Malnurished Pregnant Cavy

[Roslyn82]

Can someone please help me, i bought a cavy from the pet store, get home and its been a few days, its badly malnurished and i new discover is pregnant also. about 6weeks along as best we can figure. I really need help to get her healthy in time for the birth.

All suggestions welcome

[pigsforlife]

You need to get her to the vet pronto.

In the meantime be sure she is getting plenty of good quality pellets (such as oxbow, kleenmamas hayloft or mazurri 5664), unlimited amounts of grass hay and supplement this with alfalfa hay and plenty of fresh produce, particularly leafy greens. In addition to the fresh produce you may want to supplement her diet with some plain vitamin c tablets which you can get at your local chemist (or through Oxbow). No vitamin c drops in her water.

She needs to be in a cage at least 7.5sq ft, although bigger is better. No wheels, harnesses, leashes or balls.

If you have any questions please ask.

[Wheek Weak]

Ditto everything pigsforlife stated.

Alfalfa is important, along with lots of fresh water. Pregnant sows drink a lot of water. Ruby was going through an 8-ounce bottle in 8 hours. We had to buy her a larger bottle to make sure she didn't run out!

Also (although this has nothing to do with nutrition), be careful handling her as her belly gets bigger. You will need to weigh her daily to make sure she's gaining weight. Use a small cardboard box (or something similar) to lift her out to weigh her, clean her cage, etc.

[Ly&Pigs]

Alfalfa isn't really essential as long as you are providing a higher calcium diet. If you do it through veggies, you wouldn't need alfalfa.

[Lucy Topanga]

I agree with everything above.

But also love her and try to comfort her. This might be a scary time for her with the changes in her body, plus coming to a new home. It sounds like you have things under control though. I am glad you got her because it sounds like you truly care about her well being.

Good luck