Care for a pregnant guinea pig

The pregnancy of the guinea pigs

First of all, we have to confirm that our guinea pig is pregnant.If we do not know if it has reached sexual maturity or if it has been in contact with any male, we can suspect pregnancy if we observe some of the following signs :

Increase in water and food intake.
Constant fattening.
Breast development.
Pear shape, with an enlarged abdomen.
Possibility of feeling the fetal movements if you rest your hand on your belly.

To To be sure, we can consult with our veterinarian. Using an ultrasound it is possible to confirm the pregnancy and find out the number of offspring that our guinea pig is brewing, which can vary from 1 to 6.The veterinarian will be responsible , also, to provide us with information about the care for our pregnant guinea pig and resolve all our doubts.The pregnancy in these rodents lasts, on average, about 68 days.Although in this p eriodo our guinea pig will lead a practically normal life, we must observe some important aspects that we will develop next.

Feeding for a pregnant guinea pig

Once the pregnancy is confirmed, the first thing, within the care for a pregnant guinea pig, is going to be to adapt its diet.A correct diet for any guinea pig includes, according to its proportion , the following foods:

Hay, since the guinea pigs are completely herbivores.
Specific feed for guinea pigs that must also be composed of hay.
Vegetables rich in vitamin C to prevent a disease called scurvy (lack of vitamin C because the necessary one is not ingested in the diet).
Fruits and cereals only as a prize, that is, of occasional consumption.
Vitamin C supplement if our guinea pig does not eat enough with its usual diet.

After reviewing the diet that every guinea pig needs, how should we adapt it? if ours is in gestation period? Feeding a pregnant guinea pig should include the following modifications to your usual diet :

Alfalfa hay rich in calcium , necessary in the pregnancy, as their requirements increase.
The amount of vitamin C tripled daily is tripled, so it may become necessary to supplement, always under the supervision of the veterinarian.It is better to give this vitamin directly because it decomposes quickly and if we put it dissolved in the drinking fountain it can have no effect.
We must ensure that our guinea pig always has fresh and clean water at its disposal, in a drinker, also clean, and easily accessible.
Eye with parsley .Although it contains a large amount of much-needed vitamin C, it has an effect on elutero and can cause abortions.

Ideal environment for a pregnant guinea pig

In addition to feeding it is also important to maintain the following precautions:

It is not time to make changes in the environment or in the routines of our guinea pig because they can be a stress factor for her.Likewise, we must avoid loud noises, drafts or excess heat (the guinea pigs withstand heat rather than cold).
Although her life is going to remain essentially the same, if we find that you have difficulties entering or leaving the cage, accessing the drinking fountain, etc., we must take measures to facilitate mobility .
If you live together with other guinea pigs and we observe that with some clashes occur it is a good idea to separate them, keeping the pregnant cage in the usual cage.You can live with the male until the end of pregnancy, if you feel comfortable with it, but you should always separate some days before delivery or just after to prevent a pregnancy right after birth.
The s guinea pigs do not need to nest to give birth but, even so, we must always keep the bed clean .
During pregnancy we can notice that our guinea pig is more reluctant to handle it.Let's leave it alone.
In case of any anomaly or doubt we should consult the veterinarian without wasting time.In this sense, it is important that this is an expert in guinea pigs.It is a good idea to have your telephone number and the emergency number at hand in case there are any complications.
Finally, it is not the time to submit it to activities that displease you, such as bathing or brushing.Unless you like it, we can postpone it for the couple of months that the pregnancy lasts.

These would be the main care for a pregnant guinea pig, if we find ourselves before a healthy female.In the next section we will stop at the risks that may arise.

Risks for guinea pigs during pregnancy

As we have said, guinea pigs mature sexually very soon, between 2-4 months (we also have to take into account that their life expectancy is, on average, about 5 years). A from 10 months of age the bones of your pelvis are being welded.A first delivery at this time may be impossible, since a rigid birth canal will prevent the outflow of the offspring, assuming a caesarea with the risks that this intervention entails.Therefore, if we do not know the age of our guinea pig or if it has given birth previously or not, it is advisable to put the case in the hands of the veterinarian.Between 4-7 months will be the age safer for a first pregnancy.

On the other hand, in the care for a pregnant guinea pig, we must know the main pathology that can occur during this period, the toxemia , which it is a very serious and deadly metabolic disorder, if it is not detected in the early stages.It occurs in females a couple of e weeks before delivery and up to a week later.It manifests itself by immobility, anorexia and hypersalivation (drooling) and, in blood tests, hypoglycemia, although there are times when the guinea pig appears suddenly dead without showing no symptoms.There are also risk factors such as obesity or age.

How to know if my guinea pig is going to give birth

The care for a pregnant guinea pig also includes the time of delivery.One of the greatest uncertainties in any pregnancy is knowing when the event will take place.Although we know that the pregnancy of our guinea pig lasts about two months, it is impossible to know when it will be the exact day of childbirth.Also, in guinea pigs it is not easy to detect symptoms that indicate the impending birth, since there are no changes in their behavior Perhaps the only one of the pelvic bone would be.If we put our finger over the genitals of our guinea pig, we will notice a bone.If we notice it as a split in two, with an approximate separation of 1 centimeter, we can predict that the birth will take place in the next days (about 10).It must be borne in mind that this sign is not an exact measure, that it is not easy to palpate it and that there are guinea pigs that can present this separation for a long time without starting labor.

Once the part or it starts, the guinea pig will remain still and its offspring will be born quickly.Yes, if you wonder how long the delivery of a guinea pig lasts, you should know that, in general, the whole process usually lasts from about 10 minutes to half an hour and In any case, it should not last for more than an hour.The possible complications that may arise are set out in the following section.

Delivery problems in guinea pigs

Generally, childbirth does not require any special care on our part, since it is usually a quick and simple process that our guinea pig will do quietly alone.We should not intervene unless there is any complication, such as the following :

Disregard of the offspring , translated into not breaking the amniotic bag.Normally, according to the offspring are born, the mother will break the bag with her teeth It involves them but, sometimes, this does not occur, for different reasons, and we will be the ones who break it and bring the mother closer to it.We can ask our veterinarian to teach us.
Excess of time , if the process of childbirth lasts for more than an hour without more babies being born and we observe that our guinea pig is still in labor, making efforts.It may be a dystocia and will need veterinary intervention.
Bleeding , which is normal in childbirth but reason for consultation if the amount of blood exceeds one tablespoon.
Of course, we should request veterinary assistance if we observe any anomalous sign in our guinea pig or in its young.

The expulsion of the placentas indicates the end of the birth.It is completely normal for the guinea pig to eat them, just as it ingests amniotic bags and umbilical cords.Small guinea pigs are born with the ability to feed themselves.mother will be able to eat the same as her, so you have to continue with a balanced diet, maintaining the alfalfa hay that ensures the calcium necessary for their growth.Despite this independence, they should suck approximately during the first month., it is important to separate males and females to avoid new pregnancies , both from the mother and the offspring.

Lastly, even though we provide all the care for a pregnant guinea pig, the gestation process supposes e a risk, not to mention the ethical issues that should surround the raising of guinea pigs in a society in which so many of these animals are abandoned and, therefore, need a home.As responsible caregivers we must consider sterilization .

If you want to read more articles similar to Care for a pregnant guinea pig , we recommend that you enter our Gestacion section.

Comments

How to make your cat happy?

Proper nutrition is key to your well-being Like us and the rest of the animals, cats need to be well nourished to feel good.Adequate feeding for the cat's nutritional needs is essential to prevent common diseases in this species. Although it seems obvious, it is important to remember that, if you opt for a commercial food, you should choose a good quality feed.There are numerous scientific studies that prove that a good feed better the general condition of the cat , the quality of the hair, the skin, etc.However, many are those who think that quality products are too expensive and opt for less beneficial foods.If you have the possibility of allowing yourself a better product, what can there be Better than investing in the health of your best friend? In addition, thinking about the cost of veterinary visits, in the long term it is possible to save much more if a better feed is selected.Now, with this we do not mean that the most expensive feed is the best in the market, becaus...

How to take care of my boxer's hair

Usually many people believe that the short hair of boxer dogs does not need Be careful, a big mistake.So if you want to know the boxer dog hair care as if you are considering submitting it to the contest you need to continue reading this article of Animals and Pets Online. Next we will offer you a small product guide , homemade tricks and very useful recommendations so that your boxer's dog hair looks beautiful and healthy. Ready? Find out about how to take care of my boxer's hair by Animals and Pets Online. The importance of taking care of your fur If you have recently adopted a boxer and you don't know this wonderful breed yet, you should be surprised by their tenderness and the affection they offer to those who care for them. Like it happens with other dog breeds, each boxer dog will have a distinct and defined personality, for this reason we can find very clean dogs, less clean and even authentic followers of the water in the puddles, it will depend on each...

Where do elephants live? - Habitat and distribution

Elephants are among the largest animals in the world., heavy, majestic, with huge ears and imposing fangs, it is difficult for them to go unnoticed. Have you ever wondered where elephants live? Then you can't miss this article! Learn a little more about these mammals, their distribution, that they feed and the main reasons that are leading them to extinction in Animals and Pets Online.Keep reading! The giants of the earth They are called elephants the mammals of the order Proboscidea and the family Elephantidae .One of their prehistoric ancestors was the gigantic mammoth.Its life expectancy is 70 years , although there are records of specimens that have reached almost 90 years.It is part of the list of the 10 largest animals in the world, being the animal Earth's largest land. They are distinguished not only by their size, but also by large ears capable of perceiving sounds over long distances, and by the tube .With this no they only breathe, because it is th...

