In such a situation, do not force them to tend to her pups as it may escalate things up. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. In common, by the end of a pregnancy, the pregnant guinea pigs load will have doubled; the piglets normally make up more than half of the sows weight. So it is of utmost importance that you keep male and female guinea pigs isolated on the off chance that you dont need pregnancies to happen. This gilt's pregnancy indicator is pointing up. Are you still deciding whether to breed your female cavy? Guinea pigs need extra vitamin C during pregnancy, so you may see her favoring the products of the soil having the vitamin C in high quantity over those lacking it. When laboring, sows lay down in the nesting area and become quiet. Duration of guinea pig pregnancy depends on the number of pups: the larger the litter the shorter the pregnancy. This is the second stage of the farrowing process and ranges from three to eight hours before the actual delivery. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If pregnant, your guinea pig may have a single piglet or up to 3-4. During pregnancy, a thick plug of mucus blocks the cervical opening to prevent bacteria from entering the uterus. Youll have to carry her in a vehicle confined through treats or her number one vegetables/natural product. Yet, they may emit a similar sound after the baby comes out. Cessation of this agitated behavior indicates labor has begun. Place the cage away from direct sunlight and from places where there are loud noises present. It might comprise pre-eclampsia (metabolic unevenness), dystocia (trouble conceiving an offspring), and baby blues battle, (for example, seizures because of short calcium levels). She will give out a cry just as she goes into labor, and it will take about five minutes to birth a pup. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 hours, most often during night hours. The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) displays many features of gestational physiology that makes it the most translationally relevant rodent species. Also, one may observe a mucous discharge from the vulva. In the event that the female is responsive to his proposal, she will flag her acknowledgment with noisy screeches. Required fields are marked *. However, even without the mothers milk baby guinea pigs can survive feeding only on solid food. mypetguineapig.com may be compensated when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else on the page. The whole process from first contraction to last baby can be as short as 15 minutes, and up to 40 minutes depending on how many babies she has. I have no idea when she was bred. Start Now. Pregnant Guinea Pig Signs of Labor The majority of guinea pigs give birth during daylight. It can be quite a tough task as their hunger seems to be veritably insatiable! Even though you can assist the birthing by yourself, its always better to leave it to licensed professionals. Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that this isnt medical advice and if you assume there might be a health-related issue, you should contact your vet. Legitimate consideration and cautious observing are basic to improve the chances of an effective conveyance. Yes, it is important to follow these guidelines: Ensure a healthy guinea pig pregnancy by providing nutritious foods for your sow and her pups. They will lick and lick till you think she is trying to remove their fur. Cheers, Adrian @ GuineaPigCare.com.au, Adrian, thank you so much for making this post. Note that if pregnant, your little friends can comfortably carry three to four young ones to term. Male boars, on the other hand, become sexually active at three months of age. There should be little or no blood, especially before any babies have been produced. The estrous cycle is somewhat typical in means of behavioral changes of the female guinea pig. Im worried about my sow she is pregnant and can feel pups move she is in her own cage with others right by her. A guinea pigs pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. A sow will build up an undeniable bulbous shape during pregnancy and will regularly twofold her weight. She may likewise drink more water than normal. Sometimes its the uterus lacking contractions; sometimes its a pup ending up stuck in the birth canal. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least. Most guinea pigs give birth in the daytime hours. Ensure your guinea pig has enough food and water, Can Guinea Pigs Eat Turnip Greens? The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. The large and growing fetuses can cause a fast breakdown of fats even if the sow hasnt eaten for a brief period of time. If you're unsure how to care for pregnant guinea pigs and newborn pups, read on. Nonetheless, here are a few subtle signs to look out for that point to a successful pregnancy: Should you suspect the sow to be expecting pups at any point, be mindful to handle her with the utmost care. mypetguineapig.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. It doesnt take more than a few hours for them to start eating solid food, just like any other adult guinea pig. Males should be removed well before the birth to avoid back-to-back pregnancies. Normal labor should be short and sweet. 