guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week

guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week

A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. If you show negligence in ensuring that your guinea pig could handle the pregnancy, you are not only putting the mothers life at risk, but also that of the babies in the litter. By this time, your pet's pelvic bones will have widened enough to make way for the pups . This will keep your guinea pig from slipping. The period of time between getting pregnant and the birth is called the gestation period. % of people told us that this article helped them. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. I didnt know whether to hit him in the face for the negligence or to feel sorry for his loss. If you need to transport your guinea pig, never pick her up by her stomach as it can harm the unborn guinea pigs and the mother herself. Any one else has pets that you can't pet or hold ? As weeks go by, the mother's belly will become tighter and bulkier. The guinea pig may die during or after pregnancy due to complications during pregnancy or birth, or from toxemia after birth. But when she is, you have no choice but to give nothing less than the perfect. Rodent and rabbit medicine. If there is not an out-of-hours vet in your area, discuss this with your vet to come up with a plan. Avoid making changes to a pregnant sow's cage, like removing toys or putting the cage in a totally new location. So I am morally obligated to answer it. A female can give birth to up to 5 litters per year. Stage #2. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. ", How to Tell if Your Guinea Pig Is Pregnant, Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/guinea-pig-care, http://kb.rspca.org.au/I-think-my-guinea-pig-might-be-pregnant-what-should-I-do_354.html, http://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, https://petguineapigcare.com/breeding-babies/, saber si tu conejilla de Indias est preada, , Saber se seu Porquinho da ndia Fmea est Grvida, Erkennen ob dein Meerschweinchen trchtig ist, savoir si son cochon d'Inde attend des petits. The minute you are sure your guinea pig is pregnant, make sure you get it to your vets attention. Antreprenoriat BT. Do not crowd the mother have only one person in the room, but another on standby to make calls if necessary. The labor: You can hear distinct cries of her before she goes into labor. Four read more . But now that they are arrested in your home, you must be ready to step up and take responsibility. But still, to be on the safer side, having boundaries to the free space she runs is advised. ", Scary after reading all this. You should absolutely, Alfalfa hay is rich in calcium and protein. You vet may also be able to hear the piglets' heartbeats in the sow's abdomen. If they do mate, I will now. Use for phrases What a surprise this was. Support wikiHow by Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. So they recover pretty quickly. Make the introductions gradual as the adults will be a lot larger and could do them serious harm. Whilst a pup becoming stuck in the birth canal or born breech is common, never intervene yourself. Offer fresh vegetables every day. If the food has been stored for a while at the retail outlet, the chances are the vitamin C content is already negligible by the time you open the bag. So, it is vital that you know which stage of pregnancy your guinea pig is. As the pregnancy develops, carefully check the guinea pig twice a week for signs of illness, like crusty eyes or a patchy coat. Check to see that the guinea pig is eating and drinking; extra vitamin C may also be helpful. Once the pups are weaned, the mother should not require vitamin supplements anymore, unless you gave them to her as part of her regular diet anyway. The vet may try to manipulate the piglet into a position where the mother can pass it. Dystocia is a birth delivery problem where the unborn babies are not able to exit due because the mother is unable to dilate fully. . Never provide a multi-vitamin. What is the one thing that could get a guinea pig pregnant? Not knowing how to care for your furry pal when shes pregnant makes the whole thing scary, while knowing all about it makes the news heartening. This is because sows who are too young are at a greater risk of vitamin deficiencies during pregnancy. Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. o [ canine influenza] With cute little fingers, hair, and adorable teeth, open ears & eyes, they are just the apt definition of awesomeness! One, it could be your baby guinea pigs. Guinea pigs should be split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks old. While there are many hereditary diseases that you should foresee, there are several other basic tests too. Newborn guinea pigs weigh about 3.5 ounces (100 g). Outdoor time, again, with your availability to monitor. As if that is not bad news enough, even mothers suffer death immediately after delivery because of malnutrition. If you are concerned about the mother or have serious health worries about one of the pups contact a vet immediately, however. Selective feeding is where the guinea pig chooses the tastier bits of food over less tasty but often more nutritious foods. Another weird yet interesting way to find out pregnancy in guinea pigs is their smell! After the surgery, keep your pet quiet and separated from other guinea pigs while recovering. 4. Left untreated, both the mother and the pups will die. I told my mom and took her to the vet, and they said she was pregnant. no im not breeding i thought my guinea pig was a boy but he was actually a she and now shes pregnant . If you feel something and you're not certain what it is, then consult your veterinarian. Use your dominant hand to feel her belly. Guinea pig pregnancy, there is a fine line between it sounding scary and it sounding heartening. Although, guinea pigs tend to eat extra in cold weather too. Never offer the same vegetable two days running. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 . They should be kept at the same comfortable temperature as the adults. If you are not certain that the pups are weaned at 21 days, the males should be removed anyway to prevent pregnancy. Pocketpetcentral.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. Spaying or neutering of pet guinea pigs can be done by a veterinarian experienced in dealing with small animals, but the surgery can be expensive and does carry risks. To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! If you wanna make the process of pregnancy easier on your pal, you better read this section with maximum attention. Do not cage them. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. Even though the birthing can be handled by yourself, it is better to leave it to licensed veterinarians to avoid last minute complications. This prevents an excess of one particular mineral that might be contained in that vegetable. The expected duration of a pregnancy is at least 65 days, but it still relies on the number of offspring she is carrying. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. This could increase her stress and affect her eating and drinking habits. We might have made some serious mistakes out of ignorance. Of course, much much cuter! The mother has a single pair of mammary glands from which the newborns will nurse until about 3 weeks of age. If any of the pups is definitely alive, but is not alert or able to see or walk then contact your vet immediately. Its just the same in guinea pigs. If you are not prepared to care for them yourself, a more experienced guinea pig owner may be willing to take them or you may make the decision to have them put down. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. The trusted provider of veterinary information since 1955, Description and Physical Characteristics of Guinea Pigs, Last review/revision Nov 2019 | Modified Oct 2022. This information is then translated into an image. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Has She Interacted With an Unneutered Male? They interact to convey everything they feel, with distinct voices and physical gestures, irrespective of the nature of the emotion. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. The guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72 days. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. Place it in a sheltered part of the hutch, away from draughts. Even at such a small size, they have hair and are able to see and run. It could be a disease causing the accumulation of excess metabolic products.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Either way, one thing is pretty clear: You have to take your guinea pig to the vet. Clean the water bottle weekly to prevent the build-up of algae and bacteria. She died along with the litter. Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. Reduce handling to a minimum and don't handle her within two weeks of the birth. Since they no longer eat just for them, but also for the baby piggies inside, they eat more than the usual amount. Neutering a male is generally easier than spaying a female. 2 Observe her eating habits. This article has 20 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. Keep the two in separate cages until one of them is fixed. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. A female may accidentally injure the babies by squashing them and babies are prone to escaping cages, so check up on them regularly. But that does not mean that you should not give them access to outdoors. However, there are some signs you can watch for at home. 8 weeks after birth the guinea pig pups double their size by adding 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). But even if your locality has cold weather, it is still worth enough to take your guinea pig to the vet. The sow should gradually put on weight. Or if it is the bad news version of the lumps, the vet will help with treating it. Male guinea pigs can impregnate a female at as young as 3 weeks old and a female guinea pig can become pregnant at as young as 4 weeks old, so don't be doubtful if your guinea pig is pregnant due to age. This period starts from the first day of the last period before your baby is born. When you are sure the birth is over, you can assist the sow in cleaning by removing any stained bedding. The ultrasound, is a non-invasive procedure and can confirm the pregnancy. Read more about this in our helpful guide. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Individual pet owners should not attempt to breed guinea pigs, according to experts, for two very important reasons: Neutered boars should be kept separate from sows for four weeks after surgery. This article was very helpful in letting us know what to expect and what to do when our female goes into labor, etc. Guinea Pig Foot Spurs {Everything You Need To Know Here}, Basic QuestionsAbout Guinea Pig Pregnancy. In general, veterinarians do not recommend that individual pet owners attempt to breed guinea pigs. Increased fiber intake can prevent hair thinning, which is common in the last stage of pregnancy. But to a pregnant guinea pig, it does! All rights reserved. But consult with your vet first, just to be on the safer side. This is an emergency situation requiring an immediate c-section. This way you can keep track of her weight in order to determine any patterns of weight gain that may be indicative of a pregnancy. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. Keep a watchful eye on her eating habits. If your pet has too much of this, it can build up in urine and cause bladder stones. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. This is going to be all the more obvious if she was a very active female before she was pregnant. Support wikiHow by The estrous cycle length is 16 days. So, better to be overly cautious than to be negligent.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-sky-3','ezslot_22',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-sky-3-0'); Make sure you monitor your guinea pigs weight every week. Their physical and mental well-being are directly linked to their emotional state. While a female guinea pig is in estrus and he spends time with her overnight, results in her pregnancy. Breeding a female guinea pig for the first time after she reaches 8 months of age can be very dangerous because of the normal stiffening of the pubic symphysis (a joint of tough fibrous cartilage between the 2 pubic bones of the pelvis) that occurs when the female reaches adulthood. They will nurse from their mother but are able to nibble at solid food (such as moistened pellets) within 2 days. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Do not handle her all the time like before. The vitamin C required by a pregnant female is obviously more than that required by one that isnt pregnant. So, in this article, let's see how a fetus will change week by week to become a baby. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. Make note of the time and amount of water during each refill. Establish a daily routine with set times and stick to it, to provide consistency. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. This causes mineral deficiency. Note that she may chew the cardboard, so have extra boxes or use a wicker or thick-plastic box. The temperature outside or in a garage/shed usually becomes too cold at night for a pregnant guinea pig. When a guinea pig is about to give birth, any male guinea pigs near her will gather around and try to become the dominant male in order to both protect the female and mate with her. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. He never thought of the idea that his pet was pregnant. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 hours, most often during night hours. Loss of appetite can also be a symptom of pregnancy toxemia. If your guinea pig allows you to touch her, use your fingers to gently examine her sides and stomach. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Having somewhere to hide will reduce stress. Giving them their favorite toys and treats. In long-haired breeds, it gets even worse. [1] While their lactation is essential for some nutrients that cannot be provided in the babies diet, baby guinea pigs are noticed to be able to survive even without their mothers milk. If you are a woman reading this I bet that you are thinking thank god there aint anything like that in humans!. Does anybody have like weekly signs of guinea pig pregnancy like week one no sights week two they eat more something like that thanks . If the water bottle is usually placed high-up, provide a second water bottle lower down so that the sow does not have to stretch if she does not want to. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Note that the gestation period is usually 66 - 72 days. If you cannot check on the sow because of work etc. X He was lonely, so my family decided to get a girl for him to. That's right, in many cases guinea pigs are pregnant for less than two months before they give birth to their litter. I am to have more of a informative conversation with my vet on Monday. HappyPiggies14 Well-known Member. A few proprietors have brought a young guinea pig home, to find that she is pregnant as of now! have company. Not always is it ensured that the mother will deliver her litter by natural means. So when they mate with a female, they mark the female with their urine!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_16',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-2-0'); Since every individual has a separate scent profile, other males would not approach the urinated female! My guinea pig is pregnant, and I'm worried she might be sick. You should also provide a box, like a small shoe box on its side. Wait 24 hours after the birth to give additional feeding for one of the pups as it takes this long for some pups to begin feeding at all. The safest, easiest, and least expensive way to prevent breeding is to house male and female guinea pigs separately. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. Guinea pigs have a much shorter timeline of pregnancy than humans. And believe me, you would not want to live with the guilt if something goes wrong. However, with the proper care, this risk can be significantly reduced and your pregnant guinea pig can be kept in good health. They eat solid food right after being born, unlike human babies. If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to get to a vet. ", pet they can be, and how to play with them. Toxemia is the result of a metabolic imbalance, which causes the guinea pig to become gravely ill. Calcium deficiency often displays similar symptoms, but it is the result of a calcium imbalance, whereas toxemia happens due to internal complications associated with impaired blood supply to the uterus. What are the Similarities and Differences Beetwen Humans and Guinea Pigs in Pregnancy? Avoid over-feeding You need to understand that your guinea pig cannot bear the pain of her pregnancy when she gets handled by you. At what age can guinea pigs mate? Introduce the male pups to the father and any other boars you have. A pregnant guinea will start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy propels. How long is a guinea pig pregnant for? Only a skilled and experienced veterinarian should attempt to manipulate the position of pups before they are born. Reduce exposure to loud noises or bright lights. Regardless of how pregnancy occurs, the average guinea pig gestation period is 65 days. But when pregnant, the mother needs to enrich herself for the pain she is about to endure and should provide nutrition for her babies. At what age can you neuter your guinea pig? My guinea pigs continued to grow (4-5 months when I got them early May, so the new ones are 8 months old now) - to like perfectly normal guinea pigs. Guinea Pig Pregnancy Stages Week By Week - Pregnancy Nicky Dalere (@NickyDalere) August 29, 2016 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js August 29, 2016 at 01:30AM But I am only writing about this because it was actually asked by someone online! After about two or three weeks of pregnancy, the baby guinea pigs can be physically felt. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 447,279 times. Yes, its to know whether she interacted with an unneutered male in recent days.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_19',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Even though a male guinea pig over three weeks of age is capable of causing pregnancy in a female, neutering is advised only after the age of 4 months. By using our site, you agree to our. The optimal maintenance of guinea pig colonies, commercially and in research settings, relies on robust informed breeding programs, however, breeding data on specialized inbred strains are limited. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. No relationship can survive without understanding. This article made the information I, "This helped a lot. Maturing guinea pigs. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-2-0');Well, not too many similarities are shared by guinea pigs and humans in their pregnancy. However, guinea pigs often do not react well to surgery, anesthesia, or being kept in unfamiliar surroundings. Some of you might think of this question as absurd. Publisher: Pergamon. Safety from injury should take precedence over hygiene. The boar must be removed by 50 days as he may continue to mount her which can be stressful or painful in later pregnancy, and she could become pregnant again as early as two hours after the birth. they were both female and have been living together. At this stage, you have to feed your developing guinea pigs with pellets specially formulated for them. That is exactly why you need to cautiously read all the following so that you can make the hard and painful process of pregnancy easier on your guinea pig! But that should be done only when you are present to monitor. I have been given an 8 week old guinea pig that is pregnant, and her half-sister. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-2','ezslot_9',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-2-0');Sometimes, surgery could be necessary. Please confirm that you are a health care professional. The larger the size of the litter, the shorter the time they could stay inside in the same area where a smaller litter could stay longer. The average Guinea pig gestation period is 68 days with a range of 59 - 72 days. Instead, coax her onto a towel or into a box. But make sure your handling of her is minimal. If the other sow eats it, their own pregnancy may be induced. The more the number of baby guinea pigs, the shorter is the period of pregnancy. Things to Watch Out for During Guinea Pig Pregnancy If you suspect that your guinea pig is experiencing any of these during gestation, try to take them to a veterinarian to get diagnosed properly. Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. Cavy Slave. Publisher: Pergamon, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/aid666376-v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"