming and scary when people say the words guinea pig pregnancy. Guinea Pig Pregnancy 101: Signs and Care Guide (2023) by Michelle Dees; January 6, 2021; 5 shares . If the sow plays a huge row in making the decision first thing may. Healthy Chewables for your CaviesContinue, are you searching for an exotic and... 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