Just got two pigs from a family...pretty sure one is pregnant.

[MegKem]

I got two guinea pigs from a family that was not longer able to care for them. They told me they were both females, so I didn't really question them being in the cage together when I arrived to pick them up. After getting them home and getting my hands on them, the "fatty" as they call her, appeared a little more than just fat. I quickly looked up how to sex guinea pigs, and am positive, without a doubt, that I have a male and a female guinea pig on my hands.

I have separated them, and have been watching the female for a week now. Today, while she was eating I could see some odd movement going on in her overly large belly, so I am at about 98% that we are expecting babies. My initial thoughts were not to worry about it...as a kid my parents got me a female piggy who was pregnant, and she had her babies with no complications. Then I looked up some info about cavy pregnancy...I am now officially terrified for this poor girl.

I will add some pictures to this post in a few minutes, have to dig out my camera.

[Kota12]

If you feel movement and see the pups kicking the she might be due in 1-2 weeks.

[madelineelaine]

how old is she?

[MegKem]

Not sure of an age on either of them. When we asked they told us several different answers ranging from 8 to 16 months. The two of them couldn't agree on how old she was when they got her, but they said they have had the female for about 6 months and the one that is actually a male for only a month or so.

Here are pictures of her big belly!

[Kota12]

Oh, she is a really big sow! (Her belly)

[mommmyof2]

She's very cute. She looks like my Oreo a bit. She is big. though. If you are able to see and feel the babies moving, there's a very good chance she's due with the next 7 to 10 days or less. Don't know when you started to feel or see the movement. Good luck with her and the babies. I hope all goes well and don't forget to post some pigtures of the babies.

[bpatters]

Welcome to the forum!

Since you don't know how old she is, line up an exotic vet in case she has trouble delivering. The pelvic ligaments stiffen at about 9 months of age, making it difficult for the pelvic bones to separate during delivery. If she has several pups, she'll likely be ok, but one large pup could be trouble.

Don't handle her any more than you have to -- she's miserable with that big belly.

She needs the same food pups do -- extra calcium, either through pellets, or parsley, or alfalfa added to her regular hay.

Keep us posted on how she's doing.

[MegKem]

I just noticed the movement for sure today, but she is still pretty frightened of me so it has been hard up until today to get her to hold still for long. Today I took the hut out of her cage and then fed her and just sat next to the cage. She watched me closely, but settled down and ate, then came over to investigate me. It was while she was eating that I could see movement in the belly. I don't want to stress her out, so I haven't attempted to feel for movements yet.

Here is the cage they sent them both in...I am hoping she will be okay in it until we can upgrade (2 weeks). Coat hanger is there for a size reference, and the hut my husband put together for her, since she had no where to hide. Don't know what the wood hanging on the cage was for, I assume they put it up for them to chew on, but no idea. I just left it alone!

Right now I have separated the boar (Blaster) but it's just a temporary solution. Obviously I don't want to put Blaster and Cherry back together after the babies come, so I am wondering if this cage would be okay for just him? I don't think it is big enough for two adults, but just wondering if this would be okay for him once we can move Cherry and babies to something bigger.

[mommmyof2]

You should look into a getting a C&C Cage. those are the best cages to have them in and most recommended as well. Just need some grids, cable ties or connectors and some coroplast.

You can buy all of those things on here.
Here's the link for you to look into it.- https://www.guineapigzone.com/c-and-c-cages-guinea-pigs

Here's a link to show you the required cage sizes for the amount of piggies you have- http://www.guineapigcages.com/

And this one tells you how many grids you will need for each size cage and also how to build them- http://www.guineapigcages.com/howto.htm

Good luck with them and keep us posted on the babies and mom and dad

[bpatters]

You could drape a couple of small towels in the corners for her to have somewhere to hide while she gets acclimated to things.

That cage really isn't large enough for a boar, but will do temporarily while you figure out something else. You're wise to separate them, because she can be bred again immediately after the babies come, and that's very hard on a sow. Since she's so close to giving birth, it's better to have him out of the cage.

Is there a possibility you could have him neutered so they could all go back in together later? Assuming the pups are females, of course. If not, you can put the boys with dad and the girls with mom.

