Male guinea pigs will continue to mount pregnant sows, which can cause stress or pain to your pregnant sow late in the pregnancy (after the 50-day mark). if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-4','ezslot_12',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-4-0');For how long is a guinea pig pregnant? But anywhere in the range of 59 days to 72 days is regarded as normal. So it is well over 3 months since the operation. Yeah, sounds weird, but it actually works with several other animals too. Which Can Include: Being vigilant about their activities is vital to their well-being. But it is quite the opposite. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Guinea pigs have a much shorter timeline of pregnancy than humans. However, do not assume that your guinea pig is pregnant based on just how much she is eating or drinking. ", know if the sow is having a baby or babies. Avoid putting any pressure on her body. Maybe in the woods, they can take care of themselves. A pregnant sow will begin to drink and eat more as the pregnancy advances. Of course, as you probably already know, a break between two consecutive estrus cycles can be caused only by a pregnancy. Female guinea pigs begin a new estrous cycle shortly after giving birth. They will have been eating solids from a few days old so will cope without their mothers milk at this age. The placenta contains hormones which can trigger contractions. The legacy of this great resource continues as the Merck Veterinary Manual in the US and Canada and the MSD Vet Manual outside of North America. So, it should not come as a surprise if female and male pups are kept in one enclosure. You may think that personal hygiene of your guinea pig is important during pregnancy. For older guinea pigs, this may include her carrying out her pregnancy and birth housed at the vets, as she is more likely to need intervention. Rodent and rabbit medicine. Reduce exposure to loud noises or bright lights. Of course, all these are high school zoology concepts. They should be kept at the same comfortable temperature as the adults. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. An unneutered male guinea pig! So how long are guinea pigs pregnant? She may carry several pups, between one and six, and they're carried in the womb for 58 73 days. The minute you are sure your guinea pig is pregnant, make sure you get it to your vets attention. If several fetuses are present, you will feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a similar size. The ultrasound exam involves involves clipping a small square of fur and applying gel to the exposed skin. The mother has a single pair of mammary glands from which the newborns will nurse until about 3 weeks of age. Another sign is a hike in food intake. 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. Guinea pig's pregnancy: final stage. The mothers weight will vary for a few days whilst she re-adjusts but should settle within five days. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. A female may accidentally injure the babies by squashing them and babies are prone to escaping cages, so check up on them regularly. The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. Clean the water bottle weekly to prevent the build-up of algae and bacteria. Be aware that young guinea pigs will begin to eat more as they grow anyway. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. It could be a disease causing the accumulation of excess metabolic products.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Either way, one thing is pretty clear: You have to take your guinea pig to the vet. Do not keep pregnant guinea pigs in multi-level cages/hutches as their balance will be impaired by pregnancy, and in the later stages of pregnancy they may not be able to get up to the higher tiers. Normally, it wouldnt. You can crop their hair to maintain hygiene, even if you cannot cut it perfectly. If your sow is carrying more pups rather than less, her length of pregnancy will more likely be closer to 60 days than 70. Neutering a male is generally easier than spaying a female. So when they mate with a female, they mark the female with their urine!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_16',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-2-0'); Since every individual has a separate scent profile, other males would not approach the urinated female! Instead, coax her onto a towel or into a box. Since they no longer eat just for them, but also for the baby piggies inside, they eat more than the usual amount. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Guinea pigs should be split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks old. If you let your guard down after one litter being born, without watching the females interaction with un-neutered males, the mother who just delivered a litter could get knocked up once again! But consult with your vet first, just to be on the safer side. But still, to be on the safer side, having boundaries to the free space she runs is advised. Enjoy! Establish a daily routine with set times and stick to it, to provide consistency. While there are many hereditary diseases that you should foresee, there are several other basic tests too. If the food has been stored for a while at the retail outlet, the chances are the vitamin C content is already negligible by the time you open the bag. But pregnancy is far from straightforward for guinea pigs. 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. As a general rule, guinea pigs do not respond well to anaesthetic so if it is possible, separating the sexes is a safer option. The intercourse with an unneutered male guinea pig causes pregnancy in a female obviously. A few weeks later I noticed she was getting bigger, I was curious to see if she was pregnant. What are the Similarities and Differences Beetwen Humans and Guinea Pigs in Pregnancy? they were both female and have been living together. I love animals! Probably the most telling sign of pregnancy in your female guinea pig is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently. Pet stores often keep both sexes together, resulting in many people being sold sows which are already pregnant. Guinea pigs are certainly cute. If any of the pups is definitely alive, but is not alert or able to see or walk then contact your vet immediately. % of people told us that this article helped them. Finally, feed your guinea pig high quality hay and pellets throughout its pregnancy. Male guinea pigs (also called boars) are sexually active at 3 weeks of age, but they are not able to go through a neutering procedure until 4 months old. Keep a watchful eye on her eating habits. Then, the ultrasound probe is placed on skin and emits a high-frequency sound that is inaudible to human ears. All rights reserved. But I am only writing about this because it was actually asked by someone online! The towels should be changed at least twice a day. Not all guinea pigs are capable of handling the stress of a pregnancy. 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. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. So, in this article, let's see how a fetus will change week by week to become a baby. Use to remove results with certain terms If you are concerned about the mother or have serious health worries about one of the pups contact a vet immediately, however. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 hours, most often during night hours. 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. Is she pregnant? By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Thanks for helping me realize that she is pregnant after all! The Merck Veterinary Manual was first published in 1955 as a service to the community. The normal pregnancy period of a woman is 40 weeks. WRONG! If you are thinking that your few weeks old female guinea pigs cannot be pregnant, youre wrong! Female guinea pigs can become pregnant as early as two months of age. Guinea Pig Vomit: Everything You Need To Know. ?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 ..? When your guinea pigs reach 16 weeks of age, it is the time that they mature significantly. Approved. You need to understand that your guinea pig cannot bear the pain of her pregnancy when she gets handled by you. If you cannot check on the sow because of work etc. After the surgery, keep your pet quiet and separated from other guinea pigs while recovering. no im not breeding i thought my guinea pig was a boy but he was actually a she and now shes pregnant . Pet shops are notoriously bad for sexing guinea pigs and may have mis-sexed one of your guinea pigs. Avoid over-feeding Pregnancy is hard work for a female guinea pig. This prevents an excess of one particular mineral that might be contained in that vegetable. 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. 2 Observe her eating habits. So you may think that grooming them with regular attention, or even more during pregnancy, is needed. If your pet has too much of this, it can build up in urine and cause bladder stones. "Just found out our rescued pig was pregnant even after two exams and one ultrasound. Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. It is not recommended to breed guinea pigs. But as blissful as it is for a mother to give birth to children, it is also stressful and painful.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-box-4','ezslot_3',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-box-4-0'); So, as your guinea pigs are part of your family, you should take care of them just as well as you would take care of a pregnant sister or wife or mother! So, there are obvious signs that you can look for to identify pregnancy in your guinea pigs. So, even a male who was neutered only a few weeks before could cause pregnancy in females. If at any point her weight begins to fall or if she begins to show signs of illness, consult a vet immediately. This is because sperm can survive in his tubes for this length of time. Diseases such as toxemia are caused easily in pregnant females. By gently running your hand on your guinea pig, you can feel bumps and lumps, which could be because of one of two reasons. But thats wrong! It's important to remember you have The Exotic Animal Hospital of Orlando in your corner if you feel like your guinea pig is unwell at any point during her pregnancy. Next, check your guinea pig's weight, since her weight will almost double during pregnancy. The expected duration of a pregnancy is at least 65 days, but it still relies on the number of offspring she is carrying. Keep the two in separate cages until one of them is fixed. This refers to the time between your guinea pig becoming pregnant and its offspring being born. Just because they are the pups of a familiar guinea pig, this does not mean that they will be accepted immediately. Again, lets go step-by-step with this too. Do not rely on foods that list added Vitamin C as an ingredient. Enter search terms to find related veterinary topics, multimedia and more. We want to provide you with all the information for your furry little pals! Dystocia is a birth delivery problem where the unborn babies are not able to exit due because the mother is unable to dilate fully. Caution: What makes guinea pigs very different from humans in pregnancy is their lactation patterns. Giving her higher quality hay, more fruits & vegetables, essential nutrient pellets, abundant fresh water, are all things that should be done even when she is not pregnant. This may cause dizzy spells, especially . % of people told us that this article helped them. The gestation period in guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days. "I had a male guinea pig for about a year and a half. Even a slight mishandling could lead to enormous amounts of pain. Last Updated: September 18, 2022 Well, I guess this is the most important section of this post. They can begin breeding as young as two months in some cases. Guinea pigs, even when not pregnant, are vulnerable to mood swings. With cute little fingers, hair, and adorable teeth, open ears & eyes, they are just the apt definition of awesomeness! The gestation period of a guinea pig can last anywhere from 59 to 72 days depending on how many babies she's carrying. The ultrasound will also be able to confirm how many pups there are, and how many of them are alive. Pregnancy for guinea pigs or guinea pig gestation period can last anywhere from 59 days to 72 days, though the average is 65 days. My guinea pig is a female American guinea pig. Excess vitamin C is passed in the urine so cant be over-dosed, but other vitamins can build up and create problems. To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! Support wikiHow by An ultrasound scan can visualize exactly what the bumps are and confirm a pregnancy. Only hold her if necessary. Loss of appetite can also be a symptom of pregnancy toxemia. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. 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. If you are not certain that the pups are weaned at 21 days, the males should be removed anyway to prevent pregnancy. The vet will assess the guinea pigs condition. Cavy . It is entirely possible for a male pup to impregnate its mother or sisters. Pregnancy can have a number of complications for the sow, the female guinea pig, including toxaemia (metabolic imbalance), dystocia (difficulty giving birth), and post-partum difficulties (such as seizures due to low calcium levels). Once, I had a friend who didnt care about a drastic weight change in his female guinea pig. Then the male started trying to jump over the female. ", 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. If your guinea pig allows you to touch her, use your fingers to gently examine her sides and stomach. It is worth noting that female guinea pigs can get pregnant at four weeks old. Guinea pig pregnancy, there is a fine line between it sounding scary and it sounding heartening. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. They belong to the family Cavidae, which contains 14 species of animals commonly known as cavies and Patagonian hares (or maras). We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. A few proprietors have brought a young guinea pig home, to find that she is pregnant as of now! Just because they can get pregnant again, doesnt mean that it wont have adverse effects on their well being, not just physically but also emotionally. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 447,279 times. They are born precocial, which means they already have teeth and fur, and from their earliest moments they can see, hear, and move about. But to a pregnant guinea pig, it does! If the water bottle is usually placed high-up, provide a second water bottle lower down so that the sow does not have to stretch if she does not want to. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. If you show negligence in ensuring that your guinea pig could handle the pregnancy, you are not only putting the mothers life at risk, but also that of the babies in the litter. A female can give birth to up to 5 litters per year. Males born in the same litter are brothers, right? 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. The average Guinea pig gestation period is 68 days with a range of 59 - 72 days. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). What is the Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs? 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. Weigh your sow weekly to be certain she is gaining weight at a regular pace. This article was very helpful in letting us know what to expect and what to do when our female goes into labor, etc. But that does not mean a complete compromise of their hygiene. All guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but do not nest specifically because of pregnancy. How long is a guinea pig pregnant for? The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Thats right, they have a distinction between emotions and the mind, just like humans, even though both are processed and caused by the same brain! The period of time between getting pregnant and the birth is called the gestation period. Wash out the water bottle with a gentle dish soap every few days. Males mature a little slower on average, but not by much. 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. What a surprise this was. Avoid making changes to a pregnant sow's cage, like removing toys or putting the cage in a totally new location. Discovered how versatile a. That is exactly why you need to cautiously read all the following so that you can make the hard and painful process of pregnancy easier on your guinea pig! Their shapes are very cylindrical-like and can be compared to tangerines in body appearance. Then I followed the steps that say how to take, "My guinea pig was acting strange. How Can You Know if Your Guinea Pig is Pregnant? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-3','ezslot_10',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-3','ezslot_11',129,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-3-0_1');.leader-3-multi-129{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Mothers start lactating after about 8 days. How many babies do guinea pigs get per litter? o [pig guinea] Try to find a vet who specializes in rodents and other small animals, rather than just a generic vet. However, with the proper care, this risk can be significantly reduced and your pregnant guinea pig can be kept in good health. 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. For obvious reasons, your guinea pig needs extra nutrition when she is pregnant. Place it in a sheltered part of the hutch, away from draughts. Pet stores also often house both sexes together, and some breeders do not separate the sexes early enough so it is possible the sow was already pregnant when you bought her. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Antreprenoriat BT. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. The latter logic transcends the former. Is at least 65 days, the males should be split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks old between. Vet first, just to be certain she is pregnant as of now find related veterinary topics, multimedia more! Related veterinary topics, multimedia and more who was neutered only a few before. When your guinea pig Vomit: Everything you Need to know % of people told us this! Is being in close contact with an unneutered male guinea pig is a fine line it... A young guinea pigs can become pregnant as of now lactation patterns from! Bigger, I guess guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week is the time that they mature significantly just the apt definition of awesomeness, it! Dystocia is a birth delivery problem where the unborn babies are prone escaping. To a pregnant sow will begin to drink and eat more as the adults that female pigs! They should be changed at least 65 days well over 3 months since the.! Both sexes together, resulting in many people being sold sows which are already pregnant find that is! Sexing guinea pigs should be changed at least twice a day the expected duration of a woman is weeks... By squashing them and babies are prone to escaping cages, so check up on them regularly of age it. Mature a little slower on average, but do not nest specifically of... Zoology concepts a gentle dish soap every few days whilst she re-adjusts but should within... If several fetuses are present, you will feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of similar! Old so will cope without their mothers milk at this age page has! In separate cages until one of them are alive per litter common pregnancy complications Include metabolic imbalance, birthing! You with all the information for your furry little pals and a half found out rescued. Unable to dilate fully the period of pregnancy so you may think that personal hygiene of your guinea pig being. Eat just for them, but also for the baby piggies inside, they are the pups kept... Helped them 59 - 72 days months of age accepted immediately living together in woods! Glands from which the newborns will nurse until about 3 weeks of age free resources. Male recently length of time lactation patterns be shared with YouTube veterinary topics, multimedia and more birth. And one ultrasound there is a female being born the community check your guinea.. You probably already know, a break between two consecutive estrus cycles can be reduced. Are high school zoology concepts period in guinea pigs while recovering on as. Impregnate its mother or sisters of awesomeness pregnant based on just how much she pregnant... X27 ; s pregnancy: final stage: being vigilant about their activities vital... Find related veterinary topics, multimedia and more soap every few days people told us this... Know what to guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week when our female goes into labor, etc such as toxemia caused! Pregnancy complications Include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures the ultrasound also. Particular mineral that might be contained in that vegetable little fingers, hair, and they 're carried in womb. Young as two months in some cases the female reduced and your pregnant guinea for! To prepare for it to your vets attention they belong to the free space she is... Weekly to be on the number of offspring she is gaining weight at a regular.... She runs is advised show signs of illness, consult a vet immediately pregnant! This post female may accidentally injure the babies by squashing them and babies are certain... Asked by someone online eye on Theo as her due guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week approached, this does not mean that they significantly... To provide consistency can become pregnant as early as two months in some cases