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

The paratrooper cat syndrome

We have always seen cats as great balancers, agile, fast and very clever, both We say that they have 7 lives, but the fact is that their strategies do not always work out well, they have calculation errors, impulses that are difficult to control, among other factors, and sometimes flight, persecution or play go wrong and end up in an accident.. Did you know that there is a feline syndrome known as the parachute cat syndrome? A priori it may sound funny to us, but it is a problem that should concern those who have a domestic cat in their lives, especially if they live in tall buildings, precisely because of these natural mistakes they can make. Read on This new article from Animals and Pets Online to discover what the parachute cat syndrome is about and how to act in case it occurs. What is the parachute cat syndrome This syndrome, also known under the name of the flying cat syndrome, deals with the domestic accident that cats most commonly suffer and that falls from great heig...

10 breeds of water dogs

The breeds of water dogs form a large and diversified family of medium sized dogs that stand out for having a woolly and/or curly mantle, active behavior and remarkable vocation for aquatic activities.Historically, these dogs were associated with the fishing and small game , serving mainly as bird collectors and small aquatic mammals. Subsequently, due to their energy temperament, versatility and predisposition to training, water dogs managed to adapt easily to other activities and canine sports, but also they became very appreciated company dogs, despite their slightly independent character. If you are thinking of adopting a water dog or you like to know more about the history of the different dog breeds known today, you have arrived at the pagi na ideal.In this article of Animals and Pets Online, we invite you to learn more about the 10 breeds of water dogs most famous around the world.Do not miss them! 1. Caniche or poodle Standing out as one of the most intelligent do...

Why adopt a stray dog?

There are millions of abandoned dogs on the streets around the world, and decrease the The number seems to be very complicated, especially because of the easy reproduction of the canines and the irresponsibility of many people. In Animals and Pets Online we know that this is a serious problem that must be solved, so we want to contribute to create awareness about animal abandonment.If you've ever wondered why adopt a stray dog, here are 10 reasons to do it . 1.You learn responsibility Rescuing a stray dog or adopting it in a shelter is a decision that should not be taken lightly, and that commits you to the rest of the animal's life .that is why adoption will help you to be more responsible, by having another living being in your care that is completely up to you . 2.Save two lives Millions of dogs are slaughtered in shelters due to overpopulation, while those who remain on the streets lead a life of fear, hunger, cold and physical abuse.Look at them to see the sa...

Native animals of Chile - Discover the 10 most representative!

Chile is a country of America of the South with varied ecosystems: the Pacific Ocean coast, the rugged and snow-capped mountain range of the Andes, the Atacama desert, the ice of the Antarctic region are some of them.With such different geographical accidents, it is not uncommon for the fauna and flora are also diverse. If you are interested in knowing which species are hidden in these lands, then you cannot miss this article of Animals and Pets Online on native animals of Chile .Keep reading! Animals of the southern zone of Chile: monkey The Dromiciops gliroides , also called mountain monkey or colocolo is a marsupial that inhabits the coastal areas of the Maule region, has a brown coat Of course, bulging eyes and long ears and teeth.It feeds mainly on fruits, seeds and insects.It is a very clever animal with its legs , which allows it to obtain food in an easier way and tree climbing to escape predators.The mountain monkey lives alone, meets in flocks of a maximum of th...

Ovoviviparos animals - Examples and curiosities

It is estimated that there are around two million species of species in the world Animals .Some of us, like dogs or cats, can be seen almost daily in our cities and we know a lot of data about them, but there are less common animals that are full of curiosities. This is the case of ovoviviparos animals, which have a truly strange form of reproduction and many have curious and unusual characteristics. If you are interested in animals and want to discover some unusual data, here, in Animals and Pets Online, we give some examples of ovoviviparos animals and curiosities concerning them. What are ovoviviparos animals? Oviparous animals, such as birds and many reptiles, reproduce by eggs that the females deposit in the environment (in a process known as "laying"), and after a period of incubation, these eggs hatching out of them and starting a new life abroad. In viviparous animals, which are the majority of mammals, such as dogs or humans, embryos develop inside the mo...

