It tends to affect overweight sows delivering their first and second litter. Are you wondering if your guinea pig is pregnant? Clean the water bottle weekly to prevent the build-up of algae and bacteria. Lethal guinea pigs are white in colour (not albino) are born blind, usually in both eyes, have crooked or deformed teeth, are often also deaf and often suffer from internal deformities particularly to the digestive organs. The canal is fully fused by the 7-8thmonth of age both in unbred female and male guinea pigs. During the first month or so, there arent a lot of physical signs to indicate your sow is a mom-to-be. Male guinea pigs have a larger amount of space between their penis and their anus, about 2-3cm of space between the penis and the anus. Not knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in guinea pigs can prove to be a nightmare. I am to have more of a informative conversation with my vet on Monday. Toxemia is another risk for pregnant guineas, though the exact cause of it is uncertain. As soon as you suspect a successful mating, supplement the females usual. As with most animals, there's not a set number of days that a guinea pig is pregnant. Even still, it's important to keep a very clean cage or hutch. Guinea Pig Pregnancy Week By Week Pictures. This is because sperm can survive in his tubes for this length of time. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. "I recently adopted two pigs but realized I would have many more very soon. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. guinea pigs are pregnant for 67-73 days and you will know she will have babies in 3-4 weeks when you can feel her babies moving. Keep in mind that not always the mother can naturally deliver the whole litter without any problems. Pregnancy is hard work for a female guinea pig. The temperature outside or in a garage/shed usually becomes too cold at night for a pregnant guinea pig. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. For example, carrots contain lots of oxalate. As a species, they also increase their food intake in the winter. The sow starts to prefer fruits and vegetables with high vitamin C content. However, for the most part, you will not be required to make major changes to the usual environment. If you were unaware of it before, guinea pigs mate early and often which means different genders should be separated when kept as pets. Just because they are the pups of a familiar guinea pig, this does not mean that they will be accepted immediately. 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. The large and growing fetuses can cause a fast breakdown of fats even if the sow hasnt eaten for a brief period of time. Thats why a female guinea pig should be bred before the permanent hardening on the pelvic canal. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Publisher: Pergamon. Avoid over-feeding Cavies of both sexes, when mixed together and unsterilized, will most assuredly result in guinea pig pregnancy. If they do survive the first week they have a shorter than normal life expectancy and will require large amounts of medical care throughout their lives. If you hold her carefully by the shoulders when she's on . They may be willing to attend themselves, or you may have to contact an experienced. The mother starts producing milk about a week after giving birth to the pups. Wondering how old your precious guinea pigs are in human years? [1] Do not bath the sow during pregnancy. Somewhere around week 5-6, the abdomen and hindquarters of the pregnant guinea pig will be markedly enlarged. Daily touch-up cleaning of her habitat to keep it as clean as possible without removing her. Usually, the occurrence is 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after giving birth. Newborn guinea pigs weigh between 60g and 115g. guinea pigs concerned are given unlimited access to plenty of fresh, green meadow hay to keep them occupied - this will often stop the problem. The placenta contains hormones which can trigger contractions. Its a great way to predict and control diseases as well. 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. House pregnant sows indoors if pets are normally free-range outside. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 . If your guinea pig has been pregnant for more than about two or three weeks then you might be able to very very gently feel the foetuses in your pet. A neutered male guinea pig can still impregnate a female You need to find out whether she is with babies earlier to provide the appropriate level of care for each stage of the pregnancy. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 326,562 times. Instead, coax her onto a towel or into a box. I for one was never able to see Emma's babies move from the outside. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. Depression Incoming! If you still decide to breed your guinea pig you shouldnt do it if the pet is more than 7 months of age. ). One more way to detect guinea pig pregnancy is the smell of the pet. Loss of appetite can also be a symptom of pregnancy toxemia. Do not overfeed pellets. They should be kept at the same comfortable temperature as the adults. Males take a little longer and are typically sexually mature by 8 to 9 weeks of age. Fruits should usually be given sparingly to guinea pigs because the acid can give them mouth ulcers. Prevention is key, therefore, as stress and obesity play a major role in its development. Season: A mare's gestation period can be impacted by the season. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. A female guinea pig can fall pregnant immediately after giving birth. This type is rich both in protein in calcium, two things she needs a lot at the moment. It is entirely possible for a male pup to impregnate its mother or sisters. "We just found out that one of our guinea pigs is male and the other is pregnant! If there are male guinea pigs present at the time of birth, they will compete between themselves to mate with the mother and protect the newborn guinea pigs. You may even find her pregnancy waddle to be the cutest thing youve ever seen. The duration of pregnancy is inversely proportional to the litter size. Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent. Introduce the male pups to the father and any other boars you have. Male guinea pigs as young as 3 weeks old can impregnate a female, and a female guinea pig as young as a month old, can get pregnant. Duration of guinea pig pregnancy depends on the number of pups: the larger the litter the shorter the pregnancy. 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. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. If you have not removed males yet, do so at this point. At around 4 weeks into a guinea pig's pregnancy the sow's abdomen and lower sides will become more firm than usual. Ammonia irritates the lungs of pigs and will predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections. Do it every day at the same time routinely. Pregnancy is hard work for a female guinea pig. Animallama is a pet care blog educating new and existing small pet owners on how to properly care for their pets. During pregnancy, you will need to provide your guinea pig with a clean cage or hutch. If you've found out that your guinea pig is pregnant, check on it several times a day to monitor its drinking and eating habits so you know what is normal and can react to changes. 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. The largest noted litter numbered 14 guinea pigs. Place it in a sheltered part of the hutch, away from draughts. After the seventh week, the animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy. Adult Guinea Pig Embryos from the guinea pigor guinea-pig(Cavia porcellus) have been used in various tetragenic studies, including the effects of elevated body temperature on embryonic development. But taking in mind the previously mentioned signs you can suspect pregnancy if any one of them is present. During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. Guinea Pig Reproduction and Gestation Guinea pigs have a lifespan of 4 to 8 years and reach sexual maturity at an early age. 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. Negligence and ignorance can prove to be fatal for the mother and the babies. Fleece bedding comes in many styles, looks great, and is comfortable on guinea pigs feet. % of people told us that this article helped them. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. 2. Interesting Fact: The shorter the pregnancy is, the larger the litter size is. 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. Guinea pigs are pregnant for 58-73 days. As the pregnancy develops, carefully check the guinea pig twice a week for signs of illness, like crusty eyes or a patchy coat. Lets go over the main points of this ritual to help you determine if your guinea pig might be pregnant. The pregnancy of the guinea pig will be shorter if there is a larger litter size. How much depends on the size of the litter, but her weight should never begin fall. Doing otherwise can cause pregnancy complications or miscarriage. It will be too stressful for her. In time, it will be a bit harder for them to move, but this is of little or no significance. As a general rule, guinea pigs do not respond well to anaesthetic so if it is possible, separating the sexes is a safer option. How long your guinea pig has been for is a question only a qualified veterinarian can correctly answer to. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. You should also provide a box, like a small shoe box on its side. 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. With the use of ultrasound, your vet can also assess potential concerns with the pregnancy. This article made the information I, "This helped a lot. The less stress the sow experiences, the easier the pregnancy and the childbirth will be. The male on, the other hand, will put on his manly display but will still approach the saw with a lowered head. (Complete Setup), Do Guinea Pigs Eat Carrots? As a guinea pig lover myself, I created a list of cute and funny gifts for guinea pig lovers that will surely be appreciated by the receiving party. Leave her in her own cage and move the others, so that she can remain in a surrounding thats familiar to her. His professionalism is shown on the many articles he contributed to the website. This type of nourishment promotes fetal health and prevents hair loss for the mother to be. In the presence of a male, the female changes her back (spine) which she arches downwards. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. Only hold her if necessary. Finally, feed your guinea pig high quality hay and pellets throughout its pregnancy. There is a 3-5 minute interval between each baby. 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. Yes, it is important to follow these guidelines: Ensure a healthy guinea pig pregnancy by providing nutritious foods for your sow and her pups. The vet will assess the guinea pigs condition. ", needed available in a clear, concise manner, super simple, and now I feel confident in my unexpected blessing. The milk provides some very important nutrients for the babies. There are numerous medical reasons why giving birth can go wrong. Once cavies mate, there is a noticeable quiet period afterwards. (Know Before Feeding! 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. If so then this video will help answer all of your questions. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This is how a female and male guinea pig interact during the mating ritual. Shoulders when she & # x27 ; s guinea pig pregnancy week by week pictures a set number of pups: shorter... 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