guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week

Dystocia is a birth delivery problem where the unborn babies are not able to exit due because the mother is unable to dilate fully. Yeah, sounds weird, but it actually works with several other animals too. But compromising on the perfection of those necessities wont cause much immediate trouble when she is not pregnant. 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. The vet may try to manipulate the piglet into a position where the mother can pass it. Having somewhere to hide will reduce stress. The intercourse with an unneutered male guinea pig causes pregnancy in a female obviously. We might have made some serious mistakes out of ignorance. 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. ask a friend or neighbour to check on her. This article received 14 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This period starts from the first day of the last period before your baby is born. Absolutely pregnant. "I took my guinea pig to the vet and found out she will have babies. WRONG! A good idea is to weigh your female guinea pig regularly (perhaps weekly) and to record the weight. 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. I didnt know whether to hit him in the face for the negligence or to feel sorry for his loss. Support wikiHow by If there are any signs that the pregnant sow is not getting on with another guinea pig, do not hesitate to remove the other guinea pig, but leave the pregnant sow in the hutch/cage she is in. Until we noticed that her belly got bigger than it should be. It is important to begin to carefully handle young guinea pigs when they are only 2 or 3 weeks old. Four read more . How can I tell? Guinea pigs go through four or five estrus cycles every year. Keep a watchful eye on her eating habits. If you need it, you dont want to have to hunt around for it. So I am morally obligated to answer it. 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. We read that the more babies she is carrying will result in a shorter pregnancy. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Cesarean sections are rarely successful in guinea pigs even when performed by a veterinarian who has experience with guinea pigs. The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. Although, guinea pigs tend to eat extra in cold weather too. All animals, for example, tend to eat more when it's cold, when they're having a growth spurt, and when they're suffering from certain illnesses. How Can You Know How Far Along Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy is? When your guinea pigs reach 16 weeks of age, it is the time that they mature significantly. 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. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Only a skilled and experienced veterinarian should attempt to manipulate the position of pups before they are born. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. If you cannot check on the sow because of work etc. Research source So do not be surprised if a young little guinea pig you just brought home is already pregnant! Guinea pigs are typically considered adults from 6 months to about 5 years of age. But pregnancy is far from straightforward for guinea pigs. However, a caesarean surgery may be required. The female has a short postpartum estrus that will last for only about half a day and, without a dominant male, all of the males will try to mate with the new mother. A pregnant guinea will start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy propels. Pregnancy for guinea pigs or guinea pig gestation period can last anywhere from 59 days to 72 days, though the average is 65 days. A female can give birth to up to 5 litters per year. 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. Guinea pigs are certainly cute. Two consecutive weeks with a noticeable hike in weight should probably mean that the piggy is pregnant. All rights reserved. With your non-dominant hand hold her steady around the shoulders, with her head facing away from you. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. So follow a routine. Newborn guinea pigs weigh about 3.5 ounces (100 g). Do not bath the sow during pregnancy. With cute little fingers, hair, and adorable teeth, open ears & eyes, they are just the apt definition of awesomeness! She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. If you suspect that your female guinea pig may be pregnant, then it is best to consult your veterinarian. The towels should be changed at least twice a day. Is it OK to leave the non-pregnant girl with the pups? So, it is vital that you know which stage of pregnancy your guinea pig is. There is no need to remove other sows, they may even help with the pups. This article made the information I, "This helped a lot. However, guinea pigs often do not react well to surgery, anesthesia, or being kept in unfamiliar surroundings. The ultrasound, is a non-invasive procedure and can confirm the pregnancy. Whilst guinea pigs should never be bred intentionally, coming home from the pet store with a guinea pig who is already pregnant is a common story. Shortly after giving birth, guinea pigs begin a fresh estrous cycle that lasts only about half a day. Increased fiber intake can prevent hair thinning, which is common in the last stage of pregnancy. Note that she may chew the cardboard, so have extra boxes or use a wicker or thick-plastic box. Though it depends on the size of the litter, a guinea pig pregnancy lasts 59-72 days. As a general rule, the larger the litter, the shorter guinea pig gestation tends to be. Maturing guinea pigs. If you are a woman reading this I bet that you are thinking thank god there aint anything like that in humans!. But it is better if you take her to the vet just to be sure. Being wrong about the pregnancy couldnt hurt more than the consequences of neglecting it!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-sky-4','ezslot_23',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-sky-4-0'); There are actual people that I know who neglected the weight gain in their guinea pigs. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. Be aware that young guinea pigs will begin to eat more as they grow anyway. Avoid making changes to a pregnant sow's cage, like removing toys or putting the cage in a totally new location. But that should be done only when you are present to monitor. How long is a guinea pig pregnant for? Symptoms include refusal to eat, lethargy, and rapid weight loss. Even though having a vet all the time is not convenient. I did all, "I think that it was great help. Offer fresh vegetables every day. Its just the same in guinea pigs. 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. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. ", pet they can be, and how to play with them. But I am only writing about this because it was actually asked by someone online! But when she is, you have no choice but to give nothing less than the perfect. They belong to the family Cavidae, which contains 14 species of animals commonly known as cavies and Patagonian hares (or maras). A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 hours, most often during night hours. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. 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! Enter search terms to find related veterinary topics, multimedia and more. Diseases such as toxemia are caused easily in pregnant females. Right? Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. Not only does it scare her, but also causes pain due to the pressure put by our arms. You can also touch her abdomen gently to feel for piglets in the womb. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! However, toxemia is in part a lack of sugar, so keeping sugar levels high is important. 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. A few proprietors have brought a young guinea pig home, to find that she is pregnant as of now! This causes mineral deficiency. If you've found out that your guinea pig is pregnant, check on it several times a day to monitor its drinking and eating habits so you know what is normal and can react to changes. Use to remove results with certain terms Because guinea pigs have a high infant mortality rate. Keep the two in separate cages until one of them is fixed. Finally, have the pregnancy confirmed by a veterinarian, who can perform an ultrasound and give you information about caring for a pregnant guinea pig. By this time, your pet's pelvic bones will have widened enough to make way for the pups . At what age can you neuter your guinea pig? Bumps can also indicate ovarian cysts or tumors. When they reach about 6 ounces (170 g), the offspring will stop nursing and eat the same foods as their parents. ", needed available in a clear, concise manner, super simple, and now I feel confident in my unexpected blessing. If your sow is carrying more pups rather than less, her length of pregnancy will more likely be closer to 60 days than 70. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Avoid putting any pressure on her body. It is worth noting that female guinea pigs can get pregnant at four weeks old. 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":"