guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week

We want to provide you with all the information for your furry little pals! Have a visiting vet every once in a while. This is because sows who are too young are at a greater risk of vitamin deficiencies during pregnancy. Grooming requires a lot of handling. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). This helped me, "Glad we got educated early. 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. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. Support wikiHow by The vet will assess the guinea pigs condition. Offer fresh vegetables every day. In general, veterinarians do not recommend that individual pet owners attempt to breed guinea pigs. Guinea pigs have a much shorter timeline of pregnancy than humans. To learn more about what to expect during the pregnancy, read on! Of course, all these are high school zoology concepts. The vitamin C required by a pregnant female is obviously more than that required by one that isnt pregnant. However, do not assume that your guinea pig is pregnant based on just how much she is eating or drinking. ", Scary after reading all this. However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. Even though having a vet all the time is not convenient. 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. 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. This prevents an excess of one particular mineral that might be contained in that vegetable. Feed your guinea pig alfalfa hay instead of timothy hay so that she gets more protein and calcium. Once, I had a friend who didnt care about a drastic weight change in his female guinea pig. During the last two weeks of pregnancy, do not handle the sow. Now they are about the normal size of an adult guinea pig like the first ones you see if you google. Males mature a little slower on average, but not by much. 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. Do not handle her all the time like before. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. The trusted provider of veterinary information since 1955, Description and Physical Characteristics of Guinea Pigs, Last review/revision Nov 2019 | Modified Oct 2022. But now that they are arrested in your home, you must be ready to step up and take responsibility. Make sure hay is freely available at all times, and provide in a large ball the guinea pig can burrow in. How can I tell? Not all guinea pigs are capable of handling the stress of a pregnancy. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Increased fiber intake can prevent hair thinning, which is common in the last stage of pregnancy. This will keep your guinea pig from slipping. It will be too stressful for her. How Can You Know How Far Along Your Guinea Pigs Pregnancy is? Another sign is a hike in food intake. The labor: You can hear distinct cries of her before she goes into labor. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. You should be able to implement it. Also called as parturition in scientific terms, the birth, of course, is the part where the litter is delivered. 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. If you need it, you dont want to have to hunt around for it. 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. You vet may also be able to hear the piglets' heartbeats in the sow's abdomen. Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. Reduce exposure to loud noises or bright lights. If your pregnant guinea pig does not meet the age requirements, talk to your vet about a pregnancy plan. As early as six weeks of age. Antreprenoriat BT. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_8',124,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. Anywhere between 59-72 days. Never offer the same vegetable two days running. We took her to vet for check up.. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. The vet may try to manipulate the piglet into a position where the mother can pass it. Pregnancy Symptoms Week 14. The ultrasound, is a non-invasive procedure and can confirm the pregnancy. You need to understand that your guinea pig cannot bear the pain of her pregnancy when she gets handled by you. Females can become pregnant immediately after giving birth so make sure that there are no males nearby. Finally, have the pregnancy confirmed by a veterinarian, who can perform an ultrasound and give you information about caring for a pregnant guinea pig. Birth can sometimes be more complicated because of several medical reasons. 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. As a general rule, the larger the litter, the shorter guinea pig gestation tends to be. Critical Care or a similar product as it is likely you will need it for at least one pup. Not always is it ensured that the mother will deliver her litter by natural means. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. To prevent high stress levels, which can lead to disease, keep your guinea pig away from direct sunlight. 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. References ", 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. When your guinea pigs reach 16 weeks of age, it is the time that they mature significantly. Place it in a sheltered part of the hutch, away from draughts. The Merck Veterinary Manual was first published in 1955 as a service to the community. 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. Facultatea Business si Turism. Excess vitamin C is passed in the urine so cant be over-dosed, but other vitamins can build up and create problems. Publisher: Pergamon. . They will have been eating solids from a few days old so will cope without their mothers milk at this age. But pregnancy is far from straightforward for guinea pigs. % of people told us that this article helped them. If the sow becomes uninterested in food contact your veterinarian immediately. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Most pregnant guinea pigs do not move as actively as their normal days. 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. Guinea pigs are certainly cute. 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. If it declines every day or continues to change after 5 days, consult the vet. Cavy . Of course, much much cuter! The normal pregnancy period of a woman is 40 weeks. Diseases such as toxemia are caused easily in pregnant females. To learn more about what to expect during the pregnancy, read on! Here, we investigated the effects of parental age, parity, and . That's right, in many cases guinea pigs are pregnant for less than two months before they give birth to their litter. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 . Alfalfa hay is great for pregnant, nursing and young guinea pigs but the calcium content is too high for normal guinea pigs as a build-up of calcium can cause bladder stones. Small litters do not cause the belly to enlarge significantly, and will not be as noticeable. So you have to be cautious enough to prevent another pregnancy in your guinea pig. Despre Club; Echipa; FRESHconsult Last Updated: September 18, 2022 Doing otherwise can cause pregnancy complications or miscarriage. Breeding often reduces the lifespan of female guinea pigs. But compromising on the perfection of those necessities wont cause much immediate trouble when she is not pregnant. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Avoid putting any pressure on her body. ask a friend or neighbour to check on her. She could also become pregnancy just two hours after she gives birth. This article has been viewed 447,279 times. It is not very different from human pregnancy. If the weight does not pick up, or a pup does not improve with additional feeding, consult the vet. All guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but do not nest specifically because of pregnancy. This information is then translated into an image. Check to see that the guinea pig is eating and drinking; extra vitamin C may also be helpful. Absolutely pregnant. Every trimester of the pregnancy in humans, there are differences in the methods of taking care, right? 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. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. Make note of the time and amount of water during each refill. This site is run by Anna, Niklas and Jesper - three curious, caring and animal-loving people. How much depends on the size of the litter, but her weight should never begin fall. If they do mate, I will now. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. Though it is usually closer to 3-4 months. ", the things on wikiHow and my guinea pig gave birth to three boys and one girl. When they reach about 6 ounces (170 g), the offspring will stop nursing and eat the same foods as their parents. ", pet they can be, and how to play with them. 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. And believe me, you would not want to live with the guilt if something goes wrong. 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. Shortly after giving birth, guinea pigs begin a fresh estrous cycle that lasts only about half a day. If any of the pups is definitely alive, but is not alert or able to see or walk then contact your vet immediately. But to a pregnant guinea pig, it does! Their shapes are very cylindrical-like and can be compared to tangerines in body appearance. It is worth noting that female guinea pigs can get pregnant at four weeks old. Pregnancy is hard work for a female guinea pig. Caution: What makes guinea pigs very different from humans in pregnancy is their lactation patterns. Approved. To Avoid Stress, You Need to Take Several Measures Obviously. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. unlocking this expert answer. An unneutered male guinea pig! [1] 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. 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. Use your dominant hand to feel her belly. 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. ?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 ..? Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. The minute you are sure your guinea pig is pregnant, make sure you get it to your vets attention. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. 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). 4. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Yeah, tests are very very important to take appropriate care of your pregnant guinea pig. So it is well over 3 months since the operation. Other adverse effects include a loss of appetite out of fear, which could also result in fatal effects. I didnt know whether to hit him in the face for the negligence or to feel sorry for his loss. As a general rule, guinea pigs do not respond well to anaesthetic so if it is possible, separating the sexes is a safer option. You should absolutely, Alfalfa hay is rich in calcium and protein. My guinea pig's quite fat, but when we went to the vet, she wasn't pregnant. The kidney, bladder, or even fecal pellets can all be easily mistaken for fetuses. HappyPiggies14 Well-known Member. If your guinea pig allows you to touch her, use your fingers to gently examine her sides and stomach. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, Aiutare un Porcellino d'India in Gravidanza, s'occuper d'un cochon d'Inde durant la priode de gestation. For young guinea pigs, this may include supplementing her diet with Critical Care of a similar product. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. they were both female and have been living together. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. If the other sow eats it, their own pregnancy may be induced. 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. If you wanna make the process of pregnancy easier on your pal, you better read this section with maximum attention. "I took my guinea pig to the vet and found out she will have babies. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. For obvious reasons, your guinea pig needs extra nutrition when she is pregnant. Guinea pigs should be split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks old. Research source If pregnant, your guinea pig may have a single piglet or up to 3-4. 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. Guinea pig pregnancy, there is a fine line between it sounding scary and it sounding heartening. The pups will likely lose weight for the first three days, but after this it should pick up again. Publisher: Pergamon While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. Newborn guinea pigs weigh about 3.5 ounces (100 g). This is because sperm can survive in his tubes for this length of time. If you are concerned about the mother or have serious health worries about one of the pups contact a vet immediately, however. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Zealotstim 4 mo. Female guinea pigs begin a new estrous cycle shortly after giving birth. The placenta contains hormones which can trigger contractions. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. It is not recommended to breed guinea pigs. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. We might have made some serious mistakes out of ignorance. Males born in the same litter are brothers, right? So you may think that grooming them with regular attention, or even more during pregnancy, is needed. Some of you might think of this question as absurd. Please confirm that you are a health care professional. 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. Because guinea pigs have a high infant mortality rate. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. Gently press inwards and see if you feel any lumps or bumps inside her tummy. Regardless of how pregnancy occurs, the average guinea pig gestation period is 65 days. Things to Watch Out for During Guinea Pig Pregnancy If you suspect that your guinea pig is experiencing any of these during gestation, try to take them to a veterinarian to get diagnosed properly. Last Updated: November 26, 2022 So how long are guinea pigs pregnant? If I felt my pregnant guinea pig's belly and caused her a miscarriage, what would the signs be? But even if your locality has cold weather, it is still worth enough to take your guinea pig to the vet. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. For example, carrots contain lots of oxalate. Guinea pigs are important animal models for human disease, and both outbred and inbred lines are utilized in biomedical research. Sows that reach adulthood without a prior pregnancy may not be able to deliver their young normally. Since guinea pigs attain sexual maturity as early as 6 weeks in their life, even young guinea pigs are bound to get pregnant. And the babies? But that should be done only when you are present to monitor. The mothers lactation period lasts for about two or three weeks. You should also provide a box, like a small shoe box on its side. They may prescribe treatment that includes injections of dextrose solutions, steroids and calcium, which may or may not be effective. Enjoy! The mothers weight will vary for a few days whilst she re-adjusts but should settle within five days. {"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":"