Sheep dog of the Pyrenees of flat face: characteristics

Shepherd dog of the Pyrenees of flat face is a variety of the shepherd dog of the long-haired Pyrenees although the International Cynological Federation considers the two as separate breeds.This dog presents practically the same morphology as the other variety, the long-haired shepherd, but it is a little taller, proportionate and has a somewhat different coat. These canines are very active and familiar with theirs but, because of their dog nature guardian, it has to be territorial ay protect theirs against the hidden ones, so that a good socialization will be necessary so that this dog also knows how to relate to the rest of dog companions, other humans, other animals and their environment in general. If you are interested in adopting a flat-faced Pyrenean sheepdog and you don't know what Features, keep reading this breed sheet of Animals and Pets Online and find out all the information necessary to know it better and be happy by your side. Origin of the flat-faced Pyre...

10 things you didn't know about rabbits

Rabbits are far from being simple animals.They have special characteristics of its species that differentiate it from other creatures of the animal kingdom.And surely, no matter how much you love rabbits, there are many things you still don't know about them. Learn new and interesting facts about rabbits , it will help you give a better life and build a better relationship with him if you have one as a pet.Behind that tender and endearing face hides a wide and fascinating world. If you are considering taking a rabbit home or you already have it and want to know more about it, continue reading this article of Animals and Pets Online, where we present 10 things you didn't know about rabbits that, we know, you will find interesting and helpful. 1.A peculiar lifestyle Rabbits that live in wild environments live underground in groups with other rabbits.They live with their relatives and feel safe to be with them accompanying them.The "caves" where Inhabiting r...

10 reasons to walk your dog

The dog is an animal that needs to walk 2 to 3 times a day, But do you know why that is so? In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain why it is so important to walk with your dog, why the garden does not replace the walk and many other things that, perhaps you do not know. Do not forget This is a very important habit that you must carry out on a daily basis.Not doing so can be very harmful for your pet, do not forget it.Keep reading and discover 10 reasons to walk with your dog . 1.They must make their needs The first reason, and the most important , to take a dog for a walk, is to allow him to do his needs until he is satisfied. Apart from puppies that are not yet able to go outside or who are learning to urinate, it is very negative to allow our dog to urinate and defecate at home.In addition to causing a bad smell, we will be creating an unhealthy environment important that can lead to serious health problems in dogs and humans. 2.It allows them to ...

Curious pregnancy tests

Pregnancy is a topic on which popular culture has developed many ideas and beliefs.sex drinks depending on the shape of the belly or the moment it was conceived, what the cravings and other symptoms mean, even ways of knowing if the woman is pregnant. In this sense, there are different Curious pregnancy tests that you can take at home to find out if you are pregnant or not.The reality is that if you want a high level of effectiveness you should opt for pregnancy detectors that you can find in pharmacies or visit your gynecologist. All these tests can be done at home, and although they do not have the efficacy of others, they can be a good way to find out how effective they are by comparing them with medical results.Read the following ONsalus article on pregnancy tests cu goddesses and discover them. Pendulum test The pendulum test is one of the best known since it was very popular many years ago, when there were not many methods to know if you were pregnant .It is about t...

How to raise crickets? - Food and care

If you have a pet that feeds on insects, you can that gays valued the option of creating a cricket colony and that you are looking for a cricket farm for sale to start your own community.It is very important to highlight the importance of finding cricket farms in Spain or in any other country and never remove them from the environment , as well as causing an environmental impact, we could spread pathologies to our pets. In this Animals and Pets Online article we will show you how to raise crickets , explaining to you in detail how to take care of crickets at home and achieve a stable, productive and healthy colony, thereby achieving sufficient savings to soundproof the room or the place destined to contain the boxes that will contain the colony and will be sufficient to ensure the protein intake in the food on of a bearded dragon, for example. Necessary material For proper cricket breeding, you must have a pair of plastic containers of between 30 and 50 liters each.The size ...

Fish compatible with Betta fish

As we have already mentioned, Betta fish are also called Siam fighters.This is not a coincidence, and it is a species that can become very aggressive.This quality is predominant in males, which are very territorial with other males of the same species.This implies that Bettas males can never live in the same aquarium (something that does not happen with females, if they are able to share the same space). The water in the Bettas fishbowl should be kept between 24º and 30º and it is preferable not to use tap water, since they are better maintained in waters with acid pH.Therefore, before adopting a companion for your Betta , the first thing you should know is if you could adapt to this type of habitat. The more fish you try to combine in the same aquarium, the bigger this should be.Due to its territoriality, the Bettas need a lot of space so you can live comfortably with others.If you are going to have three or four pe together with a fish tank of 30 to 40 liters will suffice, howev...

Can I bathe my dog after vaccinating him?

Have you ever wondered if you can swim a dog just vaccinated? Do you need to have an urgent bath but you just had the vaccine and you are not sure ? In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will show you the consequences of vaccines in your dog's organism, so that you understand better how it feels and can decide whether it is good or bad to ban your dog after getting vaccinated. Can I bathe my dog after vaccinating him? We answer your question and expand the information below, along with other curiosities and essential details, both in adults and puppies, take note and do not lose detail ! How do vaccines affect our dog? On the basis that vaccines are attenuated viruses , what is done is to inoculate them in the body of the animal so that it produces antibodies naturally against the most common diseases and dangerous. In the case of adult dogs the veterinarian usually collects in a single dose 4 vaccines against 4 different diseases.In the case of puppies, as t...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog