There are no surefire signs and no signs during the first half of the pregnancy. Your email address will not be published. Generally, people adopt small babies as pets, who eventually grow up and reach the age of sexual maturity and reproduction. The male guinea pig is called a boar, while the female is known as a sow. 0. When its utterly necessary make sure she has the support of her hips. Thank you for your information. As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. 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. Copyright 2000-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Guinea Lynx, All Rights Reserved, Sow straining for more than 10 minutes and not producing a baby, Sow squealing loudly with each contraction, Sow getting exhausted and just giving up from trying, No placenta being produced with the babies, Sow smelling like nail polish remover, or acetone. Males should be removed well before the birth to avoid back-to-back pregnancies. They will want to eat solid food within a few hours of birth. Pregnant Guinea Pig Signs, Behavior & Care. Pigs are mammals, which means they gestate their young inside the mother's womb. Guinea Pig Pregnancy 101: Signs and Care Guide (2022) Do Guinea Pigs Nest Before Giving Birth? About 5-10 minutes will pass before she has more contractions and has the second . On rare occasions, it means that the guinea pig is suffering from a sickness. Bloody show. If the female is receptive to his suggestion, she will signal her acceptance with loud squeals. A visit to the vet will help determine if your cavy is pregnant. Changes in the Estrous Cycle. Interesting fact The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! Maybe Janice will have at least one son so Possum will have a cage mate. To limit hazard, empower practice and forestall weight while guaranteeing satisfactory sustenance and water is promptly accessible. A pregnant guinea pig is in danger of toxemia, so you should be on the lookout for any signs of this often fatal disease. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. The baby guinea pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy. Naturally, they have narrow birth canals. 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. 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. As you get closer to labor, your water may break and you may have back pain or . Be especially careful around the newborns eyes, as they are normally wide open, and you can scratch the cornea. For an effective process, ensure that your pregnant sows consume fresh veggies and fruits hay each day. Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links. 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. Lastly, it takes about 2-4 weeks to wean guinea pups. In most cases, the small forms are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy. In the event that she isnt in the mindseter, if shes not in warmth, that isshe might just mess with him or snap at him. You should observe the behavior of the other guinea pigs as well. 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. Bumps can also refer to ovarian cysts or tumors. Chris got Tabythas momma from someone who said "no no, she's not pregnant! In such a situation, do not force them to tend to her pups as it may escalate things up. An expectant sow would suddenly start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy progresses. The next number will be the earliest your guinea pig will potentially go into labor. The kidney, bladder, or even fecal pellets can all be easily mistaken for fetuses. Thats why a female guinea pig should be bred before the permanent hardening on the pelvic canal. Female sows are sexually mature around two months of age and can start to have young ones. 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. The male will put on a manly display for the female, rumbling, standing upright before her, and approaching her with his head lowered. In reality, close to 20% of expectant sows die while giving birth. 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. I work for an exotic vet and she said keep and eye on her and told me about the toxemia. All of these signs are included and described as "the first stage of labor". However, they are more prone to health problems in the latter stages of pregnancy. Those nutrients will nourish her as well as the fetuses and also prevent hair loss. Additionally, abstain from keeping your pets food in the fridge because the process minimizes the Vitamin C content. Also, you might need to expand the fiber component in your guinea pigs diet. Many others survive but with complicationscostly to you, painful to her. Weight gain may be subtle in the first hundred days, but keep an eye for any signs that your pig is growing. In some cases, you may also be able to feel guinea pig fetuses inside your pet's stomach. It is important to note that big-sized and more litters shorten the gestation phase. Avoid over-feeding If you still decide to breed your guinea pig you shouldnt do it if the pet is more than 7 months of age. We'll discuss all the things you need to know about guinea pig pregnancy. Sometimes, the babies come so fast that the Mom has no time to tend to each baby. All things considered, the domestication of cavies began in the high countries of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. Most pups emerge heads first, although a few make the grand entry from behind. Female guinea pigs sexually mature as early as 2 months of age. A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. She ate her lettus leaf and a small piece of pear that I gave her about 20 min ago. Approximately every five minutes, a new pup will be born. After each pup pops out, it may take three to five minutes for the other to emerge. Begin by creating a C shape with your thumb and first finger, and then rolling the thumb over the top of her tummy and the forefinger beneath her belly. If the female disproves of her suitor, then she will snap at or bite him to chase him away. Normal labor should be short and sweet. JavaScript is disabled. I can feel the outlines of the babies. Should complications arise, it is extremely important that you have a veterinarian lined up for emergency care before the actual delivery. If the female approves of the male, she will signal her acceptance to mate with loud squeaks. Today, they are kept as pets around the globe. Check out these most popular guinea pig products on the market: Last update on 2023-02-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. The signs of pregnancy toxaemia are abrupt onset of depression (quiet, weak, lethargic) and anorexia (not eating). During the late third trimester, this plug might push into your vagina. Some sows take up caring for their young ones right away after birth. Early signs of labor can start days or even weeks before the big event. Typically, only 2 to 4 ova (fertile eggs) are released by the female during the fertile period of the estrous. She. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 hours, most often during night hours. Finally, should you choose to get your cavies spayed or neutered, seek out a vet who has experience with guinea pig surgeries.. Last Updated on January 25, 2023November 5, 2020 by Danielle. The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. How do you know if your cavy is actually carrying pups? There are various signs of pregnancy in guinea pigs. It takes about 20-30 minutes for the whole litter to be delivered. Feed your guinea pig horse feed rather than timothy feed with the goal that she gets more protein and calcium. Register for free to enjoy the full benefits. 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. An ultrasound check is the best quality level for pregnancy conclusion among guinea pigs. Hamsters and Guinea Pigs Can They Live Together. It tends to affect overweight sows delivering their first and second litter. The guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72 days. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. One more way to detect guinea pig pregnancy is the smell of the pet. Sometimes its the uterus lacking contractions; sometimes its a pup ending up stuck in the birth canal. During the last pregnancy stages, pregnant piggies tend to overeat. The pups will be fully furred and have their eyes open. You should also provide the sow with a stress-free environment. Is your sow pregnant? Generally, its best to treat a sow as though she is pregnant until it is proven otherwise. Note that the incubation period is normally 66 72 days. In the event that a female guinea pig has been in the presence of a hog, at that point she will have unquestionably attempted to accomplice and has a high possibility of getting pregnant. The largest noted litter numbered 14 guinea pigs. Luckily, the stages of a successful pregnancy are predictable and consistent, making caring for your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward. If you sense your guinea pigs womb very deliberately, you may be able to detect the unborn if she is pregnant. However, if youre still in the process of deciding whether to breed her, then heed our advice to not breed her. Do not overfeed pellets. Animallama is a pet care blog educating new and existing small pet owners on how to properly care for their pets. Youll need to ensure your pig is getting adequate food, water, and supplements since these things are additionally helping the embryos. How old do guinea pigs have to be to breed? There are numerous medical reasons why giving birth can go wrong. Even though there have been situations of guinea pigs giving birth to as much as 8 offspring, the average litter size is 4 baby guinea pigs. The rapid dissolving of fat results in metabolic disorders and the accumulation of ketones in the bloodstream. Ultrasounds are non-intrusive and dont need sedation. Sometimes even surgery must be performed to save the mothers life. In some cases, pregnant guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a day. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? Such temperature drops can happen at any point of the pregnancy. At the end of the middle stage, the movement of the babies will become visible under the skin. I have had sows that have run to the opposite end of the cage, like they are terrified! It is also an indication that the first stage of labor is happening. A voracious appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is pregnant. 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.. 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. On the other hand, boars should be at least 34 months old before mating. If you see your sow bleeding, more than a tablespoon, dripping blood, or many pieces of bloody bedding with no babies, you are best advised to get to a vet. There is a 3-5 minute interval between each baby. 0. 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. Guinea pigs NEVER become too old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!! Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development at a youthful age 2 months for females and 3 months for males. The pups are born with open eyes and covered in fur. These kinds of guinea pigs are the most popular in America and are the breeds most commonly sold in shops. For pet proprietors, gaining an understanding and knowledge of this part of their pets life is also important. Daily touch-up cleaning of her habitat to keep it as clean as possible without removing her. A sow can birth up to 5 litters per year, though miscarriages and stillbirths are common. Handle the sow with care and never treat her roughly. After you dry it off, put it back down beside the Mom. After only a few of weeks, you should see your pet putting on weight, and the size of the mid-region getting truly perceptible. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. Sometimes, they prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get to a vet. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. Sometimes, small particles of fecal matter or meconium appear in the discharge. Somewhere around week 5-6, the abdomen and hindquarters of the pregnant guinea pig will be markedly enlarged.. 6 Signs of a Pregnant Pig. If several fetuses are present, you will feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a similar size. A male guinea pig who can not see or hear his mate may create pressure, making him defenseless to sickness. Have the details of a small animal vet handy Be prepared. Cheers, Adrian @ GuineaPigCare.com.au, Adrian, thank you so much for making this post. What does a pregnant guinea pig need? Usually, a guinea pig's pregnancy lasts from 59-72 days. When your guinea pig is in labor, . The abdomen becomes bulky and look plump, though this can also mean other things. The new Mom will not act sick. During this time, keep watch for the following: Dystocia, or difficult birth, is common in sows who are older than 7-8 months and bred for the first time. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. Limit pressure and dodge any changes in the eating routine or lodging during late pregnancy. I do not breed. Lets go over the main points of this ritual to help you determine if your guinea pig might be pregnant.. If you feel movement in addition to lumpiness, that's a clear sign she is pregnant. Not knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in guinea pigs can prove to be a nightmare. There are three stages of the farrowing process; pre-farrowing, farrowing, and after-birth expulsion. A good thing is to weigh your female guinea pig on a regular basis (perhaps once a week) and to write down the weight. Take a few moments to inform yourself of potential pregnancy problems and why breeding your guinea pigs is not a good idea: For the sake of your guinea pigs, do think twice before breeding them. In fur of their pets life is also important released by the female approves of the babies will visible... 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