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

All about the zeal in cats

Do you think your cat is in heat period ? It is important that you know how to recognize when the animal is in this moment so that you can understand its attitude and take care of it with the attention it requires.Keep in mind that a cat's zeal is different from that of a cat , that is why, below we differentiate the different characteristics according to the gender so that you get a better understanding with your pet. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we want you to learn everything about the zeal of cats : the characteristics, symptoms and care required. The zeal in female cats We will start talking about zeal in cats since it is the most complex.The first thing you should know is that the periods of heat occur at certain times of the year, times when the cat is predisposed to be fertilized by the male to procreate, but not all year they will allow the sexual encounter: only when they are with the zeal. A cat begins to have the first zeal towards at 6 or 9...

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,...

Why was the dodo extinguished?

Surely you've ever heard of the dodo, that fat and silly bird that died in the hands of the conquerors.We have all heard that story but we know little about this animal that I inhabit for a long time in the Mauritius Islands long before the arrival of men. All the data we have about of the Dodo are ancient descriptions and some specimens in different museums of the world.There were two species, the common dodo and the white dodo , the latter inhabited Reunion Island. In this article of Animals and Pets Online you will know the main characteristics of this animal. Because they disappeared and when the last dodo was notified . Features The dodo was a non-flying bird endemic to the Mauritius islands in the Indian Ocean, they were only present in this region and their bodies had adapted to life on these islands. They had no natural predators so they lost the ability to fly.They adapted to terrestrial life which led to a series of changes in their anatomy.The wings were m...

The 15 best dog feeds on the market

What to consider when selecting the best dog food? When selecting the feed that we are going to provide to our dog, we must take into account, mainly, its age.This is because industrial balanced foods are classified according to the age of the animal , offering I think for junior dogs (puppies), I think for adult dogs and I think for senior (elderly) dogs.When a dog goes from junior to adult and then to senior ? I think for dogs junior , in general, is intended for puppies from 2 to 12-15 months, depending on their adult size. I think for adult dogs is for dogs that are 1 to 8 years old. I think for dogs senior is designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs that exceed 8 years of age. In addition to the age of the animal, we will consider its adult size , since there are also small dog food s, medium, large and giant, adapted to the needs of each one. Once the range of feed for dogs that fits the age and size of our furry companion has been detected, how to ch...

Types of wasps

The wasps are insects belonging to the family Vespidae and belonging to one of the largest orders of insects, where there are also ants, bumblebees and bees, among others.They are eusocial animals, although there are also some species that prefer solitude. One of the most distinctive characteristics of the wasps is the "waist", the area that divides the thorax of the abdomen.They can also be distinguished by having a stinger which they can use several times and not only once as in the case of bees. The wasps make their nest of mud or vegetable fibers; same that are in the ground, in trees, as well as in ceilings and walls of human rooms; All this depending on the type of wasp we are talking about.In this article of Animals and Pets Online you will know the different types of wasps , we invite you to continue reading. Subfamilies of Vespidos To better understand everything related to the types of wasps, we must detail that there are a total of 6 subfamilies of vespi...

What is the canicross? How to practice it with your dog?

There are more and more people who practice canicross with their Dogs: they run with them tied at the waist.This sport can be done individually, although there are also clubs that prepare for different competitions at regional, national or international level. Developing daily activities with your dog is a excellent way to strengthen your link , for this reason, in this article of Animals and Pets Online we want to talk about canicross, a very complete impact sport for people who want to exercise with their pets. Next, we will explain what is canicross and how to practice it with your dog , a great way to create a proactive routine and to promote a healthy physical state for both: What is the canicross? Canicross is one of the most fashionable canine sports today.Actually, it is a modality of mushing , the traditional sled dog throw. It consists of running with a dog tied at the waist using a belt and a firing line that is fixed with a carabiner.The line of fire is conn...

The best hours to walk a dog

For starters it is important to note that dog walks should always be done at the same times, that is, you should follow a very regular schedule that allows them to anticipate that they will go out Although a priori does not seem relevant, the truth is that dogs are animals of customs, so being able to anticipate will help them to be more balanced . In addition to following a schedule marked, the frequency of the walks can vary from one dog to another: some breeds, such as the border collie, will need between two and four daily walks, but others such as the pug or, for example, a very old dog, will have enough with two It is not always easy to know how many times to take a dog for a walk, but some factors such as age or energy level that we observe can help us. Now that you know these Previous details, we will explain what is the best time to walk a dog and what is more convenient to do in each of the schedules: 1.Tomorrow During the morning the dog should be able to enjoy...

Belier rabbit care

When we refer to the belier rabbit we can see that it is a small rabbit, of long and fallen ears, a furry and friendly animal.But when we decide to adopt one we must pay attention to their particular needs . This rabbit is around 2.5 kilograms and It is a breed of delicate and calm rabbit but still has needs to exercise and socialize with people or other rabbits.To obtain information on the best care of your belier rabbit follow the advice of Animals and Pets Online although of course, who knows Your rabbit is better than anyone, it's you. Keep reading this article from Animals and Pets Online to know everything about Belier rabbit care and remember that all of this should be contrasted with what you observe in your particular rabbit, let's go there! A space for the Belier rabbit To start, if you have decided to adopt a belier rabbit, it is very important that you acquire a cage wide enough so that the rabbit can move freely and without distressing. Although it ...

Feline Calicivirus - Symptoms and Treatment

In Animals and Pets Online we want the best for your pet, That is why we try to cover all the diseases, ailments and behaviors that may be presented to your furry friend. On this occasion, we will talk about the feline calicivirus, symptoms and treatment , because this disease is very common among cats and can be dangerous for your cat if it is not detected in time. Always remember not to self-medicate your pet, go to the consultation with your veterinarian before any unusual symptoms or behavior, and give your little friend all the love, care and food he needs to be a strong, healthy and happy animal. What is feline calicivirus? It is a highly infectious disease that usually affects large colonies of felines, due to the ease with which the virus is transmitted.However, it can also appear among home cats. Calicivirus (FCV) is a type of feline flu .It manifests itself as an acute respiratory disease that affects the feline's upper pathways, causing sinusitis and rhin...

Poodle dog or medium poodle: features

The poodle or poodle is one of the best known dogs in worldwide, due to their elegance, intelligence and balanced character .According to the International Cinological Federation (FCI), poodle dogs are classified into four varieties according to their size: toy, dwarf, medium ( or standard) and giant.However, other cynological associations may have different criteria.For example, the American Kennel Club (AKC) only recognizes three varieties of poodle dogs according to their size: miniature standard and toy. If you are thinking of adopting a poodle or poodle dog, it is very important that you properly inform yourself about the character, temperament with other dogs, the characteristics and the care that this breed requires.In addition, we will also talk about training and education , very important details to have e No matter if we want a sociable and happy adult dog. Keep reading this breed form and find out all about the medium poodle or poodle : Poodle History This is one...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog