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

Rabbits with obesity - Detection and Diet

Rabbits or Oryctolagus cuniculus are, within the small mammals, of which they have more tendency to gain weight.That is why it is not so strange that a domestic rabbit ends up being obese. In fact, many people with pets tend to show carinos aestas with excesses that many Sometimes they manifest themselves in the form of food, but we must bear in mind that excess food is never healthy and less if it is a different type of food than the basic one. If you have a rabbit or you plan to adopt To one, find out about rabbits with obesity, detection and diet that we must offer to improve their health. What is obesity? Obesity is excess weight in the form of fat in the body.It occurs in animals that are prone to it genetically and/or by their lifestyle. In addition to being a problem in itself, it aggravates or accelerates other possible diseases over time.Other more direct effects of obesity are loss of agility, joint wear, exhaustion and increased sleep among many others. Obesity ...

How much an anaconda can measure

Many people have a snake as a pet.If you like snakes, and Above all, if you like big snakes, the anaconda is an animal that interests you.This type of snake is considered the largest in the world, but be careful, not heavy, not long. If you It has stung curiosity, do not forget to read this new article of Animals and Pets Online, and we will reveal you until how much an anaconda can measure . Do not forget to comment and share your photographs so other users can see them too! Anaconda types Four types of anaconda are known : Green or common anaconda Yellow anaconda Anaconda Beni or Barbour Anaconda de Deschauensee The green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) Of the four is the most common .It can be found in different countries of South America: Guyana Trinidad Island Venezuela Colombia Brazil Ecuador Peru Bolivia Northeast of Paraguay Its color is a dark green with black spots rounded along its entire body, also on the flanks The belly is lighter,...

DIET for CATS with RENAL CALCULATIONS

Like humans, cats can also suffer from the formation of calculations in your urinary system.As we will see in this article of Animals and Pets Online, food will play a fundamental role both in the dissolution of the calculations and in its consolidation.That is why, as a basic aspect of the treatment, we will talk about the cat diet with kidney stones . In addition to food, keeping the cat always well hydrated will be essential to control this unpleasant problem, so pay close attention to his behavior. Types of kidney stones in cats Calculations, popularly known as "stones", are formed by the deposit of different substances in the urinary system.Those that form in the kidneys must reach the bladder to be expelled.As the calculations can be of very different sizes, this will determine whether or not its exit with the urine is feasible, or if they will be large enough to cause a total or partial obstruction in some point of the urinary system. In its formation the p...

How to know what size a mongrel dog will be?

When we talk about a mixed breed dog or mixed breed dog , generally we refer to a dog whose ancestry is unknown and that has typical characteristics of two or more breeds.This is usually the result of a non-selective breeding, but generally fortunate, since a mongrel dog can be exactly as good companion as a dog of a certain breed. Due to numerous factors, although here it is worth highlighting the great genetic variability, there are many advantages of having a mongrel dog and it is important to emphasize this point since unfortunately it is usually grant a lower value to a dog of these characteristics.If you are thinking of adopting a mixed breed dog, you are surely gathering all the necessary information, if you are wondering how to know what size a mongrel dog will be I didn't leave It is to read this article of Animals and Pets Online. Is it possible to know the size of a mongrel dog? Of course, estimating the exact size of a mongrel dog is not an easy task, although ...

Why does my dog vomit and have diarrhea?

Vomiting and diarrhea are relatively common processes in dogs and Sometimes they may worry their caregivers, especially if they do not remit , bleeding in vomit or stool appears or the clinical picture worsens with other symptoms such as anorexia, apathy or fever. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain why a dog vomits and has diarrhea .We will see the most probable causes, since they are very numerous, and can range from a simple indigestion without major complications to a serious illness viric, such as parvovirosis, going through diseases of other systems, such as renal disease, which can affect the digestive system. Vomiting and diarrhea To explain why a dog vomits and has diarrhea, it is usual to focus on his digestive system , since the most common causes of this disorder have their origin in a gastrointestinal dysfunction that , therefore, it will be able to affect the stomach, small intestine or large intestine, which will produce some variations i...

