Pregnant?

**Erynn** · #1 12-15-05, 06:18 pm

I got my piggy from the local SPCA 6 weeks ago. She is female and I have confirmed that. Lately she has been less active and grumpier than usual, so I have let her have her space. I have noticed that her poops production has gone up and so has her intake of water. It is about triple her usual amount, about 200mL in a day. She has been finicky about eating and today when I handled her I noticed her stomach was hard. Not rock hard but solid like there was something in it. I have bread dogs before and it is the same sort of feeling in her stomach. I know about the risks of a sow giving birth after 6 months if she hasn't had a litter before, BUT I know nothing about her past. The shelter said the other family had allergies and had to get rid of her. But she bit if you touched her, her nails were disgustingly long and she was under weight and frail. Is there any outward signs that she may have had a litter before so I would be able to tell. The closest vet that would be qualified to do a C-section is one and a half hours away. Thanks for your help.

**fourbwabbys** · #2 12-15-05, 06:37 pm

Take her to the vet. It may be pregnancy or it may be a sickness. It's best to bring her to an exotics vet to be sure.

**Ly&Pigs** · #3 12-15-05, 08:50 pm

If she's around 6 weeks pregnant or more, you should be able to feel the pups moving around and kicking inside of her. There aren't really any outward visible signs to tell except for a very distinct pear shape. Some sows don't get that during pregnancy though.

**Erynn** · #4 12-16-05, 12:49 pm

she is very pear shaped I called it bowling pin shaped when she stands on her hind feet only. There are two distinct 'lumps' on either side of her stomach. Not tumor like lumps just well it is hard to explain. I have no idea if she has given birth before but it seems to me that her whole hind quarters has widend could this be a widening of the hips? Her hips and stomach are an inch maybe an inch and a half wider than her shoulders and they were about the same width weeks ago. Is this a good sign? Also she has started eating more than usual, alot more. I have also noticed that she is not as active as before. She will still interact and go after food when out and being hand fed but in her enclosure she just sits on her bed and brings the food back to her bed then gets comfortable and then eats it. Also if she has two pups does that mean it might not be her first birth. I am really hoping, everyone loves her so much. One last question I heard giving her bread soaked in warm milk would help with milk production and other things is that true and any other things that I can do. She gets pellets, timothy hay, veggies, vitamin suppliment, and alphalph squares(these are sparingly) and of course water. Thanks for your help.

**Percy's Mom** · #5 12-16-05, 12:55 pm

If she is pregnant, the alfalfa is good for her. She'll need alfalfa and alfalfa pellets in addition to her regular hay while she's pregnant and nursing, and the pups will need both until they are about 6 months old. Don't do the milk soaked bread. Cavies are lactose intolerant. From your description, I'd say she sounds pregnant, but you should probably get her to a vet to make certain.

**Ly&Pigs** · #6 12-16-05, 02:26 pm

I wouldn't give milk soaked bread. Giving lots of good veggies and unlimited hay will help with milk production. It sounds as though she may be pregnant, but many pregnant cavies have complications. I would line up a cavy savvy vet if she is so that if any emergencies arise, you can get straight to the vet.

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