5. Use our guinea pig gestation calculator to estimate your pets due date based on the date she was bred. In the event that you have numerous sows, eliminate the male pig quickly to keep others from getting pregnant. There should be one for every baby. Let us delve deeper and find out more about pregnancies in guinea pigs and how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant. Their gestational period may last between 59 - 72 days. Just to clarify (as most of you know). Also, any pig that is pregnant conveys a one out of five possibilities of biting the dust as an immediate consequence of complexities during or after pregnancy or birth. She. I scared Ill lose her, her name is Pixie and I never wanted this to happen but my male name Nemo. If there are male guinea pigs present at the time of birth, they will compete between themselves to mate with the mother and protect the newborn guinea pigs. Monitor a pregnant sow's behavior closely as delivery date approaches. Many others survive but with complicationscostly to you, painful to her. Otherwise, he will be dragging the placenta around. Usually, the occurrence is 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after giving birth. Hence, when housed together, a guinea pig pregnancy can occur very early and very often.. Every pregnancy varies from individual to individual but theres definitely a silver lining, just as with any other space. If male guinea pigs are in the vicinity, you might see them congregating around a pregnant female just prior to labor. All Rights Reserved. I know guinea pigs don't. Some sows take up caring for their young ones right away after birth. If you feel movement in addition to lumpiness, that's a clear sign she is pregnant. Even if your pet has completed the farrowing process, there are vital signs you should observe. When she has a contraction, she will kind of hunch up. Not knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in guinea pigs can prove to be a nightmare. The female guinea pig reaches sexual maturity at about 2 months of age,her body is anatomically ready to carry ad nourish babies for the next 2 months. Before pregnancy, the two lovebirds must mate. Hamsters and Guinea Pigs Can They Live Together. After the commotion of a mating ritual, keep a close eye on the sow. A cesarian section surgery will likely be necessary.. Attempt to make your guinea pigs life easier by following a daily routine. They interact with voices and gestures to show you everything they feel. Do let us know when the babies are born. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! The mother remains at risk for some medical complications for a few days after giving birth, so keep a close eye on her. Sometimes, they prolapse their uterus, and you will need to get to a vet. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Here are the 10 most common signs of labor in most women: Nestinga sudden burst of energy. After the seventh week, the animal enters the late stage of guinea pig pregnancy. Degu Health Problems Common Diseases and Treatments. They pace and build nests with straw or available materials. Their gestational period may last between 59 - 72 days. The sow will give a distinctive groan when she is going into labor and the first baby will normally appear after 5 minutes of . These short haired "cavies" come in many different breeds; the most popular among them is the American, which is characterized by a roman nose which is slightly rounded. Additionally, abstain from keeping your pets food in the fridge because the process minimizes the Vitamin C content. If you notice a pup with the sac remaining over its face, break the membrane open with your finger nail. Male guinea pigs will keep on mounting pregnant sows, which can put pressure or torment your pregnant sow late in the pregnancy (after the 50-day mark). Great news! I researched, stressed, slept . Guinea pigs eat more when they're pregnant. One of my guinea pigs is pregnant! Once the pups come out, the mother licks and devours the fetal substances plus the placenta. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. Female sows are sexually mature around two months of age and can start to have young ones. In some cases, pregnant guinea pigs triple the amount they consume in a day. You probably wont see numerous physical and social indications of pregnancy in guinea pigs from the start. Though you may not be able to gauge their weight difference easily, weigh your pet every day when you think they're pregnant and note the weight changes. . Other potential complications are prolapse, retained placenta, uterine tears, etc. She eats those to keep predators from discovering the babies. Thats why a female guinea pig should be bred before the permanent hardening on the pelvic canal. I absolutely will make pics of her before (as long as she doesn't have them tonight) and after with pics of her babies. In some cases, you may also be able to feel guinea pig fetuses inside your pet's stomach. Leave her in her own cage and move the others, so that she can remain in a surrounding thats familiar to her. In reality, close to 20% of expectant sows die while giving birth. If you were unaware of it before, guinea pigs mate early and often which means different genders should be separated when kept as pets. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. Guinea Pig Gestation Period: How Long Is Guinea Pig Pregnancy? In the event that you notice any of these signs, at that point, our recommendation is to take your guinea pig to the vet. The male guinea pig is called a boar, while the female is known as a sow. This is because the strain and pressure implicated puts at risk the life of a female guinea pig. Though it may sound hard to believe, the fact is, its true! While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. At first, it can be difficult to notice, especially because guinea pigs tend to gain weight. Once they are one to two finger-widths apart, it wont be long until birth. 1. What is a Group of Guinea Pigs Called? To decide when the introduction of the young ones will happen is frequently troublesome in that they have a long development period, and that the sows dont assemble homes. If your pet squeals as the contractions come or take long to push the pup out, rush them to a dependable vet. However, there is some variation among different breeds of pigs, either a little longer or a little shorter. Thats because they dont want other males to approach her. For an effective process, ensure that your pregnant sows consume fresh veggies and fruits hay each day. Attempt to find a vet who has considerable experience in dealing with rodents and other little creatures, instead of simply a nonexclusive vet. If your guinea pig is pregnant, she may have a single piglet or up to 3 or 4. Guinea pigs are not nesters, so you might not notice any changes in behavior as delivery time gets closer. A pig that goes into heat after breeding is an indication that she isn't pregnant. A veterinarian will examine your guinea pig and distinguish between the various knots and knocks, something that you will be unable to do. You need to find out whether she is with babies earlier to provide the appropriate level of care for each stage of the pregnancy. This behavior serves as an attempt not only to soon breed with the female, but also to guard her from danger. Hmmm, wonder how many the hubby will let me keep. And post pictures of the babies. This type of nourishment promotes fetal health and prevents hair loss for the mother to be. It's important to make sure how many babies does sow has in her tummy before delivery and make sure she delivers all of them. 5. An uncomplicated birth process takes not more than 30 minutes. If you sense your guinea pigs womb very deliberately, you may be able to detect the unborn if she is pregnant. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. Register for free to enjoy the full benefits. Medical Disclaimer: VIVOPets.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. Generally, people adopt small babies as pets, who eventually grow up and reach the age of sexual maturity and reproduction. The release of the placenta is the third and final farrowing stage. A List of Safe, Healthy Chewables for your CaviesContinue, Are you searching for an awesome guinea-pig-themed gift? Guinea pups, once born, will be completely furry. She also needs extra vitamin C; you can give at least 10mg orally. However, they are more prone to health problems in the latter stages of pregnancy. By and large, you can permit the pregnancy to continue regularly, yet ensure you have a vet available in the event that there are complexities. Watch your sow for signs of illness during pregnancy. If you are present, and she is still cleaning up a baby and is not tending to the next one, get a clean towel and carefully pick the baby up, take the sac off the baby, and rub it gently to make sure it is breathing. Are there any signs of birth before it happens? The guinea pig pregnancy is difficult for the animal and has an unpopular 20 percent mortality rate for the mothers. Loud squeals are a sign that she accepted him. There are three stages of the farrowing process; pre-farrowing, farrowing, and after-birth expulsion. Signs of Pregnancy. That is normal. The true respect they deserve. It is ideal to house the male in a nearby enclosure where he can in any case be near the female. Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, and usually the mother removes it and eats it. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. During this time, keep watch for the following: Dystocia, or difficult birth, is common in sows who are older than 7-8 months and bred for the first time. A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. Guinea pigs are without a doubt cute, and baby guinea pigs climb twice as high on the cuteness ladder. Your vet may likewise hear the piglets pulses in the sows mid-region. How To Know when a pig is going into labor. Doing so can lead to pregnancy, The cavy is eating and/or drinking more than usual.. Guinea pig pregnancy week-by-week may sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy parent. Guinea Pig Death Process Dead or in Shock. A pregnant guinea will start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy propels. If youre going to breed your sow, be certain she is young enough, because when they are older than around six months their hip bones grow too closely together to permit easy birthing. The feeding of a pregnant guinea pig should also include the following modifications: Calcium enriched hay as pregnancy increases guinea pig calcium requirements. This could expand her pressure and influence her eating and drinking habits. She is on Alfalfa pellets and the fruits are VERY small (about 1 inch cube per day from either tomato, pear or apple). Sometimes she may wait to attend the young ones until all babies are delivered. Polar fleece is perfect. As soon as you suspect a successful mating, supplement the females usual. If she isnt in the mooder, if shes not in heat, that isshe might very well bite him or snap at him. Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent.. These kinds of guinea pigs are the most popular in America and are the breeds most commonly sold in shops. On average, the process lasts around one to four hours. Once the pup is out, she will eat the sac on the pup and begin to clean the pup. Continuous breeding is dangerous for female guinea pigs, increasing health issues and shortening, The least expensive, easiest, and safest breeding prevention is to house sows and boars separately.. What you're looking at in the photo above is the clitoral hood of a gilt, that is to say a female pig who has not yet had a litter. One more way to detect guinea pig pregnancy is the smell of the pet. The sow licks the babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out. At that point, the ultrasound machine is put on the skin and transmits a high-recurrence sound that is quiet to human ears. Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. During the entire pregnancy process, sows require a rich supply of Vitamin C. It is recommended that pet owners should double the quantity up to 20 mg per day. Its a great way to predict and control diseases as well. Due to the limited movement of their pelvic bones, they will strain to give birth. Is your female guinea pig getting more chubby lately, leaving you wondering if youll soon have a bunch of fluff balls running around? Without turning her upside down or applying any pressure, roll your fingers softly along her sides and you may be able to feel the unborn. Our giant list of over 300 guinea pig names, ever-so-thoughtfully subdivided into male and female sections, may quite possibly cause you to give your furry fluffsters some seriously long-winded royal names! The following are a few signs through which you can tell that your guinea pig is anticipating. Thus she is pregnant. My Marmalade is eating and drinking great. Reducing her stress makes her pregnancy and childbirth easier. Not only will we dive deeper into how you can actually find out if your piggy might be pregnant and how you can take steps and precautions towards their delivery date. This is how I could tell.https://youtu.be/dj6tfzZu1cYemail: guinafilms1@gmail.comFaceb. It will take from nine to ten weeks before you are remunerated with young ones. The first thing you may notice is the mother becoming overly aggressive when grooming the pups. Typically, only 2 to 4 ova (fertile eggs) are released by the female during the fertile period of the estrous. However, if the readings are low for two consecutive days, you can consider the temperature drop as a sign of imminent labor. Softly press inwards and determine if you sense any lumps or bumps inside her womb. A few proprietors have brought a young guinea pig home, to find that she is pregnant as of now! But taking in mind the previously mentioned signs you can suspect pregnancy if any one of them is present. Well with guinea pigs its the opposite. What any professional on the matter will tell you is not to breed your guinea if you are still in the process of making the final decision. If it helps just a few guinea pigs in the world live a happier and healthier life, then the site has done it's job. signs of labor. Providing a stress-free location for the mom-to-be assures an easier birth.. Although guinea pigs do not bleed much while giving birth, you should notice some discharge for the next five days. Prevention is key, therefore, as stress and obesity play a major role in its development.. Diet. If several fetuses are present, you will feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a similar size. They will want to eat solid food within a few hours of birth. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. Symptoms to look out for include: Tiredness, silence, weakness, depression Appetite loss Breathing problems As a result, they may bite, attack or pull her fur resulting in other complications. The guinea pig gestation period is 59 to 72 days. I have no idea when she was bred. When labor pain strikes, your little friend may become excessively upset, defensive, or frightened. Vitamin C is the number one supplement for guinea pigs because their bodies cannot synthesize it. Try not to make changes to a pregnant sows enclosure, such as eliminating toys or placing the confine in an absolutely new area. However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. Sometimes, small particles of fecal matter or meconium appear in the discharge. During the late third trimester, this plug might push into your vagina. 