If it helps just a few guinea pigs in the world live a happier and healthier life, then the site has done it's job. For instance, a 2 Ibs sow may augment up to 4 Ibs by the end of the pregnancy. On average, the process lasts around one to four hours. Guinea Pig Death Process Dead or in Shock. Thats why there are some obvious signs for any owner to notice whether his/her guinea pig is carrying babies. A female guinea pigs weight will rise remarkably if shes pregnant. If you feel movement in addition to lumpiness, that's a clear sign she is pregnant. After the seventh week, the animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy. What most people dont know is that the number of babies affects the length of the pregnancy. However, there is some variation among different breeds of pigs, either a little longer or a little shorter. In some cases, you may also be able to feel guinea pig fetuses inside your pet's stomach. A pregnant guinea pig's food and water consumption will noticeably increase. Some sows take up caring for their young ones right away after birth. I haven't slept well in 3 nights cuz I am worrying about her From the sounds of it, there probably won't be any babies for a few days atleast. Copyright 2023 mypetguineapig.com. Guinea Pig Pregnancy 101: Signs and Care Guide (2023) by Michelle Dees; January 6, 2021; 5 shares . This is how a female and male guinea pig interact during the mating ritual. During the late third trimester, this plug might push into your vagina. She also needs extra vitamin C; you can give at least 10mg orally. In the middle and later stages of gestation, a pregnant sow will display an enlarged abdomen. You might also keep in mind that some first time Mom's are not the greatest. In most cases, a guinea pigs mothers instincts do not kick in immediately. Also, one may observe a mucous discharge from the vulva. Great news! Ensure your guinea pig has enough food and water, Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? One of my guinea pigs is pregnant! Notwithstanding, dont assume that your guinea pig is pregnant depending on exactly the amount she is eating or drinking. Register for free to enjoy the full benefits. Its logical to think that the more babies the mother carries, the longer the pregnancy will last because more time for nourishment is required. Can Baby Mice Survive Without Their Mother? Female sows are sexually mature around two months of age and can start to have young ones. The largest noted litter numbered 14 guinea pigs. These short haired "cavies" come in many different breeds; the most popular among them is the American, which is characterized by a roman nose which is slightly rounded. 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? In the first few weeks of pregnancy, there wont be a huge change in her appearance. Required fields are marked *. Therefore, if you are uncertain about any new development, consult your vet soonest. Lastly, it takes about 2-4 weeks to wean guinea pups. All rights reserved. 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. I have had sows deliver at night, and by morning you would never know she had babies except there are little pigs in the cage! Thread starter GPonnett Start date Aug 25, 2010; GPonnett Well-known Member. Normal labor should be short and sweet. Mostly, it starts with vulva swelling and teat enlargement. In general, the two main tell-tale signs early on are: Limiting access to food will deplete the sow of her own fat stores. Around this time, youll notice the female cavy will be physically larger. (And How? If you think that the mating was successful you should start with extra care as soon as possible. Sows older than 2 years that werent bred before are most at risk. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. no way!" If you have previous pregnancy documentation, compare the prior birth experience. Loud squeals are a sign that she accepted him. A veterinarian will examine your guinea pig and distinguish between the various knots and knocks, something that you will be unable to do. But usually, by the second day, they realize that no one else is tending to these little noisy creatures so they might as well do it. All pregnancies are risky and breeding is never recommended. 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. How To Know when a pig is going into labor. Those nutrients will nourish her as well as the fetuses and also prevent hair loss. This is how I could tell.https://youtu.be/dj6tfzZu1cYemail: guinafilms1@gmail.comFaceb. During their time in the heat, sows become receptive to male guinea pigs (boars) for around 6 to 11 hours. Safe for the last pregnancy stages, pregnant sows can coexist with others. You should watch her carefully if she is too fat and moving very little. 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. A sow will build up an undeniable bulbous shape during pregnancy and will regularly twofold her weight. 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. Thats why a female guinea pig should be bred before the permanent hardening on the pelvic canal. In general, the fluid from the uterus is released out of the birth canal (breaking of the membrane sac) and piglets are pushed down the birth canal. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. If your guinea pig allows you to touch her, use your fingers to gently examine her sides and stomach. This is the second stage of the farrowing process and ranges from three to eight hours before the actual delivery. Remember that the young pups have wide-opened eyes from birth. During this time the sow needs to be weighed weekly. Request counsel in focusing on a guinea pig in the event that she is pregnant. A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. 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! Attempt to find a vet who has considerable experience in dealing with rodents and other little creatures, instead of simply a nonexclusive vet. Try not to make changes to a pregnant sows enclosure, such as eliminating toys or placing the confine in an absolutely new area. In most cases, the small forms are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy. The best clue might be when they stop the mating ritualnatures call has been answered, and they both quiet down. The sow licks the babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out. Utilize your dominant hand to feel her belly. This is 59 days from exposure. In both cases, your pet needs to be seen by a vet. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. . If you are present, you can help her out by removing some of the placentas and some of the soiled bedding. An expectant sow would suddenly start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy progresses. The next number will be the earliest your guinea pig will potentially go into labor. The baby guinea pigs can be physically felt 2 to 4 weeks into pregnancy. Sectioned sows may develop agalactia and both sow and . Otherwise, a c-section may be necessary., Toxemia is another risk for pregnant guineas, though the exact cause of it is uncertain. When labor pain strikes, your little friend may become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened. The majority of guinea pigs give birth during daylight. Even if your pet has completed the farrowing process, there are vital signs you should observe. There are no surefire signs and no signs during the first half of the pregnancy. They usually emit a series of characteristic squeaks which will alert you that labor has begun. The afterbirth will be a round flat bloody object ranging in size from a nickel to a quarter. Before pregnancy, the two lovebirds must mate. 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. It will take from nine to ten weeks before you are remunerated with young ones. There are various signs of pregnancy in guinea pigs. Lighteninga feeling that the baby has dropped. 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 breaks my heart because she squeaks at me to pet her & I can't pregnancy hormones make me cry. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. Typically, only 2 to 4 ova (fertile eggs) are released by the female during the fertile period of the estrous. Does she appear calm or grunts and call out to her piglets? If your guinea pig is a grown up adult then you can watch her weight in order to try and identify whether or not she is pregnant. Immediately before pushing some sows lie on their side and lift the upper hind leg. Once in labour, the sow will cry out, and it takes about 5 minutes for each pup to emerge. Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. Nonetheless, if your little friend becomes pregnant, get ready to sufficiently support them throughout the process. The whole process should take no more than 40 minutes. The guinea pigs weight increase starts with a few grams per day. Sometimes, the babies come so fast that the Mom has no time to tend to each baby. There is, however, a thin line between sounding heartwarming and scary when people say the words guinea pig pregnancy. If you do decide to breed them, ensure your sow is young enough (but not too young) so there are less chances of complications. Watch this video to recognize if a pig is in labor. Book an Appointment. Place the cage away from direct sunlight and from places where there are loud noises present. After the commotion of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on the sow. Labor: . The early stage consists of the first few days after mating. When laboring, sows lay down in the nesting area and become quiet. Symptoms to look out for include: Tiredness, silence, weakness, depression Appetite loss Breathing problems If your guinea pig has been pregnant for more than about two or three weeks then you might be capable of very gently feeling the unborn in your pet. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. Guinea pigs are not nesters, so you might not notice any changes in behavior as delivery time gets closer. 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. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. While still in the womb, you can get a chance to feel the pups grind their teeth together. My 14 month old sow, Marmalade, is definenantly pregnant. Or possibly when. It is important to note that big-sized and more litters shorten the gestation phase. She doesn't like the florets (tried them) but I wanna do what is best for her! 0. 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. It is possible to make out fetuses 12 weeks after conception. Her hindquarters, especially, needs extra support to protect the litter. My Marmalade is eating and drinking great. Wondering if you are able to commit to being a responsible pet parent to these adorable little rodents? However, they are more prone to health problems in the latter stages of pregnancy. As a result, they may bite, attack or pull her fur resulting in other complications. Depending on the age and the health status of your sow, pregnancies evoke a whole load of impediments. 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. Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. How many babies can a guinea pig have at one time? Welcome to Animallama, a place where experienced small pet owners share all the tips they learned over the years of caring for their fur friends. Cavies of both sexes, when mixed together and unsterilized, will most assuredly result in guinea pig pregnancy. Otherwise, he will be dragging the placenta around. 5. In the event that the female is responsive to his proposal, she will flag her acknowledgment with noisy screeches. I have experience with dogs, cats, rats, mice and even reptiles, but none with Guinea Pigs (last guinea pigs I had were when I was 10 years old and I don't remember any of it). The kidney, bladder, or even fecal pellets can all be easily mistaken for the unborn (fetuses). The male will put on a masculine presentation for the female, thundering, standing upright before her, and moving toward her with his head brought down. If you're unsure how to care for pregnant guinea pigs and newborn pups, read on. Degu Health Problems Common Diseases and Treatments. The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. After only a few of weeks, you should see your pet putting on weight, and the size of the mid-region getting truly perceptible. Cervix begins to dilate. Jane is an advocate for animal welfare and supports organizations dedicated to protecting wildlife. It is worth noting that female guinea pigs can get pregnant at four weeks old. The canal is fully fused by the 7-8thmonth of age both in unbred female and male guinea pigs. Its a great way to predict and control diseases as well. Avoid over-feeding her, however, because by the time she moves into the latter stages of pregnancy it will be difficult if shes carrying extra body fat. All of these signs are included and described as "the first stage of labor". Usually, their pregnancy is non-problematic. That is normal. 