Gingivitis in cats

The cat is one of the domestic mammals with fewer teeth: it is 30, and like other mammals lose their deciduous teeth between 4 and 6 months.The health of the cat's mouth is paramount since it uses its mouth to hunt, do its cleaning and the most vital: feed. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums and is a common problem in cats, but if not treated properly it can get worse.Gingivitis can affect cats of all ages but occurs more frequently in young or young adults. This article of Animals and Pets Online we will tell you how to recognize gingivitis in cats and how to act against feline gingivitis. Recognize a gingivitis: symptoms of gingivitis in the cat The first thing to help a cat with gingivitis is to identify the problem: a gingivitis usually starts with a thin red line along the gums and they look swollen and red gums.A cat with gingivitis You will suffer pain and you can eat less especially refuse to eat dry feed because this type of feed is hard and causes more ...

Tricks to prevent a cat from entering your garden

If your neighbor's cat has a habit of using your garden for different purposes, it will be very difficult to throw it out in a friendly way.The cat considers that your bed is a comfortable area where you can do your needs or leave a dead bird as a gift. If you are fed up, the best option would be to try to use natural repellents easy to apply and harmless to prevent the cat from entering the garden : Water : Cats are not exactly friends with water.Installing sprinklers or watering your garden will usually cause displeasure.In the market you can even find electronic devices with motion sensors that throw jets of water. Citricos : Citrus odors such as lemon or orange are especially uncomfortable for cats.Avoid entering your garden by filling in a spray can with the juice of these fruits, you can also leave the husks in the areas that usually use changing every 2 or 3 days. Caution with food : If you suspect that you go to your home in search of food, seal the bags of t...

Characteristics of black cats

While black cats have been victims of a bad reputation for centuries , nowadays almost no one has them stigmatized and today they enjoy a good reputation in many homes because they are mininos with a mysterious character and a very special personality . The characteristics of black cats are not few and in this article of ExpertAnimal you will be able to discover them, but not before having a little more information about the widespread belief that black cats are associated with bad luck.So widespread is this legend that these felines are the least in demand when adopting a cat for no reason. Whether you already have a black cat or are interested in adopting one, don't be superstitious and encourage you to read all the good virtues and characteristics of black cats .If you will realize how special they are and how they love to receive love and love, like all living things. Black cats throughout history The belief that black cats bring bad luck is the result of a bad and l...

How to teach my dog to run with me

Why get fit with your dog? Currently, due to lack of time, overwork or other excuses that are usually valid, we don't have enough time to exercise all days.If this happens with us, what do you think happens with your dog? The same or worse, since sometimes they depend on us to go out to exercise.It may also happen that food is not the most suitable, then we dangerously approach obesity .We should avoid a sedentary lifestyle In our dog, it is essential for your health. If your dog seems to have gained weight, ask yourself...Does he exercise? How many times does he go out every day? What does he eat? We must answer all these questions and begin to rethink how we care for our dogs and what we do to improve their quality of life . The age of the dog, a very important factor Assessing the age of a dog when it comes to exercise is essential.It is recommended to wait from 9 to 12 months to start running with it.Until now, we can buy what is necessary and to teach him signs ab...

15 pollinating animals - Characteristics and examples

What is pollination? Reproduction of most plant species occurs sexually, that is, it requires the union of female and male cells for fertilization .Cells are found in pollen (male), so it needs to be transferred to the flower pistil (female), where fertilization occurs and, after this process, the flower becomes a fruit with seeds. So, when we talk about the reproduction of plants, the intervention of a third party is often required, which is known as " pollinator " to do it possible. These pollinating agents can be insects, other animals and even natural elements such as water and wind.In the case of animal species, they have found a balance with the flora and evolved together, so that plants have been able to produce flowers of different aromas, shapes and colors in order to attract pollinating agents to feed on the nectar. When animals feed on the nectar, transport pollen involuntarily on their legs, wings or another part of the body.When covered with polle...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog