If a sow is pregnant...

**urockstar** · #1 01-03-08, 09:40 pm

I ranted on the other thread about not wanting to hear about how bad it is to buy from a store because I have already, that's that, what can I do. I love my pigs... BUT, as so many people point out about store buying, and I didn't notice this until very recently, it seems like my one pig might be pregnant. I have checked them both numerous times and they are definitely both girls, but I do believe it was quite possible that the one girl got pregnant at the store, even though the girl I talked to said they check all the pigs sexes.... and like someone else said, pershaps they were missexed before they even got to the store, you know, who knows. I have no idea if this girl of mine is for sure pregnant. I'm a little worried about it. She is much bigger than the other pig (even though the other one was apparently 2 weeks younger - maybe this is simply the reason) however her stomach does seem rather chubby and when I felt the lower stomach it did feel kind of firm.

I'm going to bring them both for checkups this upcoming week to confirm. In the meantime, I'm often picking my pigs up to get them out of their cage for playtime and laptime, but when I pick up my possibly-pregnant-but-hope-not pig, I wonder, if in fact she is pregnant, am I upsetting her stomach or the possible growing babies by handling her. Should a pregnant sow not be handled so much? I don't want to harm any possible growings inside of her. I can't seem to avoid practically lifting her from underneath the belly since it is a chubby one. I'll be crossing my fingers she's not pregnant, but something tells me... she probably is. (Because that's my luck, and what I get for buying from a store)

Can someone please give me some advice on this? And I know I saw a thread somewhere about this - if in fact she is pregnant, what kind of diet will she have to be on? Extra vitamin C, extra ___?

Lastly, will the other sow be fine if this one has babies? I know you would need to separate a male from the cage because they can get pregnant again right away, but another sow in the cage will not try to hurt or fight with the babies?

**Jenni_Feathers** · #2 01-03-08, 09:46 pm

I dont have any experience with pregnancy, but I do know that the pregnant sow should have alfalfa based pellets and alfalfa hay. Also that any males must be taken away from there mothers at 3 weeks or they will get them pregnant again. I'm not sure about the rest, you'll have to wait for some one else's answer. Oh and also be sure to baby proof the cage.

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #3 01-03-08, 09:48 pm

Here Guinea Lynx :: Reproduction You should try not to handle her so much as she gets closer to the end of her pregnant. Most pet store pigs are sold missexed, sick and/or pregnant. Chances are high she is pregnant but you will just have to wait it out unless you spring for an x ray or ultrasound. Gestation is 59-73 days.

I wouldn't trust anything the pet store tells you.

**urockstar** · #4 01-03-08, 10:28 pm

Yeah, this girl is definitely pregnant. Unless she has a second heartbeat on the left side of her stomach. Argh. Oh well, the C&C cage I make will be put to good use. The only annoying thing is if she has boys... which I'm sure she'll have at least one, to separate it's going to becoming annoying. I will need a whole other cage, and I know that's going to become a lot of work somehow. Can the C&C cage be divided somehow and still give adequate space?

I'm going to post some pictures of both pigs in a few min.

**Jenni_Feathers** · #5 01-03-08, 10:55 pm

Well, if she has only 1 boy, you could get him neutered to live with his mom and sisters. Or if there are 2 boys you can keep them together (for company) seperate from mom and sisters.

**urockstar** · #6 01-03-08, 11:01 pm

I'm kind of excited about it, I just want to make sure my pig (marley) makes it through okay, if she definitely is pregnant.

Sorry, have to ask again because I haven't found an answer to this anywhere... will I need to separate my other sow from the mom and babies or should it be fine to keep the two ladies together with the kids?

It's scary hearing that the birth is difficult for the mom's. I've watched a bunch of youtube videos of guinea pig births and it seems like they have them fairly easily. She was supposedly 8 weeks when I got her, so probably around 11-12 weeks now. Is this an okay age? She must be somewhat along in the pregnancy if I can feel kicking in her stomach. And that's got to be what I felt...

I think I'm bringing them both for checkups to the vet on Saturday. Problem is it's FREEZING outside - what can I do to make sure they don't get sick on the trip to the doctor? The box I keep them in should be fine since I'm only going from the house to the car, car to the doctor's office, right?

**krittercrazy** · #7 01-04-08, 12:20 am

There is no reason to remove your other sow. She will be like an aunt to the babies. If you are feeling movement now, she most likely has only a couple of weeks left. You will want to make sure to baby proof your cage - the babies can slip thru really small spaces or maybe get stuck. There is info here on how to baby proof, I just can't remember exactly where just now.

For going to the vet put plenty of hay for them to hide in. It will help keep them warm and you could put a towel over the box too. Hope all goes well.

**clotho** · #8 01-04-08, 05:50 am

http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/about-guinea-pigs/32827-can-i-have-advice-general.html

You could check out this thread - I recently addressed a lot of issues about pregnant sows there and it might help.

