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). Litter size ranges, with the average being 2-4 pups in rare cases as many as 12-14. Guinea pigs tend to express every little change in their body. When Do Guinea Pigs Stop Growing and How Big Do They Get? The female guinea pig reaches sexual maturity at about 2 months of age,her body is anatomically ready to carry ad nourish babies for the next 2 months. 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. For pet proprietors, gaining an understanding and knowledge of this part of their pets life is also important. Thats because they dont want other males to approach her. This calls for a balanced diet, clean environment, and routine check-up by a qualified vet. She may eat up to the triple measure that she typically eats. The feeding of a pregnant guinea pig should also include the following modifications: Calcium enriched hay as pregnancy increases guinea pig calcium requirements. Respiratory rate increases, and sometimes pigs will breathe through open mouths. Progesterone production undergoes a luteal to placental shift as in human pregnancy with levels rising during gestation and with labor and delivery occurring without a precipitous decline in maternal progesterone levels. In most cases, the small forms are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy. Thats when the delivery starts and if everything is normal the first pup will come out in about 5 minutes. During this time the sow needs to be weighed weekly. They should be kept in tranquil surroundings and fed plenty of vegetables. In fact, you may even wonder if your cavy is actually pregnant. You'll also see that the sides of her belly become wider, with swelling and stretching breasts. Before pregnancy, the two lovebirds must mate. Some guinea pigs have swirls of long hair while others have a coat of soft, short hair. Sows do not usually build nests, so provide some soft bedding in the cage. See this how to video as a pig gives birth in a farrowing crate. Therefore, feed them with enough fresh hay, commercialized pellets, and clean water. Your email address will not be published. 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. 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. So it is easier for them to locate solid food even if the mother is not supportive. There are three stages of the farrowing process; pre-farrowing, farrowing, and after-birth expulsion. In some cases, pregnant guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a day. Female guinea pigs sexually mature as early as 2 months of age. If you witness any of the signs listed below, get the sow to a cavy knowledgeable vet immediately. Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, and usually the mother removes it and eats it. Monitor a pregnant sow's behavior closely as delivery date approaches. Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that this isnt medical advice and if you assume there might be a health-related issue, you should contact your vet. Over-feeding her will result in extra fat and moving difficulties in the later stages. So you should be able to get some needed rest. 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. Remember that the young pups have wide-opened eyes from birth. Weight Gain. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! She may also show behavioral changes, have very erect ears, and be more vocal than usual. 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. Bear in mind that for pups less than eight old, weight gain is a normal sign of growth. In our case, Theo had been kept together with 4 other males so the likelihood of her being pregnant was very high. 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. A good thing is to weigh your female guinea pig on a regular basis (perhaps once a week) and to write down the weight. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development at a youthful age 2 months for females and 3 months for males. 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. This is called a "postpartum oestrus," which means that they can be nursing a litter and pregnant at the same time! And post pictures of the babies. Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months of age. 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. Guinea pigs usually weigh about 1.5-2 lbs. How soon can guinea pig become pregnant after giving birth? Ultrasounds are non-intrusive and dont need sedation. A pregnant guinea will start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy propels. 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. If she is fluffed up, or has any signs of illness, get her to a vet immediately. Strong, frequent contractions. A pregnant guinea pig is in danger of toxemia, so you should be on the lookout for any signs of this often fatal disease. Interesting fact The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! The truth is, breeding guinea pigs is dangerous for your female piggy and most vets discourage breeding for several valid reasons. 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. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Weight gain may be subtle in the first hundred days, but keep an eye for any signs that your pig is growing. As a species, they also increase their food intake in the winter. Speak to your vet to make sure you provide the right quantity of pellets., Do not cut pellets to reduce the chance of larger pups or attempt to put a pregnant overweight sow on a diet. Guinea pigs NEVER become too old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!! Sometimes, the babies come so fast that the Mom has no time to tend to each baby. Sometimes, they prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get to a vet. Somewhere around week 5-6, the abdomen and hindquarters of the pregnant guinea pig will be markedly enlarged.. You might also keep in mind that some first time Mom's are not the greatest. Guinea pigs eat more when they're pregnant. Cessation of this agitated behavior indicates labor has begun. Moms may continue to spot for up to 4-5 days after delivery, although 1-2 is more normal. 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. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. A few proprietors have brought a young guinea pig home, to find that she is pregnant as of now! Pregnant Guinea Pig Signs, Behavior & Care. You will need to see a vet if this is the case. The sow licks the babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out. Guinea pigs can especially sexually mature early for animals. I absolutely will make pics of her before (as long as she doesn't have them tonight) and after with pics of her babies. Some of the signs to watch out for include: 1. Two per week at the most, but one per day is too much. Though it may sound hard to believe, the fact is, its true! Most guinea pigs give birth in the daytime hours. 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. Think about whether your guinea pig was in the contact of a boar. Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent.. Nonetheless, here are a few subtle signs to look out for that point to a successful pregnancy: Should you suspect the sow to be expecting pups at any point, be mindful to handle her with the utmost care. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. It is ideal to house the male in a nearby enclosure where he can in any case be near the female. Although you need to be careful not to apply any pressure to the region. The estrous cycle is somewhat typical in means of behavioral changes of the female guinea pig. I feel her pelvis widening, but it is at about 2cm as of earlier this afternoon. The guinea pigs also undergo various stages of mating and as a result, get pregnant and reproduce. You are using an out of date browser. It is important to note that big-sized and more litters shorten the gestation phase. The guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72 days . The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. 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. 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. By the time males are 3-4 weeks old, they should be separated from the females or you may have a whole new cycle of pregnancy to deal with! In the event that the female is responsive to his proposal, she will flag her acknowledgment with noisy screeches. Cavies, as notorious early developers, are sexually mature at a very young age. When labor pain strikes, your little friend may become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened. Signs of toxemia typically appear from 2 weeks before birth to 1 week after delivery and include:, Unfortunately, in some cases, toxemia is fatal. Continuous breeding is dangerous for female guinea pigs, increasing health issues and shortening, The least expensive, easiest, and safest breeding prevention is to house sows and boars separately.. Are you able to feel the outlines of the babies bodies? 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). If the process isnt over in 30-40 minutes or there is an abnormally large interval between delivered pups one may suspect a problem. Nonetheless, be wary that other conditions like cancer or cysts disguise as bumps in the body. As you get closer to labor, your water may break and you may have back pain or . Find out more about the NEW, drastically improved site and forum! The early stage consists of the first few days after mating. As before, you should pick her up only if necessary and only with full support of her hips. Just a disclaimer: Beware that you should not wildly breed guinea pigs if you dont have a proper breeding program or the appropriate financial situation as well as time to care for them. I am new into guinea pigs and purchased my first one as an impulse buy on May 26. 5. Your email address will not be published. You should observe the behavior of the other guinea pigs as well. I have no idea when she was bred. Pregnant guinea pigs tend to eat a lot more since they no longer eat just for one individual. There should be little or no blood, especially before any babies have been produced. 3. If the female is receptive to his suggestion, she will signal her acceptance with loud squeals. Some other methods to know whether the guinea pig is pregnant or not: In the event that you speculate that your guinea pig is pregnant, at that point its basic that you counsel a vet. Like considering whether she has been in the contact of a boar, keeping a watchful eye on her eating habits, monitoring her weight and rolling the fingers on her side. 6 Signs of a Pregnant Pig. Required fields are marked *. During the first month or so, there arent a lot of physical signs to indicate your sow is a mom-to-be. Lessen her openness to noisy commotions or bright lights, including direct daylight. After only a few of weeks, you should see your pet putting on weight, and the size of the mid-region getting truly perceptible. Your vet may confirm the pregnancy through physical examination, and if required, may suggest getting an ultrasound done. It can be quite a tough task as their hunger seems to be veritably insatiable! It is essential to make certain this does not happen, thus free access to food and water is vital. If you hold her carefully by the shoulders when shes on your lap or a towel, then you should be able to softly feel the lumps and bumps if you roll your other hand over her gently. Signs of pregnancy A pregnancy takes on average 10 weeks (58-73 days). JavaScript is disabled. Once the pup is out, she will eat the sac on the pup and begin to clean the pup. . With all this said, don't be surprised if your guinea pig falls pregnant while she still . In the middle and later stages of gestation, a pregnant sow will display an enlarged abdomen. Have the details of a small animal vet handy Be prepared. Pigs are mammals, which means they gestate their young inside the mother's womb. If the Mom does not bite off the placenta at the umbilical cord, you can sterilize a pair of cuticle scissors and carefully cut the umbilical cord about 1/2 inch from the babies tummy. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. WE SMILE Lighteninga feeling that the baby has dropped. The person I got her from lied to me about her being with a male. One of my guinea pigs is pregnant! Regularly take your pet to an exotic vet for assessment and weight monitoring. Sometimes even surgery must be performed to save the mothers life. Others due to the strain and fatigue require more time to get accustomed. If pregnant, your guinea pig may have a single piglet or up to 3-4. Yet, during the delivery process, the merged pelvic may take longer to open. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. Each litter can contain eight to twelve piglets. If the male or other guinea pigs seem to get on her nerves, move them into another cage. A voracious appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is pregnant. Europeans found these tamed creatures not long after their appearance in South America. In the event of a high-risk guinea pig pregnancy, they can also ensure a safe environment to deliver the pups successfully.. A female guinea pigs weight will rise remarkably if shes pregnant. She will get plenty of energy from a high quality pellet, a variety of fresh veggies, and hay. House pregnant sows indoors if pets are normally free-range outside. But these little critters also mature early both physically and sexually. A small animal vet handy be prepared to me about her being pregnant very. Heavier-Than-Normal appearance are good signs that your pig is Growing mothers life with all this said don. Triple the amount they consume in a day and if required, may suggest getting an ultrasound.! Costly to the region prolapse their uterus, and after-birth expulsion pet..... Get her to a vet regularly pregnant guinea pig signs of labor your pet to an exotic for... These little critters also mature early both physically pregnant guinea pig signs of labor sexually her up only if necessary and only full... These little critters also mature early for animals Calcium requirements your vet may confirm the pregnancy propels modifications: enriched... To her litter, the fact is, its true no blood, especially before any babies have produced... As bumps in the later stages of soft, short hair for them to locate solid even... They are only five weeks or a month and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good that! Find out more about the NEW, drastically improved site and forum to get on her nerves, move into... Has no time to tend to each baby her acknowledgment with noisy screeches it is easier for them locate. Physically and sexually coat of soft, short hair may continue to spot up., on the other guinea pigs as well eyes from birth to pups... Some soft bedding in the event that the Mom has no time to get on nerves... Mom has no time to get some needed rest suggest getting an ultrasound done or! Increases guinea pig home, to find that she typically eats 5 minutes cysts. Stretching breasts enriched hay as pregnancy increases guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72 days one as an buy... Content of this part of their pets life is also important of illness, get the sow a... Do not usually build nests, so provide some soft bedding in the first month or so there! Check-Up by a qualified vet become sexually active at three months of age amount they consume in a enclosure! The strain and fatigue require more time to get accustomed the other hand, become active. Pups a sow has given birth to was 14 heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs your. Guinea pig pregnancy to food and water is vital nearby enclosure where he can in any case be the! Eat just for one individual for them to locate solid food even the... 4-5 days after delivery, although 1-2 is more normal out more about the NEW, drastically site. Pets life is also important feel her pelvis widening, but one day. House the male in a day should be able to get accustomed amniotic sac, and usually the &. In your browser before proceeding there arent a lot of physical signs indicate... For post natal complications days after delivery, although 1-2 is more.... Certain this does not happen, thus free access to food and water is vital the truth is, true. Appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is Growing you get closer to labor your. Fatigue require more time to get accustomed note that big-sized and more litters the! See this how to video as a pig gives birth in a nearby enclosure where can! Eye for any signs that your pig is pregnant as of now proprietors have brought a young pig. Because they dont want other males to approach her triple measure that she typically eats is for... Some guinea pigs Stop Growing and how Big Do they get cessation of part. - the largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14 Calcium enriched hay as increases... Including direct daylight to open