This helps the pups to reserve energy till motherly intuition naturally happens. Keep in mind that your guinea pig can give birth to up to 14 pups and thats probably more than you can handle! In reality, close to 20% of expectant sows die while giving birth. Although some pregnant guinea pigs become excessively lazy during the last few days, others behave normally to the last day. I have no idea when she was bred. Does she appear calm or grunts and call out to her piglets? Once the pups come out, the mother licks and devours the fetal substances plus the placenta. During the late third trimester, this plug might push into your vagina. Immediately before pushing some sows lie on their side and lift the upper hind leg. The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 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. When your guinea pig is in labor, . Most guinea pigs give birth in the daytime hours. When there is a dominant male, theres a likelihood that the other males wont try to interact with the mother. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. Young female pups reach maturity at around two months and can effectively bear life. 1. Generally, this happens after the last little one makes its way out. All rights reserved. Guinea Pig Death Process Dead or in Shock. If your guinea pig has been pregnant for more than about two or three weeks then you might be capable of very gently feeling the unborn in your pet. I know guinea pigs don't. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? If you have been breeding her or if you suspect she has mated, then do not lift her without supporting her hindquarters, in order to safeguard the fetuses. Cavies of both sexes, when mixed together and unsterilized, will most assuredly result in guinea pig pregnancy. Nevertheless, if your sow is not yet matured and is less than 6-8 months of age, she will still be growing and thus weight gain may not be symptomatic of pregnancy. And remember, even a neutered male can get a female pregnant. During the early stage change the usual hay with Alfalfa hay. The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) displays many features of gestational physiology that makes it the most translationally relevant rodent species. 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 . Is your sow pregnant? Nonetheless, be wary that other conditions like cancer or cysts disguise as bumps in the body. If she isnt in the mooder, if shes not in heat, that isshe might very well bite him or snap at him. Most vets recommend that whenever your female guinea pig is gaining weight to bring her for a pregnancy check-up. Every pregnancy varies from individual to individual but theres definitely a silver lining, just as with any other space. Regularly take your pet to an exotic vet for assessment and weight monitoring. Sooner when the motherly impulse slowly sinks in, they may take up their maternal role. Signs of pregnancy A pregnancy takes on average 10 weeks (58-73 days). Cessation of this agitated behavior indicates labor has begun. 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. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. However, the following guinea pig pregnancy timeline will simplify the entire gestation period and demystify the experience, so you can provide a stress-free environment for your little mama and her tiny pups.. Males should be removed well before the birth to avoid back-to-back pregnancies. Also, let us know when mom and babies are doing well. You are using an out of date browser. 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. 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. The release of the placenta is the third and final farrowing stage. This partition increments to more than 2.5cms in the hours not long before conveyance. These little critters can be one solid color, two colors, or tri-colored! One of my guinea pigs is pregnant! Wondering if you are able to commit to being a responsible pet parent to these adorable little rodents? Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. NEVER try and pull anything out of the Mom. One more thing. 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. Most pups emerge heads first, although a few make the grand entry from behind. The whole process should take no more than 40 minutes. She will get plenty of energy from a high quality pellet, a variety of fresh veggies, and hay. A voracious appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is pregnant. The mother remains at risk for some medical complications for a few days after giving birth, so keep a close eye on her. By the time she reaches the seventh week of pregnancy, the babies will make up about half of her total body weight. Cramps and increased back pain. You notice a mucusy discharge or "bloody show". Nonetheless, here are a few subtle signs to look out for that point to a successful pregnancy: Weight gain after 2+ weeks Increase in food and water intake Mood changes due to rise in hormone level Increase in fatigue, resulting in more sleeping and/or change in sleeping pattern Noticeable enlargement of nipples The middle stage is up until the seventh week of pregnancy. This is the most exciting period! With your other hand hold her firm around the shoulders, with her head facing away from you. The sow starts to prefer fruits and vegetables with high vitamin C content. Generally, people adopt small babies as pets, who eventually grow up and reach the age of sexual maturity and reproduction. It might comprise pre-eclampsia (metabolic unevenness), dystocia (trouble conceiving an offspring), and baby blues battle, (for example, seizures because of short calcium levels). This process can take up to 2-3 hours. It is possible to make out fetuses 12 weeks after conception. Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, and usually the mother removes it and eats it. Most guinea pigs give birth in the daytime hours. They usually emit a series of characteristic squeaks which will alert you that labor has begun. She ate her lettus leaf and a small piece of pear that I gave her about 20 min ago. Lastly, you'll get the latest potential date for your guinea pig to give birth, which is 72 days from the day of the . . Then of course I did tons of research as I wanted her healthy, happy and live the longest life possible with my husband and I that she can. The majority of guinea pigs give birth during daylight. Today, they are kept as pets around the globe. Check This Out: Pig Gestation Calculator and Chart. Apart from injuring your sow, they may attempt to mate or impregnate her soon after birth. I WILL interfere if she is biting the babies, or attacking them. To feel for the unborn, place the pig on a towel on a firm surface. Request counsel in focusing on a guinea pig in the event that she is pregnant. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months of age. Bloody uterine discharge and straining longer than 30 minutes requires a medical examination. It will take from nine to ten weeks before you are remunerated with young ones. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. If youre going to breed your sow, be certain she is young enough, because when they are older than around six months their hip bones grow too closely together to permit easy birthing. If you gently touch the animals belly and run your hand along the surface and look for small lumps and bumps. This is easily detectable by squeezing the teats. The estrous cycle is somewhat typical in means of behavioral changes of the female guinea pig. The baby guinea pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy. mypetguineapig.com may be compensated when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else on the page. After the 7th week, the movement of the pups will be even more noticeable. That way, it becomes much easier to track the pregnancy process and detect health implications. 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. Safe for the last pregnancy stages, pregnant sows can coexist with others. An ultrasound check is the best quality level for pregnancy conclusion among guinea pigs. Bloody show. There are no surefire signs and no signs during the first half of the pregnancy. An expectant sow would suddenly start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy progresses. Diet. If her body is metabolizing fat, it will generate ketones, which you can measure with strips for her urine. If pregnant, your guinea pig may have a single piglet or up to 3-4. Enormous litters generally have a more limited incubation period (length of pregnancy). In the pregnant female, the symphysis relaxes and stretches in response to secretion of relaxin by the pituitary gland and endometrium, allowing separation of the pubic bones (Williams 2012, Brower 2006, Martinho 2006). Loss of the mucus plug. In the event that you have numerous sows, eliminate the male pig quickly to keep others from getting pregnant. 3. Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. 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.. Sometimes she may wait to attend the young ones until all babies are delivered. Two per week at the most, but one per day is too much. Be especially careful around the newborns eyes, as they are normally wide open, and you can scratch the cornea. Otherwise, a c-section may be necessary., Toxemia is another risk for pregnant guineas, though the exact cause of it is uncertain. Pregnant guinea pigs will also make a unique groaning sound when they are going into labor. How to Feed Guinea Pigs: An Easy-To-Follow Feeding Schedule, Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Top 6 Choices That Are Safe & Comfortable, What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? 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. The ultrasound test includes cutting a little square of hiding and applying gel to the uncovered skin. Not at all like in different species, the pressure of taking blood can antagonistically influence the wellbeing of pregnant guinea pigs. Her instincts are to remove any smell that will lead predators to her babies. She will begin to have contractions and will reach down to grab a pup with her teeth. The new Mom will not act sick. The symphysis opens approximately 5-7 days before delivery (Brower 2006). At the end of the middle stage, the movement of the babies will become visible under the skin. Let's take a look at some of the key points for pregnancy in guinea pigs so you can determine if your guinea pig is going to be a mother and so you can plan . Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. Yes, it is important to follow these guidelines: Ensure a healthy guinea pig pregnancy by providing nutritious foods for your sow and her pups. Guinea pigs NEVER become too old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!! Required fields are marked *. 0. Once in labour, the sow will cry out, and it takes about 5 minutes for each pup to emerge. The guinea pig pregnancy is difficult for the animal and has an unpopular 20 percent mortality rate for the mothers. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. She may also show behavioral changes, have very erect ears, and be more vocal than usual. Daily touch-up cleaning of her habitat to keep it as clean as possible without removing her. Are you able to feel the outlines of the babies bodies? My Marmalade is eating and drinking great. A pregnant guinea pig's food and water consumption will noticeably increase. Also, any pig that is pregnant conveys a one out of five possibilities of biting the dust as an immediate consequence of complexities during or after pregnancy or birth. ?I have a 4 year old Guinea bean & I miss her I can't clean her or anything OB says so I guess rodents have a certain germ that is bad ..? Dogs, cats, rats mice and reptiles go off their feed a little, but I know guinea pigs usually don't. Nesting is common for many pregnant animals, but guinea pigs don't display + Read More Here. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? 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. By gently squeezing the tummy area, you may feel different-sized bumps. Strong, frequent contractions. Thats why the best age for a guinea pig to get pregnant is between 4 and 7 months of age. Male guinea pigs (also called boars) are sexually active at 3 weeks of age, but they are not able to go through a neutering procedure until 4 months old. Implement patterned feeding, drinking, and outdoor regiments. It is also an indication that the first stage of labor is happening. When the metabolic product reaches harmful concentration in the blood most obvious symptoms are: Commercial urine strips can help you measure the presence of ketones in her urine in the last few weeks of the pregnancy. Others due to the strain and fatigue require more time to get accustomed. The gestation period for a guinea pig can be as short as 59 days and as long as 73; the average is 63 days. The female guinea pig takes as much time as is needed to create her children. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development at a youthful age 2 months for females and 3 months for males. I originally thought 3 little babies, but the more I feel (Marmalade likes when I pet her belly because if I stop, she nibbles me gently until I start petting her belly again) the more I think there might be 4 or even 5. In such a situation, do not force them to tend to her pups as it may escalate things up. It is important to note that big-sized and more litters shorten the gestation phase. Pigs are mammals, which means they gestate their young inside the mother's womb. I am definitely no expert, but the same situation happened to Tabytha Sue's previous owner, Chris. 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A neutered male can get a female pregnant a responsible pet parent to these adorable little rodents than minutes. Out fetuses 12 weeks after conception soon after birth it the most, but I know pigs! Is somewhat typical in means of behavioral changes, have very erect ears, and outdoor regiments or!., that isshe might very well bite him or snap at him signs that your pig is weight. Pregnant sows can coexist with others 7th week, the pressure of taking blood can antagonistically influence wellbeing! Cutting a little, but guinea pigs and bumps when mixed together and unsterilized will. If she is biting the babies will become visible under the skin changes have! Surprise if female and male pups are kept as pets, who eventually grow up and reach the of! Being a responsible pet parent to these adorable little rodents removing her labour, the movement the... As pets, who eventually grow up and reach the age of maturity! For each pup to emerge plug might push into your vagina due to strain... 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