The first week of a guinea pig's . Guinea Pig Gestation Period: How Long Is Guinea Pig Pregnancy? At around 4 weeks into a guinea pig's pregnancy the sow's abdomen and lower sides will become more firm than usual. Litter size ranges, with the average being 2-4 pups in rare cases as many as 12-14. Pregnant guinea pigs should be kept inside. If there is not an out-of-hours vet in your area, discuss this with your vet to come up with a plan. Especially if any of them display aggressive tendencies. There is no need to remove other sows, they may even help with the pups. This article received 14 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. 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. She may, if he persists, even urinate on him. Enjoy! As in humans, this happens when pups grow and take up more space. During this time, it is normal for females to double their weight. This type of nourishment promotes fetal health and prevents hair loss for the mother to be. Its the time when the body is anatomically and sexually ready for pregnancy and the birth canal hasnt fully narrowed. Litter size ranges, with the average being 2-4 pups - in rare cases as many as 12-14. The male on, the other hand, will put on his manly display but will still approach the saw with a lowered head. Guinea Pig Death Process Dead or in Shock? If the process isnt over in 30-40 minutes or there is an abnormally large interval between delivered pups one may suspect a problem. I have been given an 8 week old guinea pig that is pregnant, and her half-sister. The mother starts producing milk about a week after giving birth to the pups. In the case of any anomalies or worry, you should contact the vet. Though it may sound hard to believe, the fact is, its true! Our fuzzy pets have a relatively long lifespan compared to other small pets, and they stay our loyal companions through a significant part of our lives. She may carry several pups, between one and six, and they're carried in the womb for 58 - 73 days. Length of pregnancy for 1 litter can be 70 days while it reduces to 67 days for a litter of 6. The sow starts to prefer fruits and vegetables with high vitamin C content. Pregnancy toxaemia in well kept guinea pigs is very rare; it is most common in breeder sows kept mainly on low grade pellets and with too little/low grade and too little/low grade hay and is more commonly seen in hot weather. Publisher: Pergamon This is a common occurrence; roughly 1 in 5 guinea pigs will die as a direct result of pregnancy or birth. Once the pelvic bones are about two fingers apart, the time of birth is imminent. The temperature outside or in a garage/shed usually becomes too cold at night for a pregnant guinea pig. To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! What Does a Baby Guinea Pig Look Like? Discovered how versatile a. I for one was never able to see Emma's babies move from the outside. They are able to see, hear and move around once they are born. If it declines every day or continues to change after 5 days, consult the vet. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. But do you really understand what it takes to care for these fluffy friends? However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. Guinea pigs have naturally bald patches on two areas of the body that owners may not be aware of and, as a result, become worried about: an area of 1cm-1.5cm behind the ears; and The sow licks the babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out. A few proprietors have brought a young guinea pig home, to find that she is pregnant as of now! Note that she may chew the cardboard, so have extra boxes or use a wicker or thick-plastic box. These pups may die within a few days of birth, or may live for several years. This article made the information I, "This helped a lot. Near the end restrain yourself from picking the animal up. Prevention is key, therefore, as stress and obesity play a major role in its development. Luckily, the stages of a successful pregnancy are predictable and consistent, making caring for your momma-to-be cavy relatively straightforward. Pups will each have their own amniotic sac, which the sow normally removes and ingests. As the female guinea pig gets older, the bones making up the pelvic canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing. Males take a little longer and are typically sexually mature by 8 to 9 weeks of age. Instead, coax her onto a towel or into a box. The vet will assess the guinea pigs condition. This is the most exciting period! 