guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week

guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week

If you suspect that your female guinea pig may be pregnant, then it is best to consult your veterinarian. Absolutely pregnant. The gestation period of a guinea pig can last anywhere from 59 to 72 days depending on how many babies she's carrying. unlocking this expert answer. So it is well over 3 months since the operation. Remember guinea pigs are social animals and should be kept in groups, so if you own both a boar and a sow make sure to provide company of the same sex for both of them. Then I followed the steps that say how to take, "My guinea pig was acting strange. The entire span of 40 weeks of the pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. Other adverse effects include a loss of appetite out of fear, which could also result in fatal effects. It will be too stressful for her. Publisher: Pergamon. Sows who are too old are at a greater risk of the pelvis not being 'elastic' enough to expand during the birthing process. Individual pet owners should not attempt to breed guinea pigs, according to experts, for two very important reasons: They eat solid food right after being born, unlike human babies. To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! References A baby guinea pig is called a pup. Then, the ultrasound probe is placed on skin and emits a high-frequency sound that is inaudible to human ears. Once, I had a friend who didnt care about a drastic weight change in his female guinea pig. Publisher: Pergamon. So having their cagemates with them could be a good choice. But when pregnant, the mother needs to enrich herself for the pain she is about to endure and should provide nutrition for her babies. The average Guinea pig gestation period is 68 days with a range of 59 - 72 days. Guinea pigs have a much shorter timeline of pregnancy than humans. Doing otherwise can cause pregnancy complications or miscarriage. Have a visiting vet every once in a while. "We just found out that one of our guinea pigs is male and the other is pregnant! What is the one thing that could get a guinea pig pregnant? they were both female and have been living together. He never thought of the idea that his pet was pregnant. The ultrasound exam involves involves clipping a small square of fur and applying gel to the exposed skin. Here, we investigated the effects of parental age, parity, and . As weeks go by, the mother's belly will become tighter and bulkier. But I am only writing about this because it was actually asked by someone online! They may be willing to attend themselves, or you may have to contact an experienced breeder. However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. If you cannot check on the sow because of work etc. ", Scary after reading all this. Never offer the same vegetable two days running. Critical Care or a similar product as it is likely you will need it for at least one pup. A female can give birth to up to 5 litters per year. Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. We took her to vet for check up.. With cute little fingers, hair, and adorable teeth, open ears & eyes, they are just the apt definition of awesomeness! Not all guinea pigs are capable of handling the stress of a pregnancy. It goes without saying that they need emotional stability during pregnancy when they are drowning in fluctuating hormone levels. This is because sperm can survive in his tubes for this length of time. I have been given an 8 week old guinea pig that is pregnant, and her half-sister. Due to several factors including age, weight, other diseases, nutritive health, etc., females could be inefficient of nourishing and/or delivering the litter. This refers to the time between your guinea pig becoming pregnant and its offspring being born. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. To feel for fetuses, place the sow on a towel on a firm surface. 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. 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. 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. Some of you might think of this question as absurd. To learn more about what to expect during the pregnancy, read on! Guinea pigs go through four or five estrus cycles every year. I grew up with everything from dogs and cats to rabbits and guinea pigs. In addition, you may want to increase your guinea pig's fiber intake. We do not control or have responsibility for the content of any third-party site. Keep the two in separate cages until one of them is fixed. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. . 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. This site is run by Anna, Niklas and Jesper - three curious, caring and animal-loving people. She could also become pregnancy just two hours after she gives birth. As if that is not bad news enough, even mothers suffer death immediately after delivery because of malnutrition. Yeah, tests are very very important to take appropriate care of your pregnant guinea pig. Remove any other pregnant sows. How long is a guinea pig pregnant for? You should also provide a box, like a small shoe box on its side. So you have to be cautious enough to prevent another pregnancy in your guinea pig. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. However, toxemia is in part a lack of sugar, so keeping sugar levels high is important. He was lonely, so my family decided to get a girl for him to. But it contains more than necessary amounts for a regular guinea pig. The placenta contains hormones which can trigger contractions. Guinea pig's pregnancy: final stage. This article was very helpful in letting us know what to expect and what to do when our female goes into labor, etc. The pups will likely lose weight for the first three days, but after this it should pick up again. 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. Make note of all the foods that you offer her, with the quantity and time. You should absolutely, Alfalfa hay is rich in calcium and protein. But that does not mean that you should not give them access to outdoors. This information is then translated into an image. Enter search terms to find related veterinary topics, multimedia and more. Zealotstim 4 mo. So, in this article, let's see how a fetus will change week by week to become a baby. 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. 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. Even at such a small size, they have hair and are able to see and run. Guinea Pig Vomit: Everything You Need To Know. You need to understand that your guinea pig cannot bear the pain of her pregnancy when she gets handled by you. Do not cage them. o [alopecia OR hair loss ], , BVSc, DVP, DACLAM, DABVP(ECM), The Kenneth S Warren Institute. If the sow becomes uninterested in food contact your veterinarian immediately. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. In long-haired breeds, it gets even worse. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-portrait-2','ezslot_21',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-portrait-2-0');After birth, the recovery is pretty speedy in guinea pigs. Finally, have the pregnancy confirmed by a veterinarian, who can perform an ultrasound and give you information about caring for a pregnant guinea pig. However, with the proper care, this risk can be significantly reduced and your pregnant guinea pig can be kept in good health. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. The Merck Veterinary Manual was first published in 1955 as a service to the community. The mother has a single pair of mammary glands from which the newborns will nurse until about 3 weeks of age. Caution: What makes guinea pigs very different from humans in pregnancy is their lactation patterns. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. For young guinea pigs, this may include supplementing her diet with Critical Care of a similar product. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_14',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0');Fun Fact: You may think that the more the number of babies, the longer it takes for them to get born. ask a friend or neighbour to check on her. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. 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. Between 1 and 8 guinea pig babies with 4 being the most common number of guinea pigs per litter. 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. The labor: You can hear distinct cries of her before she goes into labor. Mother strains for 15 minutes without producing a pup. Our professionals are qualified to care for your guinea pig. If you wanna make the process of pregnancy easier on your pal, you better read this section with maximum attention. This period starts from the first day of the last period before your baby is born. While a female guinea pig is in estrus and he spends time with her overnight, results in her pregnancy. What is the Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs? Safety from injury should take precedence over hygiene. Whilst a pup becoming stuck in the birth canal or born breech is common, never intervene yourself. Males are territorial. X Ammonia irritates the lungs of pigs and will predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections. 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. But make sure your handling of her is minimal. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 324,740 times. So, the first step in knowing if your guinea pig is pregnant? Though this window usually falls between 2-3 months old, some can even be mature after only a single month. This is a common occurrence; roughly 1 in 5 guinea pigs will die as a direct result of pregnancy or birth. Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA(known as MSD outside of the US and Canada) is dedicated to using the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. ", needed available in a clear, concise manner, super simple, and now I feel confident in my unexpected blessing. ", know if the sow is having a baby or babies. 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. As the pregnancy develops, carefully check the guinea pig twice a week for signs of illness, like crusty eyes or a patchy coat. This is because sows who are too young are at a greater risk of vitamin deficiencies during pregnancy. This helped me, "Glad we got educated early. When they reach about 6 ounces (170 g), the offspring will stop nursing and eat the same foods as their parents. Again, it could also be because of fat. 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. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. Since guinea pigs attain sexual maturity as early as 6 weeks in their life, even young guinea pigs are bound to get pregnant. Even though the birthing can be handled by yourself, it is better to leave it to licensed veterinarians to avoid last minute complications. Sows that reach adulthood without a prior pregnancy may not be able to deliver their young normally. Be aware that young guinea pigs will begin to eat more as they grow anyway. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. ", care of my guinea pig and I am so sure that she is healthy and will have my little baby friends soon! 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. By this time, your pet's pelvic bones will have widened enough to make way for the pups . [1] They may prescribe treatment that includes injections of dextrose solutions, steroids and calcium, which may or may not be effective. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_15',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-1-0');The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) can be a helpful natural contraceptive in case of humans for a brief period after the birth of a child. But believe me, it does. So they wont fight with each other. Make note of the time and amount of water during each refill. Commonly, their size would be ranging from eight to ten inches. To tell if your guinea pig is pregnant, start by observing her eating habits to gauge whether she's eating and drinking more than usual. Find out the Stages Of Pregnancy By Week. 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! Feed your guinea pig alfalfa hay instead of timothy hay so that she gets more protein and calcium. They interact to convey everything they feel, with distinct voices and physical gestures, irrespective of the nature of the emotion. The temperature outside or in a garage/shed usually becomes too cold at night for a pregnant guinea pig. ago. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. The ultrasound, is a non-invasive procedure and can confirm the pregnancy. For example, carrots contain lots of oxalate. Feeling the abdomen needs to be done by a professional because it is easy to mistake the bladder, kidney, or even an enlarged ovary for a foetus. It is important to begin to carefully handle young guinea pigs when they are only 2 or 3 weeks old. 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. Though it depends on the size of the litter, a guinea pig pregnancy lasts 59-72 days. The guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72 days. ?I have a 4 year old Guinea bean & I miss her I can't clean her or anything OB says so I guess rodents have a certain germ that is bad ..? Of course, as you probably already know, a break between two consecutive estrus cycles can be caused only by a pregnancy. In Summary. Stress is one of the most common reasons for death in guinea pigs, during pregnancy no less! The normal pregnancy period of a woman is 40 weeks. Check to see that the guinea pig is eating and drinking; extra vitamin C may also be helpful. This is going to be all the more obvious if she was a very active female before she was pregnant. have company. Pregnancy Symptoms Week 14. 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. After the surgery, keep your pet quiet and separated from other guinea pigs while recovering. "Just found out our rescued pig was pregnant even after two exams and one ultrasound. If it is pregnancy, your veterinarian will give you an appraisal of the progress and give you advice on how to care for your piggy. How many babies do guinea pigs get per litter? The guinea pig may die during or after pregnancy due to complications during pregnancy or birth, or from toxemia after birth. Antreprenoriat BT. But compromising on the perfection of those necessities wont cause much immediate trouble when she is not pregnant. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. So follow a routine. 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. There will come a time when you'll be able to clearly see the babies moving inside the mother, and even the different parts of their anatomy. "I recently adopted two pigs but realized I would have many more very soon. AmberCalzone Well-known Member. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-4','ezslot_12',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-4-0');For how long is a guinea pig pregnant? But it is quite the opposite. It is not very different from human pregnancy. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. If there is a likelihood any of the pups are born with this condition you must decide what action you will take. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. 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