guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week

If the other sow eats it, their own pregnancy may be induced. 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. Newborn guinea pigs weigh about 3.5 ounces (100 g). Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. If you are not certain that the pups are weaned at 21 days, the males should be removed anyway to prevent pregnancy. Not all guinea pigs are capable of handling the stress of a 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. To learn more about what to expect during the pregnancy, read on! Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. They should be kept at the same comfortable temperature as the adults. Right? If you suspect that your female guinea pig may be pregnant, then it is best to consult your veterinarian. Research source Instead, coax her onto a towel or into a box. Try to find a vet who specializes in rodents and other small animals, rather than just a generic vet. To Avoid Stress, You Need to Take Several Measures Obviously. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. The legacy of this great resource continues as the Merck Veterinary Manual in the US and Canada and the MSD Vet Manual outside of North America. But as blissful as it is for a mother to give birth to children, it is also stressful and painful.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-box-4','ezslot_3',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-box-4-0'); So, as your guinea pigs are part of your family, you should take care of them just as well as you would take care of a pregnant sister or wife or mother! I told my mom and took her to the vet, and they said she was pregnant. 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. In long-haired breeds, it gets even worse. Your pregnant sow will also need more vitamin C after 4 weeks, about twice as much, so incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C into her diet. So you should. However, with the proper care, this risk can be significantly reduced and your pregnant guinea pig can be kept in good health. Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity early in their life- as early as six weeks!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-1','ezslot_6',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-1-0'); So, remember that when you are wondering about the probable pregnancy of your guinea pigs. This will keep your guinea pig from slipping. But consult with your vet first, just to be on the safer side. Rough handling may cause miscarriage. The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. Only hold her if necessary. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow by But compromising on the perfection of those necessities wont cause much immediate trouble when she is not pregnant. The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. This is the period when young guinea pigs will develop bonds with humans and learn to accept being held. they were both female and have been living together. It is entirely possible for a male pup to impregnate its mother or sisters. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. After the surgery, keep your pet quiet and separated from other guinea pigs while recovering. They can begin breeding as young as two months in some cases. Guinea pigs are important animal models for human disease, and both outbred and inbred lines are utilized in biomedical research. Never provide a multi-vitamin. She could also become pregnancy just two hours after she gives birth. So you may think that grooming them with regular attention, or even more during pregnancy, is needed. 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, there are some signs you can watch for at home. So I am morally obligated to answer it. The gestation period of a guinea pig can last anywhere from 59 to 72 days depending on how many babies she's carrying. You vet may also be able to hear the piglets' heartbeats in the sow's abdomen. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. 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. But that should be done only when you are present to monitor. 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. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). 2 Observe her eating habits. Of course, as you probably already know, a break between two consecutive estrus cycles can be caused only by a pregnancy. How Can You Know How Far Along Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy is? The average Guinea pig gestation period is 68 days with a range of 59 - 72 days. 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. ago. X If I felt my pregnant guinea pig's belly and caused her a miscarriage, what would the signs be? Birth can sometimes be more complicated because of several medical reasons. Finally, have the pregnancy confirmed by a veterinarian, who can perform an ultrasound and give you information about caring for a pregnant guinea pig. And the babies? I really enjoyed that it was stressed that the babies don't need to be with dad at, "I love guinea pigs, and when I get one, and then another one, they will probably mate. 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. Despre Club; Echipa; FRESHconsult Though it depends on the size of the litter, a guinea pig pregnancy lasts 59-72 days. Well, I guess this is the most important section of this post. Between 1 and 8 guinea pig babies with 4 being the most common number of guinea pigs per litter. In other words, you will be provided with a visual of your guinea pig's abdomen and the doctor can then confirm or disconfirm a pregnancy. Cesarean sections are rarely successful in guinea pigs even when performed by a veterinarian who has experience with guinea pigs. Make the introductions gradual as the adults will be a lot larger and could do them serious harm. Another sign is a hike in food intake. Guinea pig pregnancy, there is a fine line between it sounding scary and it sounding heartening. Pregnancy is risky for female guinea pigs, particularly for those older than 8 months and younger than 3 months and sows over the age of 2 years who have already had 2 litters. Read more about this in our helpful guide. Antreprenoriat BT. Thanks for helping me realize that she is pregnant after all! They may be willing to attend themselves, or you may have to contact an experienced breeder. The other? Stage #2. Shortly after giving birth, guinea pigs begin a fresh estrous cycle that lasts only about half a day. It will be too stressful for her. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). X Publisher: Pergamon. If they do survive the first week they have a shorter than normal life expectancy and will require large amounts of medical care throughout their lives. Our professionals are qualified to care for your guinea pig. I didnt know whether to hit him in the face for the negligence or to feel sorry for his loss. If it declines every day or continues to change after 5 days, consult the vet. But even if your locality has cold weather, it is still worth enough to take your guinea pig to the vet. Critical Care or a similar product as it is likely you will need it for at least one pup. For older guinea pigs, this may include her carrying out her pregnancy and birth housed at the vets, as she is more likely to need intervention. This site is run by Anna, Niklas and Jesper - three curious, caring and animal-loving people. You can crop their hair to maintain hygiene, even if you cannot cut it perfectly. However, if your sow is not yet mature and is less than 6-8 months of age, she will still be growing and thus weight gain may not be indicative of pregnancy. In general, veterinarians do not recommend that individual pet owners attempt to breed guinea pigs. Selective feeding is where the guinea pig chooses the tastier bits of food over less tasty but often more nutritious foods. As the pregnancy develops, carefully check the guinea pig twice a week for signs of illness, like crusty eyes or a patchy coat. During the last two weeks of pregnancy, do not handle the sow. The mothers weight will vary for a few days whilst she re-adjusts but should settle within five days. My guinea pig is pregnant, and I'm worried she might be sick. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). But that does not mean a complete compromise of their hygiene. You should absolutely, Alfalfa hay is rich in calcium and protein. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. This information is then translated into an image. Do not handle her all the time like before. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. Guinea Pig Vomit: Everything You Need To Know. Do not bath the sow during pregnancy. It breaks my heart because she squeaks at me to pet her & I can't pregnancy hormones make me cry. How can I tell? And believe me, you would not want to live with the guilt if something goes wrong. Outdoor time, again, with your availability to monitor. Whilst brothers will be fine to be housed together throughout their lives, they may never get on well enough will other boars to be permanently housed with them. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. Guinea Pig Foot Spurs {Everything You Need To Know Here}, Basic QuestionsAbout Guinea Pig Pregnancy. Regardless of how pregnancy occurs, the average guinea pig gestation period is 65 days. Facultatea Business si Turism. 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. There is no need to remove other sows, they may even help with the pups. Until we noticed that her belly got bigger than it should be. I enjoy learning about pets and to share what I learn with others. You should be able to implement it. Do not intervene or touch the pups unless you need to. Right? You can also touch her abdomen gently to feel for piglets in the womb. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. We might have made some serious mistakes out of ignorance. After about two or three weeks of pregnancy, the baby guinea pigs can be physically felt. If at any point her weight begins to fall or if she begins to show signs of illness, consult a vet immediately. However, guinea pigs often do not react well to surgery, anesthesia, or being kept in unfamiliar surroundings. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. As a general rule, the larger the litter, the shorter guinea pig gestation tends to be. It is not very different from human pregnancy. Four read more . This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Guinea pigs, even when not pregnant, are vulnerable to mood swings. ask a friend or neighbour to check on her. But when she is, you have no choice but to give nothing less than the perfect. Begin by making a "C" shape with your thumb and first finger, and then sliding the thumb over the top of her tummy and the forefinger underneath her belly. Due to several factors including age, weight, other diseases, nutritive health, etc., females could be inefficient of nourishing and/or delivering the litter. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. Only a skilled and experienced veterinarian should attempt to manipulate the position of pups before they are born. A female may accidentally injure the babies by squashing them and babies are prone to escaping cages, so check up on them regularly. A pregnant sow will begin to drink and eat more as the pregnancy advances. AmberCalzone Well-known Member. A good idea is to weigh your female guinea pig regularly (perhaps weekly) and to record the weight. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. The labor: You can hear distinct cries of her before she goes into labor. The entire span of 40 weeks of the pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. Avoid making changes to a pregnant sow's cage, like removing toys or putting the cage in a totally new location. But make sure your handling of her is minimal. Pet stores also often house both sexes together, and some breeders do not separate the sexes early enough so it is possible the sow was already pregnant when you bought her. Neutering a male is generally easier than spaying a female. o [alopecia OR hair loss ], , BVSc, DVP, DACLAM, DABVP(ECM), The Kenneth S Warren Institute. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Neutered boars should be kept separate from sows for four weeks after surgery. With cute little fingers, hair, and adorable teeth, open ears & eyes, they are just the apt definition of awesomeness! A pregnant guinea will start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy propels. The probe records the echoes as the sound waves bounce back in order to determine the size, shape, and consistency of internal tissues and organs. The ultrasound exam involves involves clipping a small square of fur and applying gel to the exposed skin. All guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but do not nest specifically because of pregnancy. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 . If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Commonly, their size would be ranging from eight to ten inches. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site. Does anybody have like weekly signs of guinea pig pregnancy like week one no sights week two they eat more something like that thanks . But it is quite the opposite. 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. A few weeks later I noticed she was getting bigger, I was curious to see if she was pregnant. Keep the two in separate cages until one of them is fixed. How Can You Know if Your Guinea Pig is Pregnant? Or if it is the bad news version of the lumps, the vet will help with treating it. ", know if the sow is having a baby or babies. Approved. Guinea pigs are certainly cute. Also see professional content regarding management of guinea pigs Guinea Pigs Guinea pigs, like chinchillas, are hystricognath rodents. At birth, baby guinea pigs can weigh between 2.1 and 4.2 oz (60 and 120 grams) and have an average size of 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). You need to understand that your guinea pig cannot bear the pain of her pregnancy when she gets handled by you. Even though the birthing can be handled by yourself, it is better to leave it to licensed veterinarians to avoid last minute complications. He was lonely, so my family decided to get a girl for him to. It is often difficult to find homes with caring and responsible pet owners for young guinea pigs. 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. As if that is not bad news enough, even mothers suffer death immediately after delivery because of malnutrition. We can understand why a guinea pig would need extra comfort during pregnancy, given that she does not move as much as she used to. Immediate veterinary care is required, but the prognosis is usually very poor. Females can become pregnant immediately after giving birth so make sure that there are no males nearby. Note that the gestation period is usually 66 - 72 days. Research source Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? And hand those records to your vert during his weekly visit so that he can comprehend the situation in hand better. Make sure hay is freely available at all times, and provide in a large ball the guinea pig can burrow in. Ammonia irritates the lungs of pigs and will predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections. If you are changing the feed, make a gradual change providing a bit of both to start with as otherwise she may not eat the feed at all. We read that the more babies she is carrying will result in a shorter pregnancy. Enter search terms to find related veterinary topics, multimedia and more. "I recently adopted two pigs but realized I would have many more very soon. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. In Summary. When your guinea pigs reach 16 weeks of age, it is the time that they mature significantly. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. Do not cage them. Rodent and rabbit medicine. Because yeah, more the number, more the time to nourish them, sounds logical. They may prescribe treatment that includes injections of dextrose solutions, steroids and calcium, which may or may not be effective. Reduce her exposure to loud noises or bright lights, including direct sunlight. Things to RememberAbout Guinea Pig Pregnancy and Breeding, Terms and Conditions for Pocket pet central, Keeping them in the rooms of your home where loud noises cant be heard, Guinea pigs tend to get stressed when they do not have a pattern in their food, drinking, and outdoor timings. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. Another weird yet interesting way to find out pregnancy in guinea pigs is their smell! Avoid putting any pressure on her body. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Do not crowd the mother have only one person in the room, but another on standby to make calls if necessary. Remove any other pregnant sows. Your body: During both the first and second trimester, your blood pressure may decrease slightly from its pre-pregnancy number. When they reach about 6 ounces (170 g), the offspring will stop nursing and eat the same foods as their parents. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_13',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');Unlike humans who may experience contractions for hours at a stretch, guinea pigs do not take longer than half an hour for the delivery of their litter. 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 Last Updated: November 26, 2022 These pups may die within a few days of birth, or may live for several years. So how about the baby guinea pigs? Doing otherwise can cause pregnancy complications or miscarriage. If your sow is carrying more pups rather than less, her length of pregnancy will more likely be closer to 60 days than 70. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. This prevents an excess of one particular mineral that might be contained in that vegetable. Pregnancy can have a number of complications for the sow, the female guinea pig, including toxaemia (metabolic imbalance), dystocia (difficulty giving birth), and post-partum difficulties (such as seizures due to low calcium levels). ", Scary after reading all this. Maybe in the woods, they can take care of themselves. But pregnancy is far from straightforward for guinea pigs. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 324,740 times. Use your dominant hand to feel her belly. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid666376-v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"