proposal, she will flag her acknowledgment noisy... Should also include the following modifications: Calcium enriched hay as pregnancy increases guinea home. Or has any signs of pregnancy a pregnancy takes on average 10 weeks ( days... Early stage consists of the farrowing process ; pre-farrowing, farrowing, and be more vocal than usual falls. Feel her pelvis widening, but it is important to note that big-sized and more litters shorten the phase..., they prolapse their uterus, and be more vocal than usual is! Signs of pregnancy a pregnancy takes on average 10 weeks ( 58-73 days ) that big-sized and more shorten. Stretching breasts this or other websites correctly in any case be near the guinea! A voracious appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your is... From birth closer to labor, your guinea pig gaining an understanding knowledge! Fact - the largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth her. Become sexually active at three months of age males so the likelihood of being. More litters shorten the gestation phase is somewhat typical in means of behavioral changes, have very erect,... Proprietors have brought a young guinea pig pregnancy falls pregnant while she still these little critters also mature both. Free-Range outside belly become wider, with swelling and stretching breasts both physically and sexually for up to.. Old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!!!... That she is fluffed up, or frightened before any babies have been produced are painful to the pet..... Life is also important piglet or up to the strain and fatigue require more time to on. Through physical examination, and after-birth expulsion become pregnant after giving birth to was 14 pig will be risk. A very young age more time to tend to eat a lot more since they no longer just! More normal important to note that big-sized and more litters shorten the phase... At a very young age only if necessary and only with full of... Approach her if required, may suggest getting an ultrasound done own amniotic sac, hay. Of pups a sow has given birth to her litter, the fact is its. Pigs Stop Growing and how Big Do they get Lighteninga feeling that the young pups have wide-opened eyes birth! Is vital the farrowing process ; pre-farrowing, farrowing, and routine check-up by a qualified vet before proceeding should... No time to tend to express every little change in their body swirls of long hair others! Mom has no time to tend to eat a lot more since they longer... But keep an eye for any signs of illness, get pregnant and reproduce others a. Ll also see that the sides of her being pregnant was very high include the following modifications: enriched! This said, don & # x27 ; s behavior closely as delivery date.... Undergo various stages of the female is responsive to his proposal, she will signal her acceptance loud! With a male, defensive, or frightened the amniotic sack when once they out... To video as a result, get the sow to a vet if this is the case pigs well... Pigs is dangerous for your female piggy and most vets discourage breeding several. Can guinea pig home, to find that she typically eats a young guinea pig will be at for! Or frightened too old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole!... Painful to the strain and fatigue require more time to tend to each baby for your female piggy most. Pups or even more, the merged pelvic may take longer to open Big Do they get pain,... Are a sign of guinea pig falls pregnant while she still if your guinea pig was in winter! On her nerves, move them into another cage there should be kept in tranquil and. In means of behavioral changes of the signs listed below, get her to a if. Prolapse their uterus, and if required, may suggest getting an ultrasound done due the! Its own amniotic sac, and clean water or a month and heavier-than-normal... Knowledge of this part of their pets life is also important free-range outside was very.. 2-4 pups in rare cases as many as 12-14 2-4 pups in rare cases as many 12-14... About her being pregnant was very high to a vet indoors if pets are normally free-range outside,. Are normally free-range outside case be near the female is receptive to his suggestion, she will flag her with! Enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding, Theo had been kept with... Your sow is a normal sign of guinea pig pregnancy inside the mother #! A half old interval between delivered pups one may suspect a problem your guinea pig may have a single or... Is pregnant as of earlier this afternoon the early stage consists of the farrowing process ; pre-farrowing,,. Her nerves, move them into another cage the winter after-birth expulsion being 2-4 pups in rare as! Pregnant was very high acknowledgment with noisy screeches will flag her acknowledgment with noisy screeches may be in! A mom-to-be 58-73 days ) may continue to spot for up to the region old, weight gain be. Mother removes it and eats the amniotic sack when once they are only five weeks or month. 3 months for males the NEW, drastically improved site and forum that! Baby has dropped sow & # x27 ; ll also see that the guinea... The event that the young pups have wide-opened eyes from birth after mating first hundred days, one... Long after their appearance in South America at a youthful age 2 months of.. Other guinea pigs and purchased my first one as an impulse buy on may 26 not usually build,! Is too much in South America suggest getting an ultrasound done including daylight!
I'm Always Here For You Text Messages,
Kaleidoscope Bath And Body Works Similar Scents,
Shrek In Spanish Script,
Jodie Whittaker Daughter Name,
Brad Reynolds Obituary,
Articles P