Keep in mind that your guinea pig can give birth to up to 14 pups and thats probably more than you can handle! Her body will be positioned in a down-squat on all four legs. 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. 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. There is no need to remove other sows, they may even help with the pups. Depression Incoming! The large and growing fetuses can cause a fast breakdown of fats even if the sow hasnt eaten for a brief period of time. Some may happen sooner, later, or not at all. This article received 14 testimonials and 88% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article made the information I, "This helped a lot. Guinea pigs should be split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks old. A first-timer will not gain as much weight, but generally will weigh 35 ounces or more by the time she gives birth. For young guinea pigs, this may include supplementing her diet with Critical Care of a similar product. So, while neutering means he cannot produce more sperm, he could still theoretically sire offspring for a short time after castration. when they are this wide you will know she will give birth in the next 48 hours. During pregnancy, you will need to provide your guinea pig with a clean cage or hutch. Do not intervene or touch the pups unless you need to. Adult Guinea Pig Embryos from the guinea pigor guinea-pig(Cavia porcellus) have been used in various tetragenic studies, including the effects of elevated body temperature on embryonic development. . Support wikiHow by 25% in pregnancies can end in death for either the mum or the babies and this is why that breeding guinea pigs for a hobby is not encouraged. If you do decide to breed them, ensure your sow is young enough (but not too young) so there are less chances of complications. 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. Much like other Rodentia and those of the Lagomorpha species, guinea pigs have pearly whites that will grow without end in sight something that can be a serious health problem, Read More What Can Guinea Pigs Chew On? Discovered how versatile a. Though it may sound hard to believe, the fact is, its true! To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! In time, it will be a bit harder for them to move, but this is of little or no significance. Without turning her upside down or applying any pressure, run your hands lightly along her sides and you may be able to feel the babies. Do not cut pellets to reduce the chance of larger pups or attempt to put a pregnant overweight sow on a diet. Sows who are too old are at a greater risk of the pelvis not being 'elastic' enough to expand during the birthing process. Sows older than 2 years that werent bred before are most at risk. Boys will try and mate with their mum at . Most vets recommend that whenever your female guinea pig is gaining weight to bring her for a pregnancy check-up. Sometimes even surgery must be performed to save the mothers life. However, even without the mothers milk baby guinea pigs can survive feeding only on solid food. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. The average gestation period is 65 days. During pregnancy, you will notice your guinea pig will be more reluctant to interact with you, so avoid too much petting or lifting. Place any cavies that appear to annoy her in a different cage. Guinea pigs exhibit an enlarged abdomen during the late stages of pregnancy. Doing so can cause pups to grow too big, which the sow may struggle to birth. Thats why the best age for a guinea pig to get pregnant is between 4 and 7 months of age. He is an exotic vet. However, most guinea pigs have a pregnancy that lasts from 59 to 72 days. A serious condition that can occur during the last stage of guinea pig pregnancy is pregnancy toxemia. Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity early. We encourage people to be informed and ask questions before they start breeding. Only hold her if necessary. Wash out the water bottle with a gentle dish soap every few days. Guinea pig babies are born looking like mini versions of their mama. A female guinea pig can fall pregnant immediately after giving birth. Once in labour, the sow will cry out, and it takes about 5 minutes for each pup to emerge. Guinea Pig Pregnancy Britany Sanchez 153 subscribers 150K views 10 years ago This video is about the week by week progress of your Guinea Pig's pregnancy, along with links to more. A local breeder may also be willing to help. At this time you will be even able to distinguish the body parts of the moving babies by gently touching the belly. We took her to vet for check up.. The placenta contains hormones which can trigger contractions. The exercises should continue normally because the guinea pig needs to regulate her weight and keep her strength up. Place the cage away from direct sunlight and from places where there are loud noises present. Guinea Pig Eye Infection What You Should Do? Its also cheaper in the long run than disposable bedding, eco-friendly, and doesnt contain dust that, Read More Fleece Bedding for Guinea Pigs: Pros and Cons & How to Use ItContinue, A true favorite among small pets, guinea pigs are no doubt unique, sweet little creatures. Vitamin C is the number one supplement for guinea pigs because their bodies cannot synthesize it. Be very careful if you need to hold or handle a pregnant guinea pig. Cavies, as notorious early developers, are sexually mature at a very young age. This article has been viewed 326,562 times. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. The canal is fully fused by the 7-8thmonth of age both in unbred female and male guinea pigs. In the middle and later stages of gestation, a pregnant sow will display an enlarged abdomen. In the first few weeks after giving birth to her litter, the female guinea pig will be at risk for post natal complications. In most cases, the small forms are a sign of guinea pig pregnancy. Guinea pig diarrhea is a fairly common condition that most guinea pig owners and exotic pet veterinarians encounter., Everybody who knows a cat or dog owner knows that they have to deal with shots for their, When your guinea pig is sneezing a lot you might wonder whether or not your little friend is, You were planning on getting a pet guinea pig, but you are not sure whether you should get, Every guinea pig owner will experience the moment in life where he or she needs to say the, Eye infections in guinea pigs are more common than you might think and can be a result of. The largest noted litter numbered 14 guinea pigs. Although the guinea pig gestation period varies, the guinea pig gestation period typically lasts between 59-72 days. However, this would put a huge amount of strain on her body and her mental stamina. The sow licks the babies and eats the amniotic sack when once they are out. Setting up a guinea pig cage is not so easy. 2 Observe her eating habits. As a general rule, guinea pigs do not respond well to anaesthetic so if it is possible, separating the sexes is a safer option. Remember guinea pigs are social animals and should be kept in groups, so if you own both a boar and a sow make sure to provide company of the same sex for both of them. It is entirely possible for a male pup to impregnate its mother or sisters. Pet stores often keep both sexes together, resulting in many people being sold sows which are already pregnant. Take a few moments to inform yourself of potential pregnancy problems and why breeding your guinea pigs is not a good idea: For the sake of your guinea pigs, do think twice before breeding them. Postnatally guinea pigs can become sexually mature as early as four weeks. Is it OK to leave the non-pregnant girl with the pups? Potential Pregnancy Problems. Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity very early, around 2-4 months of age. 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