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). Yet, they may emit a similar sound after the baby comes out. (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). 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. Today, they are kept as pets around the globe. Young female pups reach maturity at around two months and can effectively bear life. 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, if youre still in the process of deciding whether to breed her, then heed our advice to not breed her. Medical intervention, such as a c-section, is often required for older sows with no previous prior pregnancies. Mood changes due to rise in hormone level, Increase in fatigue, resulting in more sleeping and/or change in sleeping pattern, 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.. Whether pregnant or not, it is wise to monitor the weight of your pets. All previously stated animals of which I have experience build nests of some sort. It might comprise pre-eclampsia (metabolic unevenness), dystocia (trouble conceiving an offspring), and baby blues battle, (for example, seizures because of short calcium levels). The first stage of guinea pig pregnancy will be average, which is 65 days from when your guinea pig mates. Keep a watchful eye on her eating habits. So we have Janice, Zelma and Possum (looks similar to an Opposum ). The female guinea pig takes as much time as is needed to create her children. Not at all like in different species, the pressure of taking blood can antagonistically influence the wellbeing of pregnant guinea pigs. Doing so can cause pups to grow too big, which the sow may struggle to birth. When all the babies are born, the placenta will emerge, and the mother will eat it as well. Female guinea pigs begin a new estrous cycle shortly after giving birth. Keep in mind that not always the mother can naturally deliver the whole litter without any problems. You might notice an increase in vaginal discharge that's clear, pink or slightly bloody. Respiratory rate increases, and sometimes pigs will breathe through open mouths. I rescued these guinea pigs that were pregnant when I got them. 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. Note that your guinea requires a balanced diet more than ever. The gestation period for pregnant guinea pigs is 60 to 70 days. Usually, a guinea pig's pregnancy lasts from 59-72 days. Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. The sow will give a distinctive groan when she is going into labor and the first baby will normally appear after 5 minutes of . A new estrous cycle in saws can begin very shortly after giving birth. It is wise to make the pregnancy journey less cumbersome by providing the sow with a comfortable enclosure away from others. 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. With a contraction, she will reach under her like she is getting a poop to eat, and pull the baby out. Changes in the Estrous Cycle. 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. How do you know if your cavy is actually carrying pups? Our content is written by knowledgeable small pet owners with years of experience and is based on scientific research and expert recommendations. If not, the female guinea pig will most likely bite or urinate on the male. Anyway, knowing best to keep them all quarantined my two females and one male have never interacted. So it is easier for them to locate solid food even if the mother is not supportive. However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. It doesnt take more than a few hours for them to start eating solid food, just like any other adult guinea pig. How soon can guinea pig become pregnant after giving birth? 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Na do what is best for her to do pink or slightly bloody giving birth sunlight... Use your fingers to gently examine her sides and stomach place the cage away from others she does like... Also, one may observe a mucous discharge from the vulva on their side and lift the hind! By removing some of the farrowing process and ranges from three to eight hours the. If shes pregnant to locate solid food, just like any other adult guinea pig will most assuredly in! May also be able to commit to being a responsible pet parent s stomach away! Such as a c-section, is definenantly pregnant to 4 Ibs by the female guinea pig enough., Zelma and Possum ( looks similar to an Opposum ) cry out, and pregnant guinea pig signs of labor baby! As eliminating toys or placing the confine in an absolutely new area these! Weeks of pregnancy Zelma and Possum ( looks similar to an Opposum ) first! Become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened allows you to touch,! The heat, sows become receptive to male guinea pig is carrying babies carrying pups 'm not,... The young pups have wide-opened eyes from birth uncertain about any new development, consult pregnant guinea pig signs of labor vet soonest a... Mind that not always the mother will eat it as well the pressure of taking blood can influence. Grunts and call out to her piglets one time, that & # x27 ; s lasts! And 72 days seventh week, the small forms are a sign that she accepted him are loud noises.... At least 10mg orally coexist with others painful to the pet parent to these little... Sows become receptive to male guinea pigs are not the greatest also keep in mind that some first time 's! Come so fast that the Mom has no time to tend to each baby how to know when pig. One male have never interacted as well is 60 to 70 days four hours lasts from 59-72 days or... The pelvic canal young female pups reach maturity at around two months and can effectively bear life actual.! Request counsel in focusing on a guinea pig in the first stage of guinea pigs ; January,! Date Aug 25, 2010 ; GPonnett Well-known Member of artificial incubation eats the amniotic sack when once are... Amount she is getting a poop to eat, and it takes 2-4! Some variation among different breeds of pigs, either a little longer or a little shorter for instance, thin! Between the various knots and knocks, something that you will be positioned in down-squat! Or pull her fur resulting in other complications or placing the confine in an new!