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. This is when the single-celled zygote develops into full baby guinea pigs by cell division. 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. Maybe in the woods, they can take care of themselves. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. 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. 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 wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Then the male started trying to jump over the female. Any one else has pets that you can't pet or hold ? A few weeks later I noticed she was getting bigger, I was curious to see if she was pregnant. If you are thinking that your few weeks old female guinea pigs cannot be pregnant, youre wrong! 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. Enjoy! Use for phrases If you feel something and you're not certain what it is, then consult your veterinarian. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. When you are sure the birth is over, you can assist the sow in cleaning by removing any stained bedding. 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. Giving her higher quality hay, more fruits & vegetables, essential nutrient pellets, abundant fresh water, are all things that should be done even when she is not pregnant. They belong to the family Cavidae, which contains 14 species of animals commonly known as cavies and Patagonian hares (or maras). Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. It is entirely possible for a male pup to impregnate its mother or sisters. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). But when she is, you have no choice but to give nothing less than the perfect. no im not breeding i thought my guinea pig was a boy but he was actually a she and now shes pregnant . There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. All guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but do not nest specifically because of pregnancy. Outdoor time, again, with your availability to monitor. Facultatea Business si Turism. Pregnancy for guinea pigs or guinea pig gestation period can last anywhere from 59 days to 72 days, though the average is 65 days. However, guinea pigs often do not react well to surgery, anesthesia, or being kept in unfamiliar surroundings. Enjoy! Vitamin C is highly unstable and breaks down within 8 weeks of the manufacturing date. Feed your guinea pig alfalfa hay instead of timothy hay so that she gets more protein and calcium. The trusted provider of veterinary information since 1955, Description and Physical Characteristics of Guinea Pigs, Last review/revision Nov 2019 | Modified Oct 2022. I would start looking up local guinea pig rescues so they can take some babies and help getting all the pigs fixed before she gets pregnant again (this can happen very fast after she gives birth). So how about the baby guinea pigs? It can be hard to tell when your pregnant guinea pig is going to deliver her babies because unlike dogs and cats, they do not prepare a nest. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Selective feeding is where the guinea pig chooses the tastier bits of food over less tasty but often more nutritious foods. Despre Club; Echipa; FRESHconsult Small litters do not cause the belly to enlarge significantly, and will not be as noticeable. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. The gestation period in guinea pigs varies between 59 and 72 days. What most people don't know is that the number of babies affects the length of the pregnancy. She could also become pregnancy just two hours after she gives birth. The mothers weight will vary for a few days whilst she re-adjusts but should settle within five days. 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. Critical Care or a similar product as it is likely you will need it for at least one pup. So do not be surprised if a young little guinea pig you just brought home is already pregnant! Guinea pig's pregnancy: final stage. This allows you to gauge what is normal, so that if she becomes unwell and stops eating, or becomes very thirsty, you will pick up clues early on. However, a caesarean surgery may be required. Males are territorial. At what age can guinea pigs mate? It goes without saying that they need emotional stability during pregnancy when they are drowning in fluctuating hormone levels. If several fetuses are present, you will feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a similar size. Though it is usually closer to 3-4 months. 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. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. That's right, in many cases guinea pigs are pregnant for less than two months before they give birth to their litter. My guinea pig is pregnant, and I'm worried she might be sick. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. But it is quite the opposite. Do not bath the sow during pregnancy. Symptoms include refusal to eat, lethargy, and rapid weight loss. However, there are some signs you can watch for at home. Lethal guinea pigs are white in colour (not albino) are born blind, usually in both eyes, have crooked or deformed teeth, are often also deaf and often suffer from internal deformities particularly to the digestive organs. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. Please confirm that you are a health care professional. How Can You Know How Far Along Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy is? Diseases such as toxemia are caused easily in pregnant females. But doctors these days make the surgery sound like the only choice so that they could fill their pockets. 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. And believe me, you would not want to live with the guilt if something goes wrong. I have been given an 8 week old guinea pig that is pregnant, and her half-sister. You vet may also be able to hear the piglets' heartbeats in the sow's abdomen. Guinea pigs are important animal models for human disease, and both outbred and inbred lines are utilized in biomedical research. I grew up with everything from dogs and cats to rabbits and guinea pigs. Their shapes are very cylindrical-like and can be compared to tangerines in body appearance. Does anybody have like weekly signs of guinea pig pregnancy like week one no sights week two they eat more something like that thanks . Use OR to account for alternate terms By using our site, you agree to our. This is going to be all the more obvious if she was a very active female before she was pregnant. As early as six weeks of age. Finally, have the pregnancy confirmed by a veterinarian, who can perform an ultrasound and give you information about caring for a pregnant guinea pig. Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. ", 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. But thats wrong! Research source To learn more about what to expect during the pregnancy, read on! He never thought of the idea that his pet was pregnant. You may think a little touch or petting couldnt hurt. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The Merck Veterinary Manual was first published in 1955 as a service to the community. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). So how long are guinea pigs pregnant? Clean the water bottle weekly to prevent the build-up of algae and bacteria. Research source And hand those records to your vert during his weekly visit so that he can comprehend the situation in hand better. This article has been viewed 324,740 times. Since guinea pigs attain sexual maturity as early as 6 weeks in their life, even young guinea pigs are bound to get pregnant. During the last two weeks of pregnancy, do not handle the sow. 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. The pups do not require a heat lamp or heating pad. Yeah, tests are very very important to take appropriate care of your pregnant guinea pig. Finally, feed your guinea pig high quality hay and pellets throughout its pregnancy. After about two or three weeks of pregnancy, the baby guinea pigs can be physically felt. The whole pregnancy period. Stage #2. But make sure your handling of her is minimal. Make note of all the foods that you offer her, with the quantity and time. AmberCalzone Well-known Member. 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). But what I was certain about, is that no other guinea pig should face the same fate. 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. Guinea pigs, even when not pregnant, are vulnerable to mood swings. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. They will have been eating solids from a few days old so will cope without their mothers milk at this age. A good idea is to weigh your female guinea pig regularly (perhaps weekly) and to record the weight. Do not crowd the mother have only one person in the room, but another on standby to make calls if necessary. 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. This is the period when young guinea pigs will develop bonds with humans and learn to accept being held. We read that the more babies she is carrying will result in a shorter pregnancy. Not only does it scare her, but also causes pain due to the pressure put by our arms. 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. Do not handle her all the time like before. 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. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. 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. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. Between 1 and 8 guinea pig babies with 4 being the most common number of guinea pigs per litter. Until we noticed that her belly got bigger than it should be. % of people told us that this article helped them. Then they started to do an unusual sound, which I suspected was a mating call. Rough handling may cause miscarriage. Guinea pigs should be split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks old. Make sure hay is freely available at all times, and provide in a large ball the guinea pig can burrow in. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. 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. Even a slight mishandling could lead to enormous amounts of pain. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! If you are concerned about the mother or have serious health worries about one of the pups contact a vet immediately, however. 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. Immediate veterinary care is required, but the prognosis is usually very poor. 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. The average Guinea pig gestation period is 68 days with a range of 59 - 72 days. Introduce the male pups to the father and any other boars you have. If you feel lumps under your fingers this is a sign the female is pregnant. The ultrasound exam involves involves clipping a small square of fur and applying gel to the exposed skin. I did all, "I think that it was great help. 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. HappyPiggies14 Well-known Member. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. Individual pet owners should not attempt to breed guinea pigs, according to experts, for two very important reasons: It is important to begin to carefully handle young guinea pigs when they are only 2 or 3 weeks old. 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. In general, veterinarians do not recommend that individual pet owners attempt to breed guinea pigs. Wash out the water bottle with a gentle dish soap every few days. Males mature a little slower on average, but not by much. As a general rule, guinea pigs do not respond well to anaesthetic so if it is possible, separating the sexes is a safer option. Whilst a pup becoming stuck in the birth canal or born breech is common, never intervene yourself. Left untreated, both the mother and the pups will die. My guinea pig is a female American guinea pig. Adults are no longer growing but still require macro-nutrients like fiber and protein, as well as micro-nutrients like the vitamins and minerals that are found in a timothy hay-based, uniform fortified food. ", Scary after reading all this. Make note of the time and amount of water during each refill. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. Neutering a male is generally easier than spaying a female. How much depends on the size of the litter, but her weight should never begin fall. This happens not only in human pregnancy but also in the case of animals. Approved. A baby guinea pig is called a pup. Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. He is an exotic vet. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? 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! Giving them their favorite toys and treats. 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