guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week

But anywhere in the range of 59 days to 72 days is regarded as normal. If you do decide to have your guinea pig spayed or neutered, seek out a veterinarian who has successfully done a large number of these surgeries. This article has been viewed 324,740 times. Every trimester of the pregnancy in humans, there are differences in the methods of taking care, right? Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. A few weeks later I noticed she was getting bigger, I was curious to see if she was pregnant. 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. A female may accidentally injure the babies by squashing them and babies are prone to escaping cages, so check up on them regularly. 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. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. But when she is, you have no choice but to give nothing less than the perfect. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. 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. Menu Clubul de antreprenoriat. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. The ultrasound exam involves involves clipping a small square of fur and applying gel to the exposed skin. Being wrong about the pregnancy couldnt hurt more than the consequences of neglecting it!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-sky-4','ezslot_23',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-sky-4-0'); There are actual people that I know who neglected the weight gain in their guinea pigs. The temperature outside or in a garage/shed usually becomes too cold at night for a pregnant guinea pig. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_15',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-1-0');The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) can be a helpful natural contraceptive in case of humans for a brief period after the birth of a child. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. 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. Well, they can be described as an epitome of cuteness! Cesarean sections are rarely successful in guinea pigs even when performed by a veterinarian who has experience with guinea pigs. Fruits should usually be given sparingly to guinea pigs because the acid can give them mouth ulcers. But thats wrong! The link you have selected will take you to a third-party website. Right. So be sure to consult fair- minded veterinarians, and a second opinion could never hurt. Finally, feed your guinea pig high quality hay and pellets throughout its pregnancy. Their shapes are very cylindrical-like and can be compared to tangerines in body appearance. Use for phrases Regardless of how pregnancy occurs, the average guinea pig gestation period is 65 days. Stage #3. ", care of my guinea pig and I am so sure that she is healthy and will have my little baby friends soon! . It is often difficult to find homes with caring and responsible pet owners for young guinea pigs. Even a slight mishandling could lead to enormous amounts of pain. The average guinea pig gestation is 59 - 72 days. However, toxemia is in part a lack of sugar, so keeping sugar levels high is important. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Pregnancy for guinea pigs or guinea pig gestation period can last anywhere from 59 days to 72 days, though the average is 65 days. Finally, have the pregnancy confirmed by a veterinarian, who can perform an ultrasound and give you information about caring for a pregnant guinea pig. So do not be surprised if a young little guinea pig you just brought home is already pregnant! Guinea pig pregnancy, there is a fine line between it sounding scary and it sounding heartening. So you should. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 447,279 times. We had no idea of when Theo would have become pregnant, so we just counted the days from when we brought her home. Cavy Slave. Unless you are a qualified veterinarian, the only other way to know is to go to someone who is an actual veterinarian.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'pocketpetcentral_com-portrait-1','ezslot_20',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-portrait-1-0'); Some people may think that knowing how far along the pregnancy is, could not yield any benefit. Enter search terms to find related veterinary topics, multimedia and more. This is when the single-celled zygote develops into full baby guinea pigs by cell division. Males born in the same litter are brothers, right? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_13',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');Unlike humans who may experience contractions for hours at a stretch, guinea pigs do not take longer than half an hour for the delivery of their litter. Excess vitamin C is passed in the urine so cant be over-dosed, but other vitamins can build up and create problems. A female can give birth to up to 5 litters per year. On average, baby guinea pigs come in litters of 2-4, and weigh 70-115g. So you have to be cautious enough to prevent another pregnancy in your guinea pig. 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). Be very careful if you need to hold or handle a pregnant guinea pig. Reduce her exposure to loud noises or bright lights, including direct sunlight. You can also touch her abdomen gently to feel for piglets in the womb. This period starts from the first day of the last period before your baby is born. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. You may think a little touch or petting couldnt hurt. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-portrait-2','ezslot_21',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-portrait-2-0');After birth, the recovery is pretty speedy in guinea pigs. She died along with the litter. No relationship can survive without understanding. In Summary. If you have any concerns regarding your guinea pig's health or well-being, contact us today at 407-286 . Starting from how to know if your guinea pig is pregnant, to how to care for a pregnant guinea pig, to all characteristics of the gestation period, to the birth of the litter, I will lead you through every little detail of guinea pig pregnancy in the upcoming sections of this post! Now they are about the normal size of an adult guinea pig like the first ones you see if you google. For the first week, the babies do not actually rely on the mother for food. Use your dominant hand to feel her belly. The ultrasound, is a non-invasive procedure and can confirm the pregnancy. The average Guinea pig gestation period is 68 days with a range of 59 - 72 days. So they recover pretty quickly. Make sure hay is freely available at all times, and provide in a large ball the guinea pig can burrow in. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Is she pregnant? Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Left untreated, both the mother and the pups will die. 4. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. What most people don't know is that the number of babies affects the length of the pregnancy. Yes, its to know whether she interacted with an unneutered male in recent days.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_19',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Even though a male guinea pig over three weeks of age is capable of causing pregnancy in a female, neutering is advised only after the age of 4 months. A female is fertile for about 6 to 11 . But I am only writing about this because it was actually asked by someone online! As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). 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. You vet may also be able to hear the piglets' heartbeats in the sow's abdomen. Instead, coax her onto a towel or into a box. It is worth noting that female guinea pigs can get pregnant at four weeks old. If pregnant, your guinea pig may have a single piglet or up to 3-4. Publisher: Pergamon. An ultrasound scan can visualize exactly what the bumps are and confirm a pregnancy. Guinea pigs, even when not pregnant, are vulnerable to mood swings. ", needed available in a clear, concise manner, super simple, and now I feel confident in my unexpected blessing. ago. they were both female and have been living together. So I am morally obligated to answer it. 2 Observe her eating habits. So you wouldnt have to worry about them running away to places they are not supposed to go. 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! Laber-Laird & Flecknell. 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. Check to see that the guinea pig is eating and drinking; extra vitamin C may also be helpful. Female guinea pigs begin a new estrous cycle shortly after giving birth. Right? What a surprise this was. Avoid over-feeding But that isnt the case in guinea pigs. You'll need to encourage her into a transport cage through treats or her favourite vegetables/fruit. Cavy . The period of time between getting pregnant and the birth is called the gestation period. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. By this time, your pet's pelvic bones will have widened enough to make way for the pups . However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. At what age can guinea pigs mate? 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. However, do not assume that your guinea pig is pregnant based on just how much she is eating or drinking. Between 1 and 8 guinea pig babies with 4 being the most common number of guinea pigs per litter. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. But now that they are arrested in your home, you must be ready to step up and take responsibility. They can begin breeding as young as two months in some cases. So how about the baby guinea pigs? If there is not an out-of-hours vet in your area, discuss this with your vet to come up with a plan. The probe records the echoes as the sound waves bounce back in order to determine the size, shape, and consistency of internal tissues and organs. [1] So having their cagemates with them could be a good choice. Approved. If you feel lumps under your fingers this is a sign the female is pregnant. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. We might have made some serious mistakes out of ignorance. All animals, for example, tend to eat more when it's cold, when they're having a growth spurt, and when they're suffering from certain illnesses. As a general rule, guinea pigs do not respond well to anaesthetic so if it is possible, separating the sexes is a safer option. 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