[MegKem]

I hadn't considered neutering him, we could probably do that. I am going to definitly look into that, assuming there is a vet on island that will do it confidently.

Thanks for the links! I am wondering though, do the lids for those cages latch on somehow? We keep the dogs and kids out of the pigs room now, but a bigger cage will likely have to move downstairs where the kids and dogs would be hard to restrict from the cage. They look great, but I wouldn't want any accidents to occur! If they don't latch, my husband will probably just build something himself, but that is a little scary sometimes!

[mufasa]

I'm actually researching tops for C&C cages myself since I have cats, and it looks like closet shelving is really good for making lids. Good luck with the babies!

[mommmyof2]

I hadn't considered neutering him, we could probably do that. I am going to definitly look into that, assuming there is a vet on island that will do it confidently.

Thanks for the links! I am wondering though, do the lids for those cages latch on somehow? We keep the dogs and kids out of the pigs room now, but a bigger cage will likely have to move downstairs where the kids and dogs would be hard to restrict from the cage. They look great, but I wouldn't want any accidents to occur! If they don't latch, my husband will probably just build something himself, but that is a little scary sometimes!

You're welcome. Yea you can use cable ties to attach them on the cage on one side. But you most likely wouldn't need a lid unless you have other animals or young children. I didn't have a lid on mine and my piggies were just fine.

[MegKem]

I am thinking maybe some bungee cords to hold the lids on? We have two toddlers so we would need to secure the lid when we aren't watching.

[mommmyof2]

I am thinking maybe some bungee cords to hold the lids on? We have two toddlers so we would need to secure the lid when we aren't watching.

I never tried that. So I don't know. But it may work. Just get thin bungee cords and not the thick ones

[NarwhalsRock]

I personally wouldn't bungee cord it as a hinge. If you cable tie the lid to the wall that the hinge is on, the cable ties will allow the shelving to move up and down. For my cage, I put a cable tie on the last grid on each side, and one in the middle. You might want to use a bungee cord to secure it when it's up. If you get a hook, you can drill it into the wall, and use the bungee cord to attach it to the hook when you open it.

My, that sow is PREGNANT! She looks obviously pregnant. Unless she is about 3 pounds overweight! Hope the delivery goes smoothly, and all the pups are happy and healthy!

[MegKem]

Thanks for the tips.

Yes, a week ago they said "oh she is just fat, they're both females." I figured otherwise, which is why we sexed and separated them.

In 2 weeks we will be ordering a 2x4 c&c. I am sure we will figure out a way to fashion the lid so the kids can't get into it. If not we'll have to shuffle the house around to give them a space the kids can't access without help.

[schavarry]

I am thinking maybe some bungee cords to hold the lids on? We have two toddlers so we would need to secure the lid when we aren't watching.

I have cheap set of combo locks for the door on the lower leve of my cage to keep my 4 year old from opening it, I'm guessing that might work better than bungee cords...Here are some pics so you can see what I mean:




Like Mufasa said, closet shelving is supposed to work really well...Here are some pictures of cages with lids to help you get some ideas: Closed Cages - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

Also, if your piggy is pregnant, as I suspect she is, and you're making a C&C cage for her, you need to baby proof her cage. Baby Proofing - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

[MegKem]

I love the lock idea...we will see. My husband is gone for a few days, but I will be showing him all of this as soon as he gets home and see where we will go. I looked at what I could find on island at 3 different stores, and found nothing but jokes! Almost $200 for a smaller cage than I already have. I couldn't believe it! Anyway, we will very likely be ordering c&c next pay!

Thanks everyone for all the ideas!

[MegKem]

I just wanted to add to all of this, I did find 2 separate vets that specialize in cavy care, and have contacted them via email. I programmed their phone numbers into my cell in case Cherry has any issues (and if she does at night, our regular vet is a 24 hour emergency place, so I will be calling in the morning to let them know the situation too). I also asked for a price quote to get Blaster neutered so that he could go back with Cherry after the babies are removed and we won't have to go through this again!

I got some leads on where to find c&c on island, so I will be investigating tomorrow in hopes of getting it a bigger cage before the babies come!