New Moma and alot to learn

[ap&babies]

My daughter(11 years old) and I adopted a female about a month ago from a pet store and we had no idea she was pregnant.I woke up this morning to a new baby and in a few minutes there were 4 of them,I freaked out.I called the pet store and they said the mom would take care of them so that helped alot.I have got most of my care info from the pet store but after reading things around here,I am confused. So many things are contraversal to what they have told me to do. One,I was told to put vitamins in her water. Second,I wasn't told much about feeding her fruits and veggies and have not done that like I should have, I am sure now.I also bought a food mix,and asked about it before buying,that has nuts and seeds in it.I need alot of advise now.Do I forget everything they tell me and do alot of reading on this forum? Do I buy a book? Do I ask alot of questions? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!

[fairysari]

Welcome to the forum!

It doesn't sound like you have received any good advice from the pet store really. Most books don't tend to be much better. This site, and Guinea Lynx :: A Medical and Care Guide for Your Guinea Pig are good places to start reading.

The vitamin C in the water degrades quickly, and can leave an unappealing taste in the water. A cup of fresh vegetables a day should provide your pig with their vitamin C requirement.

The nuts and seeds are really too fatty for guinea pigs, and the shells can pose a chocking hazard, or get stuck on teeth. A plain pellet such as Oxbow or Kleenmama's is much better.

Make sure you separate any male babies at 21 days. They can impregnate sows after this.

Feel free to ask lots of questions! I hope you learn a lot

[ap&babies]

Okay,I already have a question.I went today and bought the things I think I need to take care of her and the babies right. I read on this forum,I believe,to give her half of a vitamin c tablet.Now I can't find anything about this.I bought several kinds of veggies and fruits to feed her.Do I need to use a vitamin c supplement since she has only been getting the vitamins in her water and not many veggies or just start now making sure she has plenty fresh veggies and forget the supplement?
Thanks for help!!
Alison

[fourbwabbys]

You don't really need a vitamin C supplement if they're getting proper veggies. Extra vitamin C is ok if they're sick or have a medical condition that needs their vitamin C upped.

[raynerika]

Here are some vegies and fruits that are high in Vita C.
Red Peppers 190.0mg
Parsley 133.0 mg.
Kale 120.0 mg
Kiwi 98.0 mg
Papaya 61.8 mg
These areVit C per 100 grams..

Also Alfalfa based pellets are higher in Vitamin C as is the Alfalfa Hay. Which are very important for the Momma and her babies to have..

Enjoy your babies and best of luck with them also. Hope the Momma pigger is doing fine also..

[ap&babies]

Well she is eating veggies better now.I have been offering her green leaf lettuce,cilantro,red peppers,carrots,strawberries,apples,and cherry tomatoes.So far she is eating everything after some time so I am very excited about her progress.The babies are eating alot too.I am giving the alfalfa pellets and hay also.

[raynerika]

Originally Posted by ap&babies

Well she is eating veggies better now.I have been offering her green leaf lettuce,cilantro,red peppers,carrots,strawberries,apples,and cherry tomatoes.So far she is eating everything after some time so I am very excited about her progress.The babies are eating alot too.I am giving the alfalfa pellets and hay also.

Seems like you are feeding all the right things, I'm sure all will be just fine.
Enjoy!!!!

[Slave to the Wheek]

Good Job on the research!

The same EXACT thing happened to me. They even sold me a lousy "exercise ball" along with it all. The only good thing they said was no cedar chips..but they weren't sure about that.

Thank goodness for this site, and Cavy Spirit, Cavy Madness, Guinea Lynx! Best sites on the web! If it weren't for this team my poor little pig would be one sad little guy! Now he lives in a giant 2 story cage and has a buddy and lives high on veggies and unlimited hay. Here's hoping my boys live to be 10 years or longer even having such a healthy start in life! I sure love the little buggers.

You'll find most advice here pretty consistent, as most agree on the important stuff.

Your likely going to find the mom has at minimum lice, and maybe mites as well. I took my boy to the vet for his wellness check after 3 weeks and found out that having no ears isn't common. Apparently the stressed out mother of a pet store breeder chewed his ears off completely when he was a baby. He also had lice. As a new owner, there is so much to learn. So hang in there. Eventually after a month or two it'll all fall into place.

What are you going to do with your babies?

[ap&babies]

We are not sure about the babies.The females we will definately keep with the momma and my hubby is wanting to keep the males too so we may just add another level and keep them all,who knows.I see already that 5 piggies sure can eat alot so we will have to see if we can hadle that many.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Are you feeding hay? They need hay at all times. Don't listen to anything the pet store tells you.

[ap&babies]

Yes,I am giving them KM hay.