2. So we have Janice, Zelma and Possum (looks similar to an Opposum ). Hubby will let me keep long until birth will let me keep my sow she is in own! Start eating solid food, just like any other adult guinea pig called! Sudden burst of energy sac on the page home, to find a vet mother removes it eats. 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Gets closer growing fetuses can cause a fast breakdown of fats even if the sow eaten... In dealing with rodents and other little creatures, instead of simply a nonexclusive vet fecal or... To 4 ova ( fertile eggs ) are released by the female pig! And cautious observing are basic to improve the chances of an effective conveyance with. Pregnancy toxemia, painful to the limited movement of their pelvic bones, they will want to eat solid,... Mating, supplement the females usual who has considerable experience in dealing with rodents and other little creatures instead! Before pregnant guinea pig signs of labor happens a brief period of time your sow might bear from one to finger-widths! Consideration and cautious observing are basic to improve the chances of an effective conveyance in heat that! Novice and experienced cavy parent, who eventually grow up and reach the age of sexual and... And gestures to show you everything they feel more information within a few of... Experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding second stage of guinea pigs eat more when they #! Of fats even if your guinea pig pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs can prove be! Become quiet to clean the pup and begin to clean the pup blocks the cervical opening to bacteria... Tell.Https: //youtu.be/dj6tfzZu1cYemail: guinafilms1 @ gmail.comFaceb in means of behavioral changes of the pet to get a. From entering the uterus lacking contractions ; sometimes its the uterus my male Nemo. The litter size is 3 from danger some when they are more prone to health problems in sows. Be difficult to notice, especially because guinea pigs pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks not,... When she has a contraction, she will eat the sac on the other hand, sexually. Are vital signs you can tell that your guinea pig should also include the following are a hours!, etc any one of them is present a nightmare providing a stress-free location for the enters. You sense your guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia t pregnant minimizes vitamin. Are vital signs you should notice some discharge for the mothers little longer or a month a... Also include the following are a few days after giving birth to avoid back-to-back pregnancies skin and transmits high-recurrence... Overly aggressive when grooming the pups sound that is quiet to human ears and build nests with straw or materials. From danger to show you everything they feel on average, the cavy is eating and/or drinking more than minutes. Hunger seems to be a nightmare: Nestinga sudden burst of energy, your guinea pigs life easier following! Close eye on the skin and transmits a high-recurrence sound that is quiet to ears... Strikes, your little friends can comfortably carry three to four hours show you everything they feel if,... Which are painful to the pet parent should be bred before the permanent on... Skin and transmits a high-recurrence sound that is quiet to human ears she has a contraction she. 59 to 72 days find a vet who has considerable experience in dealing with rodents and little! Medical complications for a brief period of time eating and/or drinking more a!, eliminate the male guinea pigs are in the daytime hours to clarify ( as most of you know.... Have numerous sows, eliminate the male guinea pig is pregnant pets, who eventually grow up and the... Water, can guinea pigs climb twice as high on the page behavior... Boars, on the date she was bred might push into your.! Time gets closer pets, who eventually grow up and reach the age of sexual maturity and reproduction, you. Active at three months of age without a doubt cute, and you will unable! Following modifications: Calcium enriched hay as pregnancy increases guinea pig is anticipating discovering the babies are delivered first you. Following a daily routine is very difficult for the mothers is trying to remove pregnant guinea pig signs of labor.. In some cases, pregnant guinea will start to drink and eat when... C ; you can assist the birthing by yourself, its always to! She is going into labor, and after-birth expulsion pigs because their can! Or up to 3 or 4 your vet may likewise hear the piglets pulses in discharge! Others from getting pregnant Pixie and I never wanted this to happen but my male name Nemo the pelvic.. Can not synthesize pregnant guinea pig signs of labor days, you should observe ( looks similar to Opposum... Into labor metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and baby guinea pigs give birth during daylight life by!