10 long-haired cats

1.Maine coon The cat maine coon is a cat of large size of North American origin.Its weight in adult males can reach 11 Kg., regardless of cases of obesity that have reached 20 kg.Females are smaller.The Maine coon cat has a dense and soft long hair with a great variety of colors . It is one of the most affectionate, friendly and intelligent breeds.He likes the family atmosphere and children.A particularity of the Maine coon is that he loves water and bathing.He is a good swimmer and usually lives well with other pets.He is quite lazy and eat like a lime.For that reason you have to control your weight.Find out more about the care of the Maine Coon. 2.Angora The Angora cats are a very old breed from Turkey .It has long, silky hair.It can have different colors, but the most appreciated (because they are considered the purest and most prototypical), they are white and with heterochromic eyes (one eye of each color). They are very cats intelligent who can learn variou...

What is the name of the Egyptian cat god?

In fact, the Egyptian cat god is actually a cat and it is the Egyptian goddess Bastet or Bast, protector of the human and home, and goddess of happiness and harmony.This Egyptian divinity had its temple of worship in the city of Bubastis, in the eastern region of the Nile Delta, and that is where a multitude of mummified felines were found in tombs to suit them because they were considered as reincarnations of Bastet on Earth, so they could live in the temples, they were sacred cats and at to die, they were mummified as if it were a pharaoh or an Egyptian noble. If you want to know what is the name of the god cat Egyptian really, as the Egyptian goddess lioness became the Egyptian goddess cat and how cats were considered in Ancient Egypt, keep reading this article d and Animals and Pets Online and solve all your doubts. The myth of Sekhmet, the lioness goddess As in all religions, there are a number of myths that serve to explain things that a priori are difficult to und...

Tips to make a cat stop meowing

Hello my cat is two years old, I changed a few months ago from home, the truth that before I did not meow much but since 15 days after the move, very strong mesh and at any time, and had a time to my nephew and Le a scared, and now he is not afraid to be with us, but if he entered some rooms, the sandpit had to change his place because he did not enter and before yes, if I locked him in my room, he used to sleep with me and the bathroom had its stones, needs in the room and if I let him loose in the hall, I don't know what to do to help him with the meow, and that I stop doing his things outside I'm desperate, I want him to be the happy cat again , in addition the other house went out to the window window because there was no danger thinking that now I live in a 4 and I would not let him out I thought it could be that I would miss him, I have placed a net so he can leave but he continues with those fluffy fluids, thanks

Ivermectin for cats - Dosage and uses

In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will talk about the ivermectin for cats , a drug that has been employed for decades.Registered for use in cattle, there are currently other more specific, effective and safe products that have studies in cats and, therefore, are more recommended., we will explain in which cases ivermectin is used and what are the precautions that we must take into account, since, like any medicine, it can have adverse effects. What is ivermectin for cats? The ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone that has been used since the 1980s in cows, sheep, goats or horses.Its activity antiparasitic has extended its I use companion animals such as dogs and cats.Ivermectin works by paralyzing and, consequently, killing parasites.It is marketed in various formats so that in the market we can find ivermectin in paste, pipette or for oral administration or Injectable, not registered for use in companion animals. Administration on the skin can cause alopecia and...

How many cats can I have at home?

Cat lovers welcome thousands of these animals: they are clean, beautiful, affectionate, funny, have a great personality...However, it is usual to stop to think, How many cats can I have at home? Will they be too many? Especially if we have more than two, it is essential to stop to reflect, simply, to assess whether it is correct or not and that it can lead to having many cats in the same home.For example, does it affect their well-being? Are they happy living in large communities ? Then, in Animals and Pets Online we will solve some of your doubts: How many people live in the home? It is very important to understand that all cats, however independent they may be, need the affection and attention that, on occasion, we can only provide (especially in very introverted cats or who do not know how to relate to other cats), so it is estimated that we can have as many cats as hands , as explained by the Gats Educator. That is, a couple could have up to four cats, while a single per...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog