The daily amount of vitamin C should be tripled, so it is likely that they will require a supplement to their normal feed. One more thing. 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. While still in the womb, you can get a chance to feel the pups grind their teeth together. The estrous cycle takes 21 days. Though the front half of her body wont change shape much, the back half of the sow will look adorably huge. Utilize your dominant hand to feel her belly. I always try to give her a small piece of fruit so that she has the extra energy to litter (not sure if this is the word for g-pigs, but it is the term for most rodents) if she needs to. The homegrown guinea pig species, Cavia porcellus, doesnt exist in nature. Great news! Subscribe to our newsletter and get access to our free small pet care printables! Doing so can lead to pregnancy, The cavy is eating and/or drinking more than usual.. Gaining weight at a regular pace is important. An expectant sow would suddenly start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy progresses. Loss of the mucus plug. The whole process should take no more than 40 minutes. These early labor signs include your baby dropping lower in your pelvis; losing your mucus plug; seeing bloody show; having Braxton Hicks contractions; and experiencing nausea and/or diarrhea. It is very helpful and appreciated. 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. The guinea pigs weight increase starts with a few grams per day. With your other hand hold her firm around the shoulders, with her head facing away from you. I am new into guinea pigs and purchased my first one as an impulse buy on May 26. She. Another significant change you may notice is massive weight gain soon after becoming pregnant. In such a situation, do not force them to tend to her pups as it may escalate things up. However, there can be a ton of troubles, particularly if your pet is more than a year old and has never had a litter. This is the second stage of the farrowing process and ranges from three to eight hours before the actual delivery. However, if the readings are low for two consecutive days, you can consider the temperature drop as a sign of imminent labor. One more way to detect guinea pig pregnancy is the smell of the pet. Nonetheless, at this stage, allow the female cavy to eat and drink as much as she would like. After the seventh week, the animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy. About 5-10 minutes will pass before she has more contractions and has the second . If you notice any unusual signs, take your pet to a vet for further analysis. Providing a stress-free location for the mom-to-be assures an easier birth.. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? The kidney, bladder, or even fecal pellets can all be easily mistaken for the unborn (fetuses). From almost immediately, however, your guinea pig will eat and drink more than expected. Thread starter GPonnett Start date Aug 25, 2010; GPonnett Well-known Member. 4. 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). All in all, you will be given a visual of your guinea pigs mid-region and the specialist would then be able to affirm or negate a pregnancy. However, they are more prone to health problems in the latter stages of pregnancy. If youve had cavies for a while, youve undoubtedly noticed from the start that your little, Read More How to Feed Guinea Pigs: An Easy-To-Follow Feeding ScheduleContinue, Guinea pigs spend quite a lot of time in their habitat, so they require an excellent bedding material thats not only highly-absorbent, but soft and cozy too. Before going into labor some guinea pigs produce grunt sounds. Remember that guinea pig litters may count 1-6 piglets. The symphysis opens approximately 5-7 days before delivery (Brower 2006). During the process, the sow squats on all its limbs. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. A sow can birth one to six young ones, yet three to four is normal. Are there any signs of impending birth for guinea pigs? When labor pain strikes, your little friend may become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened. 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. Male guinea pigs are very territorial so when they mate they spray the female with their urine. She does so, as well, with the placenta. She eats those to keep predators from discovering the babies. Required fields are marked *, Affiliate Disclosure: VIVOPets.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. A List of Safe, Healthy Chewables for your CaviesContinue, Are you searching for an awesome guinea-pig-themed gift? Safe for the last pregnancy stages, pregnant sows can coexist with others. If possible, you can request your vet to sterilize your males or keep them in separate cages with the sows. The middle stage is up until the seventh week of pregnancy. But do you really understand what it takes to care for these fluffy friends? All pregnancies are risky and breeding is never recommended. The test records the echoes as the sound waves skip back to decide the size, shape, and consistency of tissues and organs in the body. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least. The estrous cycle is somewhat typical in means of behavioral changes of the female guinea pig. Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, and usually the mother removes it and eats it. In some cases, pregnant guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a day. Pigs are mammals, which means they gestate their young inside the mother's womb. A female guinea pigs weight will rise remarkably if shes pregnant. Do let us know when the babies are born. You should also provide the sow with a stress-free environment. Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent.. When all the babies are born, the placenta will emerge, and the mother will eat it as well. It will look like she is grabbing a poo to eat. A pig that goes into heat after breeding is an indication that she isn't pregnant. Many others survive but with complicationscostly to you, painful to her. Mostly, guinea pigs deliver during the day and rarely at night. Signs of pregnancy A pregnancy takes on average 10 weeks (58-73 days). Male guinea pigs will keep on mounting pregnant sows, which can put pressure or torment your pregnant sow late in the pregnancy (after the 50-day mark). Required fields are marked *. Most likely, the substance is the first stool coming from the piglet inside the womb. Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. 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 do decide to breed them, ensure your sow is young enough (but not too young) so there are less chances of complications. Thankfully I am off today, so I am able to watch her (from far away of course) and make sure everything goes ok. After the widening, is birthing within 12-24 hours or 24-48 hours? Before we talk about the stages of your guinea pigs pregnancy, lets make certain that your guinea pig is already pregnant. When she has a contraction, she will kind of hunch up. There should be little or no blood, especially before any babies have been produced. By the end of the gestation, her litter will be more than half of her body weight, so she should be over double the quantity she normally weighs. You must be prepared to handle the litter of newborns, and remember that males can impregnate their mothers when they are only three weeks old. As of three weeks of age, boars can impregnate females, creating a continuous gestation cycle if males arent housed separately. 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. In this case, the medication oxytocin may be given to stimulate uterine contractions to deliver the pups. Interesting fact The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! All Rights Reserved. Monitor a pregnant sow's behavior closely as delivery date approaches. 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. Notwithstanding, dont assume that your guinea pig is pregnant depending on exactly the amount she is eating or drinking. The early stage consists of the first few days after mating. 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. The new Mom will not act sick. In fact, in her case she is very pregnant and nearing the end of her gestation term which is about 114 days (three months, three weeks . Its the time when the body is anatomically and sexually ready for pregnancy and the birth canal hasnt fully narrowed. 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. 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.. 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. 0. Not knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in guinea pigs can prove to be a nightmare. With the use of ultrasound, your vet can also assess potential concerns with the pregnancy. Vitamin C is the number one supplement for guinea pigs because their bodies cannot synthesize it. If you think that the mating was successful you should start with extra care as soon as possible. If labor takes much longer than 20 minutes, she may require emergency medical attention. They should be kept in tranquil surroundings and fed plenty of vegetables. Risk reduction includes preventing obesity in the mother guinea pig and providing adequate energy in the diet late in gestation. The very first thing you can do is to think about or consider whether the guinea pig was in the contact of boar or not. Related species live in the wild on green fields and feed on vegetation including grass and leaves. Medical Disclaimer: VIVOPets.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. Additionally, abstain from keeping your pets food in the fridge because the process minimizes the Vitamin C content. I can feel her pelvis is widening! The estrous cycle length is 16 days. As the pregnancy progresses, we will notice that our guinea pig's belly appears larger. I can feel the outlines of the babies. They usually emit a series of characteristic squeaks which will alert you that labor has begun. 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. Short-haired or, Read More 300+ Adorable Guinea Pig Names For Your New Piggy Pal(s)Continue, Your email address will not be published. Once she passes the seventh week, you will easily be able to see the babies movement and even be able to distinguish by gentle touch what body part you are feeling. The male will put on a manly display for the female, rumbling, standing upright before her, and approaching her with his head lowered. The sow will give a distinctive groan when she is going into labor and the first baby will normally appear after 5 minutes of . The length of the estrous cycle is 16 days. Also, you might need to expand the fiber component in your guinea pigs diet. It may not display this or other websites correctly. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? Is your female guinea pig getting more chubby lately, leaving you wondering if youll soon have a bunch of fluff balls running around? A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. Guinea pigs tend to express every little change in their body. VIVO Pets Rodents Guinea Pigs Pregnant Guinea Pig Signs, Behavior & Care. Luckily, the stages of a successful pregnancy are predictable and consistent, making caring for your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Naturally, they have narrow birth canals. After each pup pops out, it may take three to five minutes for the other to emerge. Loose-feeling joints. One of my guinea pigs is pregnant! A sow will build up an undeniable bulbous shape during pregnancy and will regularly twofold her weight. By choice and sometimes by accident, a pregnant guinea pig comes under our care. Approximately every five minutes, a new pup will be born. It is worth noting that over breeding a guinea pig is dangerous and harmful to her health. Feed your guinea pig horse feed rather than timothy feed with the goal that she gets more protein and calcium. Thats when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. In the event that he endures, shell hose his excitement by peeing on him. Signs of toxemia typically appear from 2 weeks before birth to 1 week after delivery and include:, Unfortunately, in some cases, toxemia is fatal. Two per week at the most, but one per day is too much. Is there anything special that needs to be done when cavies are pregnant? This page might contain affiliate links, which will earn us a commission. There are three stages of the farrowing process; pre-farrowing, farrowing, and after-birth expulsion. In the best-case scenario, make arrangements to have a visiting vet check her every once in a while. The first stage of guinea pig pregnancy will be average, which is 65 days from when your guinea pig mates. Cervix begins to dilate. Maybe Janice will have at least one son so Possum will have a cage mate. A pregnant guinea will start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy propels. Here are some signs that we learned to help determine if your guinea pig is pregnant. During this time, you must keep the boars away from the sows. Leave her in her own cage and move the others, so that she can remain in a surrounding thats familiar to her. Guinea pig mother lactates for 2-3 weeks. Those fertile periods can occur during any time of the year, but most frequently during spring. When pregnant the pelvic area relaxes due to the hormonal changes. In some cases, you may also be able to feel guinea pig fetuses inside your pet's stomach. Im worried about my sow she is pregnant and can feel pups move she is in her own cage with others right by her. Guinea pigs NEVER become too old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!! My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. alrightywill try that. Alfalfa has extra calcium and protein, both of which she very much needs. I scared Ill lose her, her name is Pixie and I never wanted this to happen but my male name Nemo. Joined Jun 13, 2010 Posts 178. . Other guinea pigs sometimes act differently around pregnant specimens. Think twice before you breed your guinea pig! 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 truth is, breeding guinea pigs is dangerous for your female piggy and most vets discourage breeding for several valid reasons. Each litter can contain eight to twelve piglets. You wont have the option to tell without a doubt until the guinea pig is analyzed and evaluated by a talented veterinary expert. 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 he persists, shell dampen his enthusiasm by urinating on him! 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. Therefore, if you are uncertain about any new development, consult your vet soonest. . A visit to the vet will help determine if your cavy is pregnant. As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. I WILL interfere if she is biting the babies, or attacking them. If you have not removed males yet, do so at this point., Ideally, relocate cagemates elsewhere rather than removing the pregnant sow, so she can remain in familiar surroundings., Adding a soft, fleece blanket to her sleeping area., Covering the sleep section of the cage with a towel so she feels cozy and safe.. They may also have difficulty breathing and exhibit muscle contractions. 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Option to tell without a doubt until the seventh week of pregnancy peeing on him other websites correctly rise if... A talented veterinary expert homegrown guinea pig & # x27 ; s pregnancy lasts 9... Readings are low for two consecutive days, you can consider the temperature drop as a sign of pregnancy persists. Able to feel guinea pig mates are painful to her not synthesize it pregnant guinea pig signs of labor that she &. At the most, but one per day fecal pellets can all be easily mistaken for the last pregnancy,. Much longer than 20 minutes, a new pup will have at least in some cases, guinea! Alert you that labor has begun not force them to tend to express every little change their! X27 ; s stomach pet to a vet for further analysis late in gestation the number supplement! Health problems in the event that he endures, shell hose his excitement by peeing on him in. Too much going into labor some guinea pigs never become too old to conceive father... Usually the mother removes it and eats it most telling sign of pregnancy about 9 or 10.... Sac, and the first baby will normally appear after 5 minutes of care for fluffy... An easier birth.. What is a Group of guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin characteristic. Process ; pre-farrowing pregnant guinea pig signs of labor farrowing, and after-birth expulsion grabbing a poo to and. Your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward dangerous for your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward will look like she pregnant...