Possibly Pregnant Is my baby pregnant? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

Tanbai · #1 10-31-09, 11:10 pm

Hello, I'm sort of new here but I felt this was the best place to come to awnser this question.

I got my sweet little girl, Abbey, from an okay pet shop around the corner from my house. Now, this place I think was going out of business but I'm not quite sure. I dragged my father in to look at the animals and whatnot but she caught my eye. I also noticed that all the guinea pigs were quiet and inactive. Then I noticed the pine bedding, but that isn't what I was getting at. What I'm getting at is that they had the males in the separate cage above her and her alone. I got her for $20 bucks and she seemed fine when i got her home. Now, she's getting more active. But, my concern is that I don't know how old she is -my guess is 2-4 months but I'm not sure-. I've had her for a month and her tummy is getting a bit more tight/squishy. I'm not even sure if she had a cage mate before then. So I ask, if you can tell, is she pregnant? I don't want to go to my mom because she'll blame it on me whatever I say and she'll also get it in my head my guinea pig is going to die. Even if my mom has had a female and had a litter, I don't want to get yelled at. And I don't want to waste $20-30 bucks going to the vet if nothing comes out of it. I'm confused. I've only ever had males and she is my first female.
Added info:

Her tummy is squishy but she doesn't like me poking at her.
She enjoys running around her cage.
She loves her H2O and barely touches her food.
She hides in her house whenever i come in the room yet i play with her all the time.
While she has been with me, for the past month, she has not come in contact with any males, but that doesn't mean that in her past she hasn't.
-I'll get a photo and put it here for reference ASAP.
I didn't adopt her out of pity, I got her so she could talk to my other guinea pig -Jasper, a male of almost 2 years- from her cage beside his. It was not pity in any way, unless you consider me pitying my other guinea pig for being lonely?

Thanks in advance

**Paula** · #2 10-31-09, 11:22 pm

It's possible - even quite likely - that she is pregnant. Also that she's sick. Pet store pigs quite often are, unfortunately, which is why we strongly suggest not to buy an animal from a pet store as you have but adopt instead.

Now, as for your question, unless she's pretty far along it's going to be hard to tell if she's pregnant, unless you take her in for an ultrasound. Is she gaining weight?

Tanbai · #3 10-31-09, 11:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paula

It's possible - even quite likely - that she is pregnant. Also that she's sick. Pet store pigs quite often are, unfortunately, which is why we strongly suggest not to buy an animal from a pet store as you have but adopt instead.

Now, as for your question, unless she's pretty far along it's going to be hard to tell if she's pregnant, unless you take her in for an ultrasound. Is she gaining weight?

I'm not sure, and since my other one is ,sadly, overweight, I cannot judge from him. Also, there's the fact that the males weigh more than the females. What could possibly be wrong with her besides maybe being pregnant? And if she is pregnant, is she going to be okay being so tiny and all?

**Paula** · #4 10-31-09, 11:30 pm

You'll want to get a scale - a kitchen scale from Target or WalMart will be fine - to weigh your pigs weekly. Not just for the one on pregnancy watch, but the others too. Here's why.

She might have a URI, mites or lice, be malnourished, or any number of other things. The fact that you've had her a month with (I assume) no symptoms of any is a good sign, though it doesn't mean you shouldn't watch for these things.

If she is pregnant you're going to need a good vet, who is experienced with guinea pigs, particularly if she's very young herself.

Tanbai · #5 10-31-09, 11:34 pm

How much do kitchen scales cost? And should I jsut make an appointment at the banfield hospital? There's a guinea pig specialist with two of the closest ones to my house. But I'm not sure. Is there any chance of her not being pregnant? With percentages?

**Paula** · #6 10-31-09, 11:40 pm

You can get them for $10-$20, possibly even under ten bucks depending on where you shop.

I'd really be sure to take her to an exotics vet with lots of experience. Most vets don't have much experience with guinea pigs or other exotics. This is a good vet list and members here might be able to suggest a vet or vets in your area, depending on your location.

There is of course a chance she's not pregnant - it just depends on whether or not she was housed with a male before you got her. Here is a good link on pregnancy.

**vicky2** · #7 11-01-09, 07:07 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanbai

I'm not sure, and since my other one is ,sadly, overweight, I cannot judge from him.

Just a thought, are you housing her in the same cage as him?

**Seonta** · #8 11-01-09, 07:14 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanbai

I got my sweet little girl, Abbey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanbai

I'm not sure, and since my other one is ,sadly, overweight, I cannot judge from him.

It sounds like you already have a male and a female, which means even if you didn't get her pregnant, if the male isn't fixed then yes she probably is pregnant if she lives with him. If the other one is a female and is overweight than that one could be pregnant too.

edit: Looks like my mindset was on the same path as Vicky.

**twiztedlilfae** · #9 11-01-09, 09:10 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanbai

I didn't adopt her out of pity, I got her so she could talk to my other guinea pig -Jasper, a male of almost 2 years- from her cage beside his. It was not pity in any way, unless you consider me pitying my other guinea pig for being lonely?

To the people asking if they're housed in the same house, she says in her first post that they are in separate cages. His cage is beside hers.

I hope for your peace of mind that she isn't. And that it's normal weight gain because she's young. I know I was scared for awhile for my guinea pigs because they where with a male when I got home and didn't realize it (I was away at summer school), and I thought for sure that they were pregnant. But thankfully they weren't. You can pick up a 7lb scale at walmart for $5. It's not as accurate as say a digital one but it gets the job done.

**JD In Van** · #10 11-01-09, 09:33 am

Even if they're housed side by side be VERY careful. A male will do just about anything to get to a female in heat. Have you considered fixing him so they can live together?

Tanbai · #11 11-01-09, 01:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD In Van

Even if they're housed side by side be VERY careful. A male will do just about anything to get to a female in heat. Have you considered fixing him so they can live together?

I've considered it but I read somewhere that getting them fixed isn't exactly safe either?

**Paula** · #12 11-01-09, 01:28 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tanbai

I've considered it but I read somewhere that getting them fixed isn't exactly safe either?

Safer and better than having a pregnant pig on your hands.

If you go to a vet experienced with guinea pigs, the risk is less, and would probably be the best way to go if you think you'll ever want to house them together.

Tanbai · #13 11-01-09, 01:38 pm

This is abbey, the one in question. this is the best picture i couldget with my webcam.

**vicky2** · #14 11-01-09, 01:59 pm

It's hard to tell from the picture.
If the vet is 105% sure she's pregnant, go with the vet since they saw her in person.

Tanbai · #15 11-01-09, 02:00 pm

She hasn't been to the vet, but I'm considering making an appointment for either today or next saturday since i can't ge there until then.

**leyley904** · #16 11-01-09, 03:33 pm

Its a possibility that she is just gaining a little weight. Pet stores don't usually feed the guinea pigs as much as good owners do. I hope, for you and Abbey's sake, that she isn't pregnant. Best of luck!

"Thank you, JD In Van, for this useful post," says:
juliaaa (11-01-09)