PiggieAppeal
Member
Cavy Gazer
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2017
- Posts
- 3
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2017
- Messages
- 3
Hi Everyone,
I'm not new to general guinea pig owning but I have zero experience in the pregnancy aspect. Here is a bit of backstory.
My herd consisted of 4 female guinea pigs in a 4x6 cage. I came into contact with a much older lady who told me she had 4 guinea pigs as well that she loved very very much, she then explained to me that she would do anything for her pigs and that her pigs relied on her completely but that she was no longer physically fit to take proper care of these pigs, she looked to be in her 60s. I told her I could take on one more pig but that i could not take on all 4.
this should have been the first red flag.
she refused to show me the pigs but she described each to me, this was also when she mentioned that she had 2 sows and 2 boars. I assumed she meant she had a cage with the girls and a separate cage with the boys. I was wrong.
She delivered the pig the following day, I have since named the pig Patsy. and Patsy was HUGE! She is a white and brown pig but where she should have been white she was actually more of a grey colour with dirt, she was covered in dirt, had an awful smell, is missing fur, and is pee stained. she didn't look like a pig who belonged to someone who loved her. This was Red flag number 2.
The lady then went on to talk about how my cage wouldn't be suited to her boars because of their constant fighting, she said one was covered in scabs and blood from being attacked. Again another bad sign.
I took the opportunity to ask about HER current enclosure for her pigs which was when i finally got the truth. She had been keeping 2 sows and two boars together, outside in an old barn, with no fresh veg, and puppy pads lining an old stall. And then she said to me "I had actually purchased the two males in hopes of getting some babies, so if shes pregnant that's your problem now" and she left without another word.
So now here I am with this amazingly sweet little pig who looks like she has been suffering for a long time and I have no idea what to do. Iv'e read what feels like hundreds of threads on pregnant guinea pigs but here are my questions that I haven't been able to find the answers to.
1. What is the likely hood that she even is pregnant, can a stressed guinea pig get pregnant?
2. What are the chances that the babies will be stillborn? between her age and the stress she has been under i don't have high hopes
3. Will giving birth to still born babies be dangerous for her?
4. She is fitting in wonderfully with the herd, but should she be removed and put on her own?
5. What should I be looking out for?
6. Is there a safe at home way to determine if she really is even pregnant?
7. Will is be safe to Bathe Patsy?
I know this is a long post but I didn't want anyone thinking that I was an irresponsible backyard breeder. I love my pigs and I want to help Patsy as much as I can.
I'm not new to general guinea pig owning but I have zero experience in the pregnancy aspect. Here is a bit of backstory.
My herd consisted of 4 female guinea pigs in a 4x6 cage. I came into contact with a much older lady who told me she had 4 guinea pigs as well that she loved very very much, she then explained to me that she would do anything for her pigs and that her pigs relied on her completely but that she was no longer physically fit to take proper care of these pigs, she looked to be in her 60s. I told her I could take on one more pig but that i could not take on all 4.
this should have been the first red flag.
she refused to show me the pigs but she described each to me, this was also when she mentioned that she had 2 sows and 2 boars. I assumed she meant she had a cage with the girls and a separate cage with the boys. I was wrong.
She delivered the pig the following day, I have since named the pig Patsy. and Patsy was HUGE! She is a white and brown pig but where she should have been white she was actually more of a grey colour with dirt, she was covered in dirt, had an awful smell, is missing fur, and is pee stained. she didn't look like a pig who belonged to someone who loved her. This was Red flag number 2.
The lady then went on to talk about how my cage wouldn't be suited to her boars because of their constant fighting, she said one was covered in scabs and blood from being attacked. Again another bad sign.
I took the opportunity to ask about HER current enclosure for her pigs which was when i finally got the truth. She had been keeping 2 sows and two boars together, outside in an old barn, with no fresh veg, and puppy pads lining an old stall. And then she said to me "I had actually purchased the two males in hopes of getting some babies, so if shes pregnant that's your problem now" and she left without another word.
So now here I am with this amazingly sweet little pig who looks like she has been suffering for a long time and I have no idea what to do. Iv'e read what feels like hundreds of threads on pregnant guinea pigs but here are my questions that I haven't been able to find the answers to.
1. What is the likely hood that she even is pregnant, can a stressed guinea pig get pregnant?
2. What are the chances that the babies will be stillborn? between her age and the stress she has been under i don't have high hopes
3. Will giving birth to still born babies be dangerous for her?
4. She is fitting in wonderfully with the herd, but should she be removed and put on her own?
5. What should I be looking out for?
6. Is there a safe at home way to determine if she really is even pregnant?
7. Will is be safe to Bathe Patsy?
I know this is a long post but I didn't want anyone thinking that I was an irresponsible backyard breeder. I love my pigs and I want to help Patsy as much as I can.
