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 . At the end of the middle stage, the movement of the babies will become visible under the skin. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If labor takes much longer than 20 minutes, she may require emergency medical attention. They will lick and lick till you think she is trying to remove their fur. 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. Water breaking. Sometimes, small particles of fecal matter or meconium appear in the discharge. If we want to know if our guinea pig is pregnant, we can look for the following signs: Weight gain: this is the first physical sign of pregnancy. The feeding of a pregnant guinea pig should also include the following modifications: Calcium enriched hay as pregnancy increases guinea pig calcium requirements. How To Know when a pig is going into labor. 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. This is easily detectable by squeezing the teats. That is normal. One of the clear signs that your guinea pig is pregnant is if she starts to take on the shape of a pear. With a contraction, she will reach under her like she is getting a poop to eat, and pull the baby out. Has the shivering and leg movement ceased? All previously stated animals of which I have experience build nests of some sort. She eats those to keep predators from discovering the babies. But these little critters also mature early both physically and sexually. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 hours, most often during night hours. Around 12 hours before delivery the mammary glands start to produce milk. Try and make sure that the afterbirths have been delivered. During pregnancy, the cervix stays closed and plugged up with mucus (aptly called the "mucus plug"). Your vet may likewise hear the piglets pulses in the sows mid-region. My 14 month old sow, Marmalade, is definenantly pregnant. It's your body's way of protecting your baby . How old do guinea pigs have to be to breed? JavaScript is disabled. I found out that my marvoulus Marmalade was with the male "Chester" from the end of October until 2 days before I picked her up. You should observe the behavior of the other guinea pigs as well. On rare occasions, it means that the guinea pig is suffering from a sickness. After the seventh week, the animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy. Normally, the pregnancy period lasts between 63 and 70 days. In the presence of a male, the female changes her back (spine) which she arches downwards. A List of Safe, Healthy Chewables for your Cavies, 15 Things to Know Before Adopting Guinea Pigs, 300+ Adorable Guinea Pig Names For Your New Piggy Pal(s). For a smooth delivery, the first procreation should happen between three and seven months of age. 4. We'll discuss all the things you need to know about guinea pig pregnancy. Contractions that range from mild (during early labor) to strong (during active labor) Effacementthinning of the cervix. Much like other Rodentia and those of the Lagomorpha species, guinea pigs have pearly whites that will grow without end in sight something that can be a serious health problem, Read More What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? What you're looking at in the photo above is the clitoral hood of a gilt, that is to say a female pig who has not yet had a litter. Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months of age. I even have an emergency vet lined up if needed. This is 59 days from exposure. Finally, should you choose to get your cavies spayed or neutered, seek out a vet who has experience with guinea pig surgeries.. (Benefits, Risks, Servings & FAQs), Baytril For Guinea Pigs (Side Effects, Efficacy, Dosage & FAQs), Signs Your Guinea Pig Hates You (Top 7 & And How to Fix It). If you know and accept the risks, then read on to become familiar with the stages of pregnancy. Most vets recommend that whenever your female guinea pig is gaining weight to bring her for a pregnancy check-up. Your vet may confirm the pregnancy through physical examination, and if required, may suggest getting an ultrasound done. In reality, close to 20% of expectant sows die while giving birth. In the event that you notice any of these signs, at that point, our recommendation is to take your guinea pig to the vet. The large and growing fetuses can cause a fast breakdown of fats even if the sow hasnt eaten for a brief period of time. Sometimes, other female piggies on heat may pose a great risk due to hormonal changes. She also needs extra vitamin C; you can give at least 10mg orally. Legitimate consideration and cautious observing are basic to improve the chances of an effective conveyance. If several fetuses are existing, you will feel several bumps spaced across her womb, each of the same size. . A neutered male guinea pig can still impregnate a female. She ate her lettus leaf and a small piece of pear that I gave her about 20 min ago. Other guinea pigs sometimes act differently around pregnant specimens. By and large, you can permit the pregnancy to continue regularly, yet ensure you have a vet available in the event that there are complexities. Hello,Normal guinea pig labor is short with few signs that it is going on. Although breeding guinea pigs is not highly recommended, ensure that your pet feeds well and stays in a clean environment throughout the process. If the female disproves of her suitor, then she will snap at or bite him to chase him away. But do you really understand what it takes to care for these fluffy friends? As she goes into labor she will release out a cry. I would only give one 1 inch cube of fruit per week. 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. Prior to pregnancy, the two lovebirds should mate. An ultrasound output can picture precisely what the knocks are and affirm a pregnancy. To limit hazard, empower practice and forestall weight while guaranteeing satisfactory sustenance and water is promptly accessible. For instance, a 2 Ibs sow may augment up to 4 Ibs by the end of the pregnancy. Usually, a normal labor process lasts not more than 10 minutes. The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. This data is then converted into a picture. The person I got her from lied to me about her being with a male. They should be kept in tranquil surroundings and fed plenty of vegetables. You should give bigger amounts of water to the mother to be as she will frequently drink more than ordinary. 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). It is one of the first physical signs your guinea pig is pregnant shows. A voracious appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is pregnant. Every pregnancy varies from individual to individual but theres definitely a silver lining, just as with any other space. A cesarian section surgery will likely be necessary.. The majority of guinea pigs give birth during daylight. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. Then she will start to clean off the sac from the face, then the body of the baby. Feed your guinea pig horse feed rather than timothy feed with the goal that she gets more protein and calcium. The guinea pigs weight increase starts with a few grams per day. 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. 2. Sometimes even surgery must be performed to save the mothers life. Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, and usually the mother removes it and eats it. Panting (Fast Breathing) Panting or fast breathing in dogs giving birth occurs due to various reasons. It can be quite a tough task as their hunger seems to be veritably insatiable! The early stage consists of the first few days after mating. Do not keep pregnant guinea pigs in multi-level cages/hutches as their balance will be impaired by pregnancy, and in the later stages of pregnancy they may not be able to get up to the higher tiers. Hence, when housed together, a guinea pig pregnancy can occur very early and very often.. The truth is, breeding guinea pigs is dangerous for your female piggy and most vets discourage breeding for several valid reasons. In the event of a high-risk guinea pig pregnancy, they can also ensure a safe environment to deliver the pups successfully.. Luckily, the stages of a successful pregnancy are predictable and consistent, making caring for your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward. The estrous cycle takes 21 days. Most likely, the substance is the first stool coming from the piglet inside the womb. If you notice a pup with the sac remaining over its face, break the membrane open with your finger nail. Keep the fruit limited to a very small piece each week. What are some more signs that she is going to go into labor??? Find The Best Deals on Your Favorite guinea pig Products and Save! Although guinea pigs do not bleed much while giving birth, you should notice some discharge for the next five days. Its important to know the exact stage of the pregnancy since you need to give different medicines, food supplies, a quantity of food and water according to each stage. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. 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 guinea pig's heat cycle lasts 16 days. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. Im worried about my sow she is pregnant and can feel pups move she is in her own cage with others right by her. Their gestational period may last between 59 - 72 days. Subscribe to our newsletter and get access to our free small pet care printables! Is It Safe to Breed Cavies? After the commotion of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on the sow. My name is Tim Rhodes and I'm a guinea pig enthusiast through thick and thin. A pregnant guinea will start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy propels. The sow will give a distinctive groan when she is going into labor and the first baby will normally appear after 5 minutes of . If her body is metabolizing fat, it will generate ketones, which you can measure with strips for her urine. Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. Your email address will not be published. Risk reduction includes preventing obesity in the mother guinea pig and providing adequate energy in the diet late in gestation. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. Doing so can lead to pregnancy, The cavy is eating and/or drinking more than usual.. The ultrasound test includes cutting a little square of hiding and applying gel to the uncovered skin. 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. 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. Typically, breeding reduces the lifespan of female cavies. Generally, people adopt small babies as pets, who eventually grow up and reach the age of sexual maturity and reproduction. Lumps may represent piglets, but they can also stand for health problems such as cysts so its a good idea to take them to the vets for a checkup, or advice on how the pregnancy is advancing and health advice. However, if youre still in the process of deciding whether to breed her, then heed our advice to not breed her. Sometimes, the babies come so fast that the Mom has no time to tend to each baby. After you dry it off, put it back down beside the Mom. Cessation of this agitated behavior indicates labor has begun. A veterinarian will examine your guinea pig and distinguish between the various knots and knocks, something that you will be unable to do. Over-feeding her will result in extra fat and moving difficulties in the later stages. It is wise to make the pregnancy journey less cumbersome by providing the sow with a comfortable enclosure away from others. Complexities are more likely if your pig is more seasoned or more youthful or has not conceived an offspring beforehand. 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. You most likely wont be able to do this without a proper instrument, as she will only probably put on a few grams per day. Some factors like body size, breed and number of fetuses affect the pig gestation period or length. Although you need to be careful not to apply any pressure to the region. Lindsay Pereira is a pet-lovin Montral-based writer whos a mommy to Muffy, a grumpy guinea pig with a serious attitude problem, the recently departed Miss Lilly, who is happily nibbling hay in guinea pig heaven. This gilt's pregnancy indicator is pointing up. Enriching the guinea pigs diet with kale, broccoli, green peppers, and parsley is also advised. Some guinea pigs have swirls of long hair while others have a coat of soft, short hair. The gestation period for a guinea pig can be as short as 59 days and as long as 73; the average is 63 days. She does so, as well, with the placenta. A List of Safe, Healthy Chewables for your CaviesContinue, Are you searching for an awesome guinea-pig-themed gift? Once the pups come out, the mother licks and devours the fetal substances plus the placenta. Right now she is munching her Timothy hay, so I just keep an eye on herI just want to know if I can get a full nights sleep tonightlol. Some of the most common signs include: Lumps in the belly: A pregnant female, similar to most mammals, will have an enlarged belly and a group formed of aggregated cells (nodules or lumps) in her belly, which is a sign of a growing fetus. Strong, frequent contractions. 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. But to anyone who has thought of breeding.DON'T!!! She could likewise become pregnant only two hours after she delivers an offspring. Note that your guinea requires a balanced diet more than ever. Thus, an increased desire for food may not always indicate pregnancy. All cavies are social creatures that like to live in gatherings. Generally, this happens after the last little one makes its way out. As a proud piggie parent, it is both your duty and privilege to oversee your guineas nutrition and keep them healthy, happy, and well-fed. During the last pregnancy stages, pregnant piggies tend to overeat. In some cases, you may also be able to feel guinea pig fetuses inside your pet's stomach. Pig enthusiast through thick and thin social creatures that like to live in gatherings female cavies out! Her being with a few grams per day both physically and sexually only two hours after she delivers offspring! Commotion of a pregnant guinea will start to produce milk may augment up 4. 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Few signs that she is going into labor inch cube of fruit week... Chewables for your female piggy and most vets recommend that whenever your female guinea pig to... Birth occurs due to hormonal changes are good signs that it is going on of...