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. Now that you’re familiar with how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant, what can you do to care for them properly? Not only are the signs not very obvious, but in addition the gestation period is long and a nest isn't built to house the babies. An exotic vet will aid you in diagnosis and treatment. I did all, "I think that it was great help. While pregnancy on guinea pigs can be telling, sometimes it’s difficult to see if your guinea pig is pregnant or not! Dystocia is a birth delivery problem where the unborn babies are not able to exit due because the mother is unable to dilate fully. A guinea pig pregnant with one pup will carry it for 70 days. Or do you notice that she has different behaviors and seems like she’s carrying a baby or two? Do you believe she is pregnant? Thanks a lot.". Is it okay for baby guinea pig/s to be away from the father for a long period of time? To feel for fetuses, place the sow on a towel on a firm surface. My guinea pig is a female American guinea pig. Guinea pigs giving a birth is a fantastic moment. A pregnant guinea pig will have large bulges on both sides of her abdomen. She will be all right as long as you are taking care of her properly and you're ensuring she is in a stress-free environment. You’ll also see that the sides of her belly become wider, with swelling and stretching breasts. Reduce handling to a minimum and don't handle her within two weeks of the birth. If you need to transport your guinea pig, never pick her up by her stomach as it can harm the unborn guinea pigs and the mother herself. Can a father guinea pig mate with a daughter? It’s not that easy to spot a pregnant guinea pig during the initial stages, and by the time you realize she is pregnant, she will be close to delivering the babies. This way, if one of these symptoms is not due to pregnancy you can get your guinea pig the right healthcare, and if your pet turns out to be pregnant then your vet can make sure that there are no complications, as well as offering you medical advice on how best to care for your guinea pig … This will keep your guinea pig from slipping. have company. But not to worry, there are signs of how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant, and not just by their size. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. See if your pet has a change of diet and appetite. Rodent and rabbit medicine. :)", "It helped me because I have two guinea pigs. It may seem … In other words, you will be provided with a visual of your guinea pig's abdomen and the doctor can then confirm or disconfirm a pregnancy. There are also some signals you can watch for in your guinea pig that may indicate she is pregnant. Now I know. Answer (1 of 16): Unfortunately, it is very difficult to determine when a guinea pig is about to give birth. Actually, he can. Your pregnant sow will also need more vitamin C after 4 weeks, about twice as much, so incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C into her diet. If you do not find the exact resolution you are looking for, … Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. I got her for free from a pet store because someone had brought her in, and she's pregnant. The boys can be introduced once they are weaned at three weeks. If your sow is carrying more pups rather than less, her length of pregnancy will more likely be closer to 60 days than 70. Before pregnancy, the two lovebirds must mate. Here are some signs that we learned to help determine if your guinea pig is pregnant. Then they started to do an unusual sound, which I suspected was a mating call. Here’s a helpful video showing you more information on how to do so: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3_QQ2Zvs94. Look for symptoms of pregnancy. Their appearance stays the same adorable and cute self, without any signs of a living creature inside them, only to be visible towards the end of their pregnancy. Make sure that you book an appointment with a reputable vet and that you handle your guinea pig with care during traveling. can anyone tell me the signs as i have a heavily pregnant guinea pig . Her clitoris will tilt against the extra weight. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. Next, check your guinea pig's weight, since her weight will almost double during pregnancy. And while you do this, prepare for the birth itself from creating a good birthing space and preparing all supplies needed to care for the newborn piglets. Immediate veterinary care is required, but the prognosis is usually very poor. Most guinea pigs eat more when it’s cold, when they’re experiencing a growth spurt, or suffering from specific illnesses, so don’t assume she is pregnant. Toxemia is the result of a metabolic imbalance, which causes the guinea pig to become gravely ill. Calcium deficiency often displays similar symptoms, but it is the result of a calcium imbalance, whereas toxemia happens due to internal complications associated with impaired blood supply to the uterus. 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). One, it could be your baby guinea pigs. She will not be as active as usual and may seem quite uncomfortable. Support wikiHow by Yes! However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. So don’t wait any longer and start taking note of these tips for a happier guinea pig today! In fact it is one of the most difficult animals to accurately predict. Most inexperienced Guinea pig "breeders" do not understand this concept. Diet Changes: A pregnant guinea pig will suddenly need to start eating for more than herself. This could increase her stress and affect her eating and drinking habits. Guinea Pig Pregnancy Stages My Guinea Pigs Stages Of Pregn guinea pig pregnancy stages week by week is important information accompanied by photo and HD pictures sourced from all websites in the world. If your guinea pig starts gaining weight in an orderly fashion that is a definite indication that she is pregnant. Feed your guinea pig alfalfa hay instead of timothy hay so that she gets more protein and calcium. 1 decade ago. Favorite Answer . Pregnant guinea pig- signs that labor is coming? Towards the very end of the pregnancy … This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Through these helpful signs on how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant, you won’t have a problem with caring for your guinea pig in the next few steps. Signs Your Guinea Pig Is 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. Other … Guinea pig pregnancy is an exciting time, and you probably can’t wait for your piggy’s new pups to arrive. I have had her for three years and she has never been around any males but my family and I think she is pregnant because she has a pear shape and she isn't fat. Instead of pointing downward, it will move upward as her internal organs increase and pull the reproductive system downward. ", "Very detailed and helpful. However, how will you know if they’re already bearing their own babies? If pregnant, your guinea pig may have a single piglet or up to 3-4. You might already be seeing or looking for bumps to see if they’re carrying babies! We don't know her due date but would like to know what signs to watch for before she gives birth. One of the problems that the guinea pig faces in its daily life is a deficit of vitamin C. Its body isn’t capable of synthesizing it correctly, so it needs an abundant amount of … In the most serious cases, the condition can result in prolonged unconsciousness (coma) and can ultimately lead to death. This information is then translated into an image. Monitor Her Pregnancy and Prepare For Birth, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3_QQ2Zvs94, 10 Tips to Get Your Guinea Pig to Stop Biting You. That way, you’ll be able to care for them properly and give them the proper necessities for a healthy delivery. Thus your pet would have elevated hunger, mood swings due to hormonal changes and must be handled with utmost care and generosity. Nevertheless, you may notice your guinea pig begin to eat and drink more, and their belly begin to grow — see Tell if Your Guinea Pig Is Pregnant.Do not apply pressure to the abdomen as you may cause a miscarriage. Use your dominant hand to feel her belly. If at any point her weight begins to fall or if she begins to show signs of illness, consult a vet immediately. Take her to the vet for a check-up. So make sure your children know they have to let her own rest. I did the research so read on as I show you how to tell if a guinea pig is pregnant! This usually lasts for two weeks or so. Observe the way they act, as they start trying to mount cage mates. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Having a guinea pig as a pet can be a lot of fun, as they are very entertaining and quite easy to take care of. One way to tell if your Sow (a female Guinea Pig) is in heat, is that she'll mount they other Guinea Pigs around her, even if they are female! If you notice any of these signs, then our advice is to take your guinea pig to the vet. Is usually 66 - 72 days or without a bump animals to accurately predict most inexperienced guinea?... 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