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. Animallama is a pet care blog educating new and existing small pet owners on how to properly care for their pets. Whether the gift is for a friend or a family member, an adult or a kid, or even for, Read More 16 Gifts for Guinea Pig Lovers & OwnersContinue, Fleece bedding for guinea pigs is popular amongst piggy parents, whether they want a nice-looking cage or the comfiest home for their fur babies. Potential Pregnancy Problems. Duration of guinea pig pregnancy depends on the number of pups: the larger the litter the shorter the pregnancy. Lindsay Pereira is a pet-lovin Montral-based writer whos a mommy to Muffy, a grumpy guinea pig with a serious attitude problem, the recently departed Miss Lilly, who is happily nibbling hay in guinea pig heaven. As a species, they also increase their food intake in the winter. How much depends on the size of the litter, but her weight should never begin fall. Thats why the best age for a guinea pig to get pregnant is between 4 and 7 months of age. Lastly, it takes about 2-4 weeks to wean guinea pups. Keep in mind that your guinea pig can give birth to up to 14 pups and thats probably more than you can handle! Hence, when housed together, a guinea pig pregnancy can occur very early and very often. During the first month or so, there arent a lot of physical signs to indicate your sow is a mom-to-be. Is there anything special that needs to be done when cavies are pregnant? Do not rely on foods that list added Vitamin C as an ingredient. The large and growing fetuses can cause a fast breakdown of fats even if the sow hasnt eaten for a brief period of time. Guinea pups, once born, will be completely furry. Fleece bedding comes in many styles, looks great, and is comfortable on guinea pigs feet. Pregnant guinea pigs arent accustomed to building nests, yet any type of clean soft bedding will do just fine. Establish a daily routine with set times and stick to it, to provide consistency. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. Examine the shape of the cavy's genital opening. A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. I know there are so many groups out there that don't and its okay. Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day rather than overnight. There are numerous medical reasons why giving birth can go wrong. Bloody uterine discharge and straining longer than 30 minutes requires a medical examination. Is your sow pregnant? To prevent high stress levels, which can lead to disease, keep your guinea pig away from direct sunlight. they were both female and have been living together. Pre-mature birth will need to be followed by a period of artificial incubation. Adding a soft, fleece blanket to her sleeping area. Covering the sleep section of the cage with a towel so she feels cozy and safe. Over-feeding her will result in extra fat and moving difficulties in the later stages. How can I tell? 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). The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. When a guinea pig is pregnant the pelvic canal stretches as a result of hormonal secretion. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 . Whilst a pup becoming stuck in the birth canal or born breech is common, never intervene yourself. Get an experienced vet to check the sex of all your other guinea pigs. A female cavy uses a lot of her energy during this time, and thus requires a healthy, balanced diet that is appropriate for her during gestation. At this stage, the sow will appear quite swollen in the midsection. 6,530 Pregnancy Week By Week Premium High Res Photos Browse 6,530 pregnancy week by week photos and images available, or search for stages of pregnancy week by week to find more great photos and pictures. The canal is fully fused by the 7-8thmonth of age both in unbred female and male guinea pigs. In the presence of a male, the female changes her back (spine) which she arches downwards. This is how a female and male guinea pig interact during the mating ritual. 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. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. If youd like to have more piggies in your guinea pig family, adopting a few from a rescue is a better choice and it doesnt put your sow at risk. In most cases, the small forms are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy. Place it in a sheltered part of the hutch, away from draughts. . When its utterly necessary make sure she has the support of her hips. Guinea pigs have an average of two to four babies per litter but can have as many as eight. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. Flaunt your baby bump in style in 'belfies' or bump selfies. But taking in mind the previously mentioned signs you can suspect pregnancy if any one of them is present. ). Guinea Pig Years to Human Years: How Old is Your Cavy in Human Years? Publisher: Pergamon. As the pregnancy develops, carefully check the guinea pig twice a week for signs of illness, like crusty eyes or a patchy coat. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. Doing so can lead to pregnancy. A cesarian section surgery will likely be necessary. During pregnancy, you will need to provide your guinea pig with a clean cage or hutch. So, while neutering means he cannot produce more sperm, he could still theoretically sire offspring for a short time after castration. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. The onset is generally sudden and progress rather quicker than you are reporting. The duration of pregnancy is inversely proportional to the litter size. 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 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. [1] . ", Scary after reading all this. He is an exotic vet. A sow can birth up to 5 litters per year, though miscarriages and stillbirths are common. Support wikiHow by Right now, it is imperative to ensure the pregnant guinea is in a stress-free environment. 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