Just put some towels in the box so the piggies can burrow under them to keep warm on the trip to the vet.

No need to separate the other female.

You can pick up pregnant females - I just wouldn't do it more than you have to - just make sure to support the tummy very carefully. You can also herd her into a little box or hidey and then scoop her up in it.

Make sure you have a big enough cage.

Get yourself a digital scale to keep track of your piggies' weights - plus you will need it to keep track of the babies' weights as well to make sure they are thriving.

I won't say I told you so. I will say I am very disappointed that you knew better than to buy from a petstore but you did so anyways. I hope you will learn from this experience and stop trying to convince others that it's ok to buy from petstores.

**urockstar** · #9 01-04-08, 08:17 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by clotho

http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/about-guinea-pigs/32827-can-i-have-advice-general.html

You could check out this thread - I recently addressed a lot of issues about pregnant sows there and it might help.

Just put some towels in the box so the piggies can burrow under them to keep warm on the trip to the vet.

No need to separate the other female.

You can pick up pregnant females - I just wouldn't do it more than you have to - just make sure to support the tummy very carefully. You can also herd her into a little box or hidey and then scoop her up in it.

Make sure you have a big enough cage.

Get yourself a digital scale to keep track of your piggies' weights - plus you will need it to keep track of the babies' weights as well to make sure they are thriving.

I won't say I told you so. I will say I am very disappointed that you knew better than to buy from a petstore but you did so anyways. I hope you will learn from this experience and stop trying to convince others that it's ok to buy from petstores.

Thanks for the advice.

I certainly do not think it is okay to buy from a petstore. Honestly I just didn't think about "guinea pig mills" when I bought from the store. I am only really aware of puppy/cat mills, which I think is a much bigger issue. I suppose it was foolish, but I didn't know better with the smaller animals. Still, these animals have a heart as well and regardless of what ANYONE says on here, these pigs too needed a home and now they have one. I'm sorry to keep the cycle going. But because these pigs come from stores does that mean they are expendable? Terrible that they have to suffer to fight a cause. I guess that's just the way things are, huh.

**clotho** · #10 01-04-08, 09:16 am

I won't turn this into an argument. Your piggie is in trouble and needs help. When you seek advice to help her - you will receive the best help we can give. What's done is done.

I too bought my first piggie from a pet store before I knew any better. I wish I'd known!!! I learned from my mistakes and I don't make any excuses for what's happened in the past. You have your piggies now and you love them - we understand that - and we care too or we wouldn't try to help you.

I just hope you will take a long hard look at the situation of pet stores in general, and read over some of the threads here on it - I think it will open your eyes.

**urockstar** · #11 01-04-08, 09:23 am

Again, I know the dangers of pet stores but said I did not think about it with smaller animals. I don't know why I didn't think that there too would be guinea pig mills just as there are puppy mills. I appreciate any advice given but as you said what's done is done, let's not make people feel guilty every time the words pet store are mentioned.

**Biscuit** · #12 01-04-08, 08:04 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by urockstar

Again, I know the dangers of pet stores but said I did not think about it with smaller animals. I don't know why I didn't think that there too would be guinea pig mills just as there are puppy mills. I appreciate any advice given but as you said what's done is done, let's not make people feel guilty every time the words pet store are mentioned.

You so started it! =P

**Percy's Mom** · #13 01-04-08, 09:01 pm

On the subject of your pregnant sow, do you have even a rough idea of how old she is? The older a guinea pig is having a first litter, the harder it is for her pelvis to open enough for the pups to be born safely. With any cavy pregnancy, there is at least a 20-25% chance of something going wrong or even death to the sow. When you take her to the vet, please make sure you have read the links already provided you and ask the vet a lot of questions to make sure he or she knows about guinea pigs. Hopefully, your sow will be in the 75-80% that gets through pregnancy without any complications, but you definitely want to make sure your vet knows what he is doing. Most vets unfortunately have little or no training in exotics.

**urockstar** · #14 01-04-08, 09:12 pm

She is about 11 weeks now.

Can I have a link to that page of vet questions? Thanks a bunch.

I'm going to the vet not only for her but for Bean as well to get a check up and make sure no chance of URI or anything, and to get them both mite medication. What is it called that they should be getting for mite treatment? I don't know if they have mites, I don't think they do, but better safe than sorry, and I read it's okay to treat them for mites even if they don't have them, just to be on the safe side.

**Percy's Mom** · #15 01-05-08, 08:23 am

Your best bet is to go to Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig and look around. There is a wealth of information, and it is an easy site to navigate to find answers to just about any medical information you need. Ivermectin is what is most widely recommended for mite treatment. You can probably get it cheaper at a farm supply or horse supply store than from your vet.

Off topic for a second. During the first 10 minutes after you post, there will be an EDIT button at the bottom of your post. Please use this to add on or change your most recent post instead of posting multiple times back to back. Thanks.

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