Interesting fact The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! Think about whether your guinea pig was in the contact of a boar. You have to rely on a combination of indicators. Only this way, serious delivery problems can be avoided. Their gestational period may last between 59 - 72 days. Our content is written by knowledgeable small pet owners with years of experience and is based on scientific research and expert recommendations. My Marmalade is eating and drinking great. You most likely won't even see it happen. Today, they are kept as pets around the globe. Yet, they may emit a similar sound after the baby comes out. For pet proprietors, gaining an understanding and knowledge of this part of their pets life is also important. Approximately every five minutes, a new pup will be born. Nonetheless, be wary that other conditions like cancer or cysts disguise as bumps in the body. The sow licks the babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out. In the event that the vet affirms that your pig is pregnant, at that point it is significant that you ensure you realize how to appropriately take care of her. As you get closer to labor, your water may break and you may have back pain or . 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.. If you do not see the birth as it happens, you will most likely not see the placentas, as the Mom will eat the afterbirths and all the bloody wet shavings. 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. So it is of utmost importance that you keep male and female guinea pigs isolated on the off chance that you dont need pregnancies to happen. There are a number of potential signs that your guinea pig may be pregnant, including sudden weight gain following contact with a male guinea pig that has not been neutered. Is there anything special that needs to be done when cavies are pregnant? A voracious appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is pregnant. 0. Keep an Eye on the Boys. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. This is because the strain and pressure implicated puts at risk the life of a female guinea pig. Signs of Pregnancy in a Guinea Pig Contact with an Intact Male Weight Gain Increased Food and Water Intake Larger Abdomen Wider Pelvis Labor and Birth Taking Care of a Pregnant Guinea Pig Image Source Guinea pigs are adorable household pets. Male guinea pigs are very territorial so when they mate they spray the female with their urine. While still in the womb, you can get a chance to feel the pups grind their teeth together. Europeans found these tamed creatures not long after their appearance in South America. The new Mom will not act sick. You should also provide the sow with a stress-free environment. This gilt's pregnancy indicator is pointing up. Additionally, there is no pregnancy test accessible for guinea pigs. Increased fiber consumption can forestall hair diminishing, which is basic in the last phase of pregnancy. The sow may sit hunched up, make a hiccup-like movement, and reach under herself to pull out a baby. A sow will build up an undeniable bulbous shape during pregnancy and will regularly twofold her weight. When she has a contraction, she will kind of hunch up. Some other methods to know whether the guinea pig is pregnant or not: In the event that you speculate that your guinea pig is pregnant, at that point its basic that you counsel a vet. Bumps can also refer to ovarian cysts or tumors. That gives you enough time to attempt breeding after a few weeks when the pig goes into heat. (And How? After you dry it off, put it back down beside the Mom. I would only give one 1 inch cube of fruit per week. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. One of the clear signs that your guinea pig is pregnant is if she starts to take on the shape of a pear. Do it every day at the same time routinely. For an effective process, ensure that your pregnant sows consume fresh veggies and fruits hay each day. Some factors like body size, breed and number of fetuses affect the pig gestation period or length. 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. 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. Hi there! Sometimes, small particles of fecal matter or meconium appear in the discharge. When your guinea pig is in labor, . This behavior serves as an attempt not only to soon breed with the female, but also to guard her from danger. Female guinea pigs sexually mature as early as 2 months of age. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. Enriching the guinea pigs diet with kale, broccoli, green peppers, and parsley is also advised. 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 . 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. Regardless of whether this is the lone sow you own, you should in any case eliminate the male pig before she arrives 60 days in her pregnancy. Thank you for your information. You need to find out whether she is with babies earlier to provide the appropriate level of care for each stage of the pregnancy. As they grow, the opening fuses and becomes a stiff bony bridge. Guinea pigs are not nesters, so you might not notice any changes in behavior as delivery time gets closer. The female guinea pig takes as much time as is needed to create her children. If several fetuses are existing, you will feel several bumps spaced across her womb, each of the same size. A voracious appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is pregnant. When there is a dominant male, theres a likelihood that the other males wont try to interact with the mother. The baby guinea pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy. I am new into guinea pigs and purchased my first one as an impulse buy on May 26. 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. The milk provides some very important nutrients for the babies. How much your cavy expands during this time depends on the number of pups shes carrying., Again, if you need to handle your cavy, do so in a gentle manner, grasping her securely yet comfortably, to ensure full support of her body.. Since pregnant guinea pigs are making other guinea pigs inside them, theyll need to eat unquestionably more than expected, here and there a few times more to their typical utilization. Remember that a cold climate triggers a guinea pig's appetite. Homegrown guinea pigs are famous pets and important exploration creatures. The period during which the female is receptive to the male and will allow breeding lasts about 8 hours. Typically, breeding reduces the lifespan of female cavies. When her pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the labor is very near. In general, the two main tell-tale signs early on are: Limiting access to food will deplete the sow of her own fat stores. Note that your guinea requires a balanced diet more than ever. Pregnant Guinea Pig Signs, Behavior & Care. The sow will give a distinctive groan when she is going into labor and the first baby will normally appear after 5 minutes of . During the early stage change the usual hay with Alfalfa hay. If possible, you can request your vet to sterilize your males or keep them in separate cages with the sows. The canal is fully fused by the 7-8thmonth of age both in unbred female and male guinea pigs. Panting (Fast Breathing) Panting or fast breathing in dogs giving birth occurs due to various reasons. Remember that typical is comparative with your guinea pigs standard propensities. The gestation period for pregnant guinea pigs is 60 to 70 days. Find out more about the NEW, drastically improved site and forum! How do you know if your cavy is actually carrying pups? Dont restrict her exercise just because shes pregnant; she needs it to keep her weight down and her strength up. Know when a pig is going into labor. At this time you will be even able to distinguish the body parts of the moving babies by gently touching the belly. Guinea pigs can especially sexually mature early for animals. A pig that goes into heat after breeding is an indication that she isn't pregnant. By gently squeezing the tummy area, you may feel different-sized bumps. Are you still deciding whether to breed your female cavy? During the process, the sow squats on all its limbs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Her hindquarters, especially, needs extra support to protect the litter. Loosening . Pregnancy can have many hindrances for the sow, the female guinea pig. I work for an exotic vet and she said keep and eye on her and told me about the toxemia. Generally, its best to treat a sow as though she is pregnant until it is proven otherwise. 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. Loud squeals are a sign that she accepted him. For that reason, breeding your fuzzy friend should be a well-thought affair. Sooner when the motherly impulse slowly sinks in, they may take up their maternal role. Negligence and ignorance can prove to be fatal for the mother and the babies. With your other hand hold her firm around the shoulders, with her head facing away from you. Pups will each have their own amniotic sac, which the sow normally removes and ingests. Getting a pet for yourself is a big responsibility in itself. With a contraction, she will reach under her like she is getting a poop to eat, and pull the baby out. During pregnancy, the cervix stays closed and plugged up with mucus (aptly called the "mucus plug"). For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. An expectant sow would suddenly start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy progresses. Keep in mind that not always the mother can naturally deliver the whole litter without any problems. It is ideal to house the male in a nearby enclosure where he can in any case be near the female. The afterbirth will be a round flat bloody object ranging in size from a nickel to a quarter. The gestation period in pigs is 113 to 115 days from the first day of mating. If you see the baby partway out, and the Mom is making no effort to help it, and you are SURE it is a baby, then you can gently try and help maneuver the baby out. Ultrasounds are non-intrusive and dont need sedation. Its a great way to predict and control diseases as well. Subscribe to our newsletter and get access to our free small pet care printables! 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