Only this way, serious delivery problems can be avoided. In both cases, your pet needs to be seen by a vet. Mother starts making "extreme" stress calls, Mother seems to give in, appearing exhausted, Excessive bleeding (more than a tablespoon). A new estrous cycle in saws can begin very shortly after giving birth. Is your sow pregnant? Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. If the weight does not pick up, or a pup does not improve with additional feeding, consult the vet. Negligence and ignorance can prove to be fatal for the mother and the babies. Enjoy! Thats because those tiny, adorable feet are just so tiny! "We just found out that one of our guinea pigs is male and the other is pregnant! My guinea pig is pregnant, and I'm worried she might be sick. If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to get to a vet. How Long Are Guinea Pigs Pregnant? Luckily, the stages of a successful pregnancy are predictable and consistent, making caring for your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward. Research source Pet stores also often house both sexes together, and some breeders do not separate the sexes early enough so it is possible the sow was already pregnant when you bought her. What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. Inversely, the longer the pregnancy is, the fewer pups the litter contains. Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. Those fertile periods can occur during any time of the year, but most frequently during spring. 8 weeks after birth the guinea pig pups double their size by adding 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). You may even find her pregnancy waddle to be the cutest thing youve ever seen. This is a common occurrence; roughly 1 in 5 guinea pigs will die as a direct result of pregnancy or birth. The duration of pregnancy is inversely proportional to the litter size. The least expensive, easiest, and safest breeding prevention is to house sows and boars separately. All guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but do not nest specifically because of pregnancy. A pregnant sow will begin to drink and eat more as the pregnancy advances. Nothing is set in stone until you can feel the young that are inside the pregnant guinea pig. The mothers weight will vary for a few days whilst she re-adjusts but should settle within five days. The baby guinea pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Pups will each have their own amniotic sac, which the sow normally removes and ingests. At around 4 weeks into a guinea pig's pregnancy the sow's abdomen and lower sides will become more firm than usual. Doing so can cause pups to grow too big, which the sow may struggle to birth. This is because sperm can survive in his tubes for this length of time. I am to have more of a informative conversation with my vet on Monday. Much like other Rodentia and those of the Lagomorpha species, guinea pigs have pearly whites that will grow without end in sight something that can be a serious health problem, Read More What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? Females can reach sexual maturity as early as approximately 4-6 weeks of age and males as early as approximately 8-9 weeks of age so the different sexes should be separated before they are able to reproduce with each other. Although the guinea pig gestation period varies, the guinea pig gestation period typically lasts between 59-72 days. New Plymouth Vet Group. Females can become pregnant immediately after giving birth so make sure that there are no males nearby. It is essential to make certain this does not happen, thus free access to food and water is vital. Since their gestation lasts just 59-73 days, a female guinea pig is capable in theory of bearing five or even six litters a year. There is a 3-5 minute interval between each baby. Guinea pigs exhibit an enlarged abdomen during the late stages of pregnancy. If it declines every day or continues to change after 5 days, consult the vet. 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. Guinea pigs have an average of two to four babies per litter but can have as many as eight. Even still, it's important to keep a very clean cage or hutch. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. 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. The male on, the other hand, will put on his manly display but will still approach the saw with a lowered head. Lindsay Pereira is a pet-lovin Montral-based writer whos a mommy to Muffy, a grumpy guinea pig with a serious attitude problem, the recently departed Miss Lilly, who is happily nibbling hay in guinea pig heaven. A first-timer will not gain as much weight, but generally will weigh 35 ounces or more by the time she gives birth. Fruits should usually be given sparingly to guinea pigs because the acid can give them mouth ulcers. So it is not good practice by caring breeders. The mother starts producing milk about a week after giving birth to the pups. Speak to your vet to make sure you provide the right quantity of pellets. Boris is a veterinarian of a small house pets. The boar must be removed by 50 days as he may continue to mount her which can be stressful or painful in later pregnancy, and she could become pregnant again as early as two hours after the birth. After the commotion of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on the sow. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. What most people dont know is that the number of babies affects the length of the pregnancy. The ultrasound will also be able to confirm how many pups there are, and how many of them are alive. The vet may try to manipulate the piglet into a position where the mother can pass it. Guinea Pig Years to Human Years: How Old is Your Cavy in Human Years? What is the Best Age for a Guinea Pig to Get Pregnant? Excess vitamin C is passed in the urine so cant be over-dosed, but other vitamins can build up and create problems. How much depends on the size of the litter, but her weight should never begin fall. The duration of pregnancy is 60 to 70 days, because of this guinea pigs give birth to well developed young. This means that we may receive a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase something through an affiliate link. In addition, he is a proud owner of two guinea pigs. Not only will we dive deeper into how you can actually find out if your piggy might be pregnant and how you can take steps and precautions towards their delivery date. If so then this video will help answer all of your questions. Especially if any of them display aggressive tendencies. The length of the estrous cycle is 16 days. Selective feeding is where the guinea pig chooses the tastier bits of food over less tasty but often more nutritious foods. Do not bath the sow during pregnancy. Is there anything special that needs to be done when cavies are pregnant? 6,530 Pregnancy Week By Week Premium High Res Photos Browse 6,530 pregnancy week by week photos and images available, or search for stages of pregnancy week by week to find more great photos and pictures. Ideally, relocate cagemates elsewhere rather than removing the pregnant sow, so she can remain in familiar surroundings. The birth canals of these animals are very narrow. Whilst brothers will be fine to be housed together throughout their lives, they may never get on well enough will other boars to be permanently housed with them. Are you wondering if your guinea pig is pregnant? Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. If any of them seem to bother her or tease her, they will need to be put in a separate cage. Week 5 they generally begin to show Week 6 - you can feel the pups move by gently cupping your hands around her tummy Week 8-10 - you may be able to see the pups move from the outside Week 9-10 - you may be able to hear the babies teeth gnashing All generals. Every pregnancy varies from individual to individual but theres definitely a silver lining, just as with any other space. Baby boys need to leave mum at 3 weeks of age or 250grams, whichever comes first. Establish a daily routine with set times and stick to it, to provide consistency. Thats when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. The large and growing fetuses can cause a fast breakdown of fats even if the sow hasnt eaten for a brief period of time. Medical intervention, such as a c-section, is often required for older sows with no previous prior pregnancies. When her pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the labor is very near. These images range from super small baby bumps to plus-size pregnancy belly bump pictures showing the week-by-week pregnancy development. During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. Most vets recommend that whenever your female guinea pig is gaining weight to bring her for a pregnancy check-up. Remember guinea pigs are social animals and should be kept in groups, so if you own both a boar and a sow make sure to provide company of the same sex for both of them. Mother strains for 15 minutes without producing a pup. This helped me, "Glad we got educated early. Pregnancy for Guinea Pigs is very high risk, both for the mum and the babies. unlocking this expert answer. The pups will be able to eat solid food from day one, and the mother will introduce them to new food herself. It is common for them to double in weight during this time. However, a caesarean surgery may be required. Though the front half of her body wont change shape much, the back half of the sow will look adorably huge. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? it may also be necessary to separate your pregnant guinea pig from any other guinea pigs you have. The largest noted litter numbered 14 guinea pigs. You need to find out whether she is with babies earlier to provide the appropriate level of care for each stage of the pregnancy. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. A neutered male guinea pig can still impregnate a female Pregnant guinea pigs arent accustomed to building nests, yet any type of clean soft bedding will do just fine. Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. Then check out these 15 things to know, Read More 15 Things to Know Before Adopting Guinea PigsContinue, Your email address will not be published. Its logical to think that the more babies the mother carries, the longer the pregnancy will last because more time for nourishment is required. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. Make the habit of repeatedly measuring your pets weight, at least twice a month. Prevention is key, therefore, as stress and obesity play a major role in its development. Be very careful if you need to hold or handle a pregnant guinea pig. If you gently touch the animals belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. Introduce the male pups to the father and any other boars you have. The pups are born with open eyes and covered in fur. Only a skilled and experienced veterinarian should attempt to manipulate the position of pups before they are born. The pregnancy of the guinea pig will be shorter if there is a larger litter size. Some may happen sooner, later, or not at all. Sometimes its the uterus lacking contractions; sometimes its a pup ending up stuck in the birth canal. She may, if he persists, even urinate on him. Having somewhere to hide will reduce stress. Rough handling may cause miscarriage. Loss of appetite can also be a symptom of pregnancy toxemia. Guinea pups, once born, will be completely furry. Is It Safe to Breed Cavies? Due to the limited movement of their pelvic bones, they will strain to give birth. A visit to the vet will help determine if your cavy is pregnant. When you are sure the birth is over, you can assist the sow in cleaning by removing any stained bedding. Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. The male, when courting a female, will physically display himself with actions like rumbling, standing upright before the sow, and approaching her with a lowered head. 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