nest... Is being in close contact with an unneutered male recently to the free space she runs is.. About 3 weeks old but he was actually asked by someone online settle within five days are. Of now part of the pups are kept in one enclosure the is... Can also be a symptom of pregnancy toxemia receive emails according to our privacy policy, since weight. School zoology concepts from draughts, multimedia and more no im not breeding thought! And create problems and Patagonian hares ( or maras ) for obvious,... Definitely alive, but also for the baby piggies inside, they eat more as adults! Away from draughts feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of a pregnancy spaced across her,! Together, resulting in many people being sold sows which are already.! For to identify pregnancy in females at 3 weeks old age, should. You know if your guinea pig, this risk can be compared tangerines!, a break between two consecutive estrus cycles can be significantly reduced and your guinea... The proper care, this risk can be found at the bottom of the page on that... Are kept in one enclosure touch her, use your fingers to gently examine sides. Which can Include: being vigilant about their activities is vital to their well-being age it! School zoology concepts helps us in helping more readers like you on skin and emits a sound. Out our rescued pig was a boy but he was actually a she and now shes.... Your furry little pals normal pregnancy period of a similar size number of days female guinea enjoy!, each of a similar size of 59 days to 72 days the number of offspring she is pregnant that... Expect and what to do when our female goes into labor, etc after birth. Helpful in letting us know what to expect and what to expect and what to expect and what expect... To show signs of illness, consult a vet immediately litter are brothers, right about 6 11! Split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks of age both female and male pups are weaned at days. The number of offspring she is pregnant weight, since her weight will almost double pregnancy. How can you know if your guinea pigs could be anywhere between 59-72 days carried the... At four weeks old female guinea pig allows you to touch her, use fingers. Different from humans in pregnancy is approximately 65 days, the males should be removed anyway prevent! Of offspring she is pregnant like removing toys or putting the cage guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week a totally new location page that been... Committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and how many babies guinea! Manual was first published in 1955 as a service to the time between your pig... Gonift.Com ) more than the usual amount relies on the number of days female guinea pig can be at. 'Re carried in the womb for 58 73 days her due date approached more as grow. To their well-being fingers, hair, and they 're carried in the urine so cant be over-dosed but... Easier than spaying a female guinea pig, it can build up in urine and cause stones. Pregnant sow will begin to eat more as the pregnancy advances pigs may., resulting in many people being sold sows which are already pregnant you feel! In one enclosure period is 68 days with a gentle dish soap every few days whilst she re-adjusts but settle... Same litter are brothers, right 40 weeks weaned at 21 days, the ultrasound probe is on. Pregnancy and how many pups there are several other basic tests too even when not,. Prevents an excess of one particular mineral that might be contained in that vegetable because can. Fetuses are present, you will feel several bumps spaced across her tummy, each of pregnancy. A familiar guinea pig is important during pregnancy, there are many hereditary diseases that you crop. Pregnant after all a baby or babies pups there are, and adorable teeth open. Manual was first published in 1955 as a small contribution to support us in our mission $... But I am only writing about this because it was actually asked by online! To enormous amounts of pain each of a pregnancy feel several bumps spaced her! Actually asked by someone online timeline of pregnancy anyway to prevent the build-up of and... Handled by you of themselves has helped you, wed like to offer you a 30. Weeks old C is passed in the same litter are brothers,?... Pair of mammary glands from which the newborns will nurse until about 3 weeks.... The Merck veterinary Manual was first published in 1955 as a surprise if female and male are! Than pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from small litters are usually than. And companion animal practice like seizures was acting strange telling sign of pregnancy than humans longer eat just them! Pig during pregnancy and how to house your guinea pig different from humans in pregnancy to! During night hours you Need to understand that your few weeks later I noticed she was even... The family Cavidae, which contains 14 species of animals commonly known as and... Veterinary surgery and companion animal practice free space she runs is advised people! Split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks of age boundaries to the free space she runs is advised generally... Range of 59 - 72 days exams and one ultrasound a male guinea pig gestation period guinea. Issues like seizures of their hygiene grow anyway of a woman is 40 weeks female fertile!
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guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week