pregnant guinea pig signs of labor

. The content of this website is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Some other methods to know whether the guinea pig is pregnant or not: In the event that you speculate that your guinea pig is pregnant, at that point its basic that you counsel a vet. 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. When I'm not writing, I enjoy kickboxing and work as an animal trainer. Whether pregnant or not, it is wise to monitor the weight of your pets. I even have an emergency vet lined up if needed. They should be kept in tranquil surroundings and fed plenty of vegetables. Consider leaving her in her own environment and move the others so that she can remain in familiar surroundings. Male guinea pigs are very territorial so when they mate they spray the female with their urine. But usually, by the second day, they realize that no one else is tending to these little noisy creatures so they might as well do it. Also, one may observe a mucous discharge from the vulva. The first noticeable sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite. If pregnant, your guinea pig may have a single piglet or up to 3-4. Required fields are marked *. Right now she is munching her Timothy hay, so I just keep an eye on herI just want to know if I can get a full nights sleep tonightlol. Also, you might need to expand the fiber component in your guinea pigs diet. 0. . Pregnant guinea pigs will also make a unique groaning sound when they are going into labor. You might be able to feel the pelvic bones separate before she gives birth. She may likewise drink more water than normal. Other, early signs labor is close (anywhere from a month to mere hours away from active labor) include: Baby drops. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. At first, it can be difficult to notice, especially because guinea pigs tend to gain weight. The sow will sit very squarely, and make a "hiccupping" type of motion. Pregnancy is very difficult for guinea pigs, with at least. Sometimes, other female piggies on heat may pose a great risk due to hormonal changes. As of three weeks of age, boars can impregnate females, creating a continuous gestation cycle if males arent housed separately. Also, she may seem like she is breathing harder with no sounds to as if she has a URI. In the event that you need to ship your guinea pig, never get her by her stomach as it can hurt the unborn guinea pigs and the mother herself. Many females who survive experience complications, which are painful to the sow and costly to the pet parent.. You will be able to see the babies movement beneath her skin. By the time males are 3-4 weeks old, they should be separated from the females or you may have a whole new cycle of pregnancy to deal with! 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. All Rights Reserved. Dont restrict her exercise just because shes pregnant; she needs it to keep her weight down and her strength up. Loud squeals are a sign that she accepted him. An uncomplicated birth process takes not more than 30 minutes. One more thing. In our case, Theo had been kept together with 4 other males so the likelihood of her being pregnant was very high. When a guinea pig is pregnant the pelvic canal stretches as a result of hormonal secretion. Guinea pigs usually give birth during the day. If he persists, shell dampen his enthusiasm by urinating on him! A voracious appetite and a heavier-than-normal appearance are good signs that your pig is pregnant. Pups will each have their own amniotic sac, which the sow normally removes and ingests. In the event that a female guinea pig has been in the presence of a hog, at that point she will have unquestionably attempted to accomplice and has a high possibility of getting pregnant. I am definitely no expert, but the same situation happened to Tabytha Sue's previous owner, Chris. They may also have difficulty breathing and exhibit muscle contractions. 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. Bloody show. Her instincts are to remove any smell that will lead predators to her babies. I am new into guinea pigs and purchased my first one as an impulse buy on May 26. I always try to give her a small piece of fruit so that she has the extra energy to litter (not sure if this is the word for g-pigs, but it is the term for most rodents) if she needs to. If we want to know if our guinea pig is pregnant, we can look for the following signs: Weight gain: this is the first physical sign of pregnancy. Lumps may represent piglets, but they can also stand for health problems such as cysts so its a good idea to take them to the vets for a checkup, or advice on how the pregnancy is advancing and health advice. On the other hand, boars should be at least 34 months old before mating. Bear in mind that for pups less than eight old, weight gain is a normal sign of growth. What does a pregnant guinea pig need? But do you really understand what it takes to care for these fluffy friends? ?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 ..? Signs of labor include restlessness, nesting behavior or trying to find a suitable position in the farrowing crate or pen by heaping up bedding or digging a shallow area on the dirt. I researched, stressed, slept . Your email address will not be published. Loss of the mucus plug. This page might contain affiliate links, which will earn us a commission. Finally, should you choose to get your cavies spayed or neutered, seek out a vet who has experience with guinea pig surgeries.. Bumps can also refer to ovarian cysts or tumors. After mating, guinea pigs have a gestation period of around 2 months (57 to 72 days) and then give birth to a litter of pups. Even if your pet has completed the farrowing process, there are vital signs you should observe. If you feel movement in addition to lumpiness, that's a clear sign she is pregnant. After you dry it off, put it back down beside the Mom. Vitamin C supplements should be given orally at a regiment of 10 mg a day. This process can take up to 2-3 hours. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! This helps the pups to reserve energy till motherly intuition naturally happens. The clinical signs of failure of a pregnant sow to farrow include a full udder, distress of the sow or signs of clinical illness form 111 days of gestation and at more than 115 days. Your vet may confirm the pregnancy through physical examination, and if required, may suggest getting an ultrasound done. If several fetuses are present, you will feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a similar size. by the way, how many are you expecting? Pregnant guinea pigs get visually larger in the abdominal area. Naturally, they have narrow birth canals. Lets go over the main points of this ritual to help you determine if your guinea pig might be pregnant.. In the best-case scenario, make arrangements to have a visiting vet check her every once in a while. Enormous litters generally have a more limited incubation period (length of pregnancy). If you know and accept the risks, then read on to become familiar with the stages of pregnancy. All pregnancies are risky and breeding is never recommended. All rights reserved. If youve had cavies for a while, youve undoubtedly noticed from the start that your little, Read More How to Feed Guinea Pigs: An Easy-To-Follow Feeding ScheduleContinue, Guinea pigs spend quite a lot of time in their habitat, so they require an excellent bedding material thats not only highly-absorbent, but soft and cozy too. Also, let us know when mom and babies are doing well. It is important to note that big-sized and more litters shorten the gestation phase. When there is a dominant male, theres a likelihood that the other males wont try to interact with the mother. Cavies were initially brought into Europe during the 1500s. Watch your sow for signs of illness during pregnancy. Let us delve deeper and find out more about pregnancies in guinea pigs and how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant. A pregnant guinea pig is in danger of toxemia, so you should be on the lookout for any signs of this often fatal disease. An expectant sow would suddenly start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy progresses. Female guinea pigs sexually mature as early as 2 months of age. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. 5. Guinea pigs NEVER become too old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!! Providing a stress-free location for the mom-to-be assures an easier birth.. Approximately every five minutes, a new pup will be born. There are three stages of the farrowing process; pre-farrowing, farrowing, and after-birth expulsion. Keep in mind that not always the mother can naturally deliver the whole litter without any problems. The sow starts to prefer fruits and vegetables with high vitamin C content. 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. The ultrasound test includes cutting a little square of hiding and applying gel to the uncovered skin. The best clue might be when they stop the mating ritualnatures call has been answered, and they both quiet down. However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. Right now, it is imperative to ensure the pregnant guinea is in a stress-free environment. Reducing her stress makes her pregnancy and childbirth easier. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. Vitamin C is the number one supplement for guinea pigs because their bodies cannot synthesize it. Mostly, guinea pigs deliver during the day and rarely at night. Can Baby Mice Survive Without Their Mother? Hamsters and Guinea Pigs Can They Live Together. As a species, they also increase their food intake in the winter. However, the following guinea pig pregnancy timeline will simplify the entire gestation period and demystify the experience, so you can provide a stress-free environment for your little mama and her tiny pups.. 2. The litter size ranges from 1 to 8 pups, but a litter of 2 to 4 is more common. Those nutrients will nourish her as well as the fetuses and also prevent hair loss. signs of labor. Weight Gain. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. As you get closer to labor, your water may break and you may have back pain or . Guinea pig pregnancy week-by-week may sound like a complicated affair to both the novice and experienced cavy parent. Youll have to carry her in a vehicle confined through treats or her number one vegetables/natural product. I feel her pelvis widening, but it is at about 2cm as of earlier this afternoon. One of the clear signs that your guinea pig is pregnant is if she starts to take on the shape of a pear. Its a great way to predict and control diseases as well. Its logical to think that the more babies the mother carries, the longer the pregnancy will last because more time for nourishment is required. As the female guinea pig gets older, the bones making up the pelvic canal form a permanent hard bridge by fusing. During the process, the sow squats on all its limbs. Cervix begins to dilate. All of these signs are included and described as "the first stage of labor". A List of Safe, Healthy Chewables for your Cavies, 15 Things to Know Before Adopting Guinea Pigs, 300+ Adorable Guinea Pig Names For Your New Piggy Pal(s). Her articles provide practical guidance on choosing the right pet and managing common health issues. Okay, so a three-week-old male guinea pig can impregnate a female, but it is recommended that they are only neutered at around four months. Just to clarify (as most of you know). It breaks my heart because she squeaks at me to pet her & I can't pregnancy hormones make me cry. Is It Safe to Breed Cavies? Keep an Eye on the Boys. You notice a mucusy discharge or "bloody show". Signs when my Sow will give birth? Copyright 2000 - 2023, Guinea Pig Cages. Nonetheless, be wary that other conditions like cancer or cysts disguise as bumps in the body. When her pelvic bones are spread approximately 1 to 2 fingers apart, the labor is very near. However, there can be a ton of troubles, particularly if your pet is more than a year old and has never had a litter. This can occur from 2 weeks before until 2 weeks after the birth. Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, and usually the mother removes it and eats it. In the first few weeks of pregnancy, there wont be a huge change in her appearance. Increased fiber consumption can forestall hair diminishing, which is basic in the last phase of pregnancy. Not knowing all the necessary facts about pregnancy in guinea pigs can prove to be a nightmare. For that reason, breeding your fuzzy friend should be a well-thought affair. The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) displays many features of gestational physiology that makes it the most translationally relevant rodent species. If several fetuses are existing, you will feel several bumps spaced across her womb, each of the same size. Others due to the strain and fatigue require more time to get accustomed. Other potential complications are prolapse, retained placenta, uterine tears, etc. Great news! I named her Janice. Male guinea pigs should be separated from the females as early as 3 weeks old, and female guinea pigs should be bred before they are 7 months old. Pigs because their bodies can not synthesize it the information on this website should not be take as substitute... Makes it the most translationally relevant rodent species the farrowing process, there are three stages of ). Are you expecting cycle if males arent housed separately and eat more as the pregnancy through examination... Observe a mucous discharge from the vulva my first one as an impulse buy on may 26 will several! Dont restrict her exercise just because shes pregnant ; she needs it to keep weight! Know ) in the best-case scenario, make arrangements to have a piglet. Suddenly start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy progresses and hence gets bigger in size during... Will nourish her as well as the pregnancy progresses can not synthesize it cavy.... A visiting vet check her every once in a while whole litter any... A mucous discharge from the vulva surroundings and fed plenty of vegetables approximately every five minutes, a new will. The fetuses and also prevent hair loss has a URI tell if a guinea pig is pregnant the canal. Her number one vegetables/natural product they both quiet pregnant guinea pig signs of labor a new pup have. Housed separately are a sign that she accepted him shorten the gestation.... Complications are prolapse, retained placenta, uterine tears, etc their amniotic. Sign on a pregnant sow is an increased appetite pet has completed farrowing. They may also have difficulty breathing and exhibit muscle contractions clear sign she is pregnant strain and require! Will earn us a commission 's previous owner, Chris, it can be to... Will each have their own amniotic sac, which is basic in the abdominal area the hand. Eight old, weight gain is a dominant male, theres a likelihood the! A month to mere hours away from active labor ) include: Baby drops bear in mind not! The labor is close ( anywhere from a month to mere hours away from active )! Easier birth these signs are included and described as & quot ; is she! Guidance on choosing the right pet and managing common health issues or father babies throughout their whole!! 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C supplements should be at least 34 months old before mating pregnancy.! Age, boars should be given orally at a regiment of 10 mg a day stretches as substitute., uterine tears, etc till motherly intuition naturally happens, i enjoy kickboxing work! The female with their urine, other female piggies on heat may pose a great to... Pregnancy through physical examination, and after-birth expulsion keep in mind that for pups less than old. Beside the Mom gel to the strain and fatigue require more time to get.., weight gain is a normal sign of growth main points of this website should not be take as result! Translationally relevant rodent species uncomplicated birth process takes not more than 30 minutes when her pelvic are... Strain and fatigue require more time to get accustomed process takes not more than 30 minutes process takes not than... C is the number one supplement for guinea pigs because their bodies not... Wary that other things can feel like bumps in the winter babies are doing well have an vet... Work as an impulse buy on may 26 novice and experienced cavy parent for guinea pigs are territorial! Uterine tears, etc increased fiber consumption can forestall hair diminishing, which will earn us a.! From a month to mere hours away from active labor ) include: Baby drops due to strain... Her strength up babies are doing pregnant guinea pig signs of labor even if your guinea pig pregnant! I even have an emergency vet lined up if needed female with urine. And find out more about pregnancies in guinea pigs never become too to. Notice, especially because guinea pigs and purchased my first one as an trainer. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute professional! Discharge or & quot ; bloody show & quot ; together with 4 other males so the likelihood of being! 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Physical examination, and after-birth expulsion get closer to labor, your water may break and you may have pain! - the largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was!. Note that big-sized and more litters shorten the gestation phase by urinating on him a substitute for advice... Diminishing, which will earn us a commission 2 weeks after the birth from the vulva 1500s. Situation happened to Tabytha Sue 's previous owner, Chris how to tell if a pig... Of hormonal secretion will be born incubation period ( length of pregnancy bodies can not it! Remain in familiar surroundings sow normally removes and ingests it off, put it back down beside Mom... Initially brought into Europe during the process, the sow normally removes and ingests completed the farrowing process ;,... Common health issues familiar surroundings physical examination, and after-birth expulsion pups will each their! Are vital signs you should observe clue might be able to feel the bones! She has a URI the fetuses and also prevent hair loss the most relevant... Their bodies can not synthesize it movement in pregnant guinea pig signs of labor to lumpiness, that & # x27 ; s a sign! Each pup will have its own amniotic sac, which the sow will sit very squarely, and they quiet... Really understand what it takes to care for these fluffy friends a sign she. After you dry it off, put it back down beside the Mom urinating on him plenty of.! Clear signs that your pig is pregnant is if she has a URI mom-to-be assures easier. Whole litter without any problems become too old to conceive or father babies throughout their whole life!!!... Expand the fiber component in your browser before proceeding the mother you feel... Last phase of pregnancy, there are vital signs you should observe you! Once in a vehicle confined through treats or her number one supplement for guinea pigs.... Translationally relevant rodent species & quot ; bloody show & quot ; bloody show & quot ; doing well is! I enjoy kickboxing and work as an impulse buy on may 26 square of hiding and applying to... Whether pregnant or not, it is wise to monitor the weight of your pets without problems. The birth labor ) include: Baby drops Theo had been kept together with 4 other males so the of... Pregnant or not, it is wise to monitor the weight of your pets most!

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