Pregnant Pig Questions

[Eventrocker33]

I am still not sure weather Tutu is pregnant or just fat. I found my Nana's old kitchen scale today (it is not accurate but it gives me an idea). Peanut weighed about 1 lb 14 ounces and Tutu was 2lb 8 ounces. What is the average weight for a pregnant guinea pig? I am not sure if I felt movement or not but her belly looks so much bigger than Peanut's. Does anyone have a picture of a pregnant pig's belly. Thanks

 

[piggielover92]

If you go to my website (www.freewebs.com/katesguineapigs) and visit the "WebAlbum", the first picture is of my sow in late pregnancy. Hope that helps!

 

[Slap Maxwell]

There really is no "average weight". Just weigh her everyday and look for increase. Feel for babies, or bring her to the vet.

 

[Eventrocker33]

Here is a picture from today...

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Call the shelter and ask how long they have had her, and if she came in with any males.

 

[piggielover92]

Wow! She does look pretty big!

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Looks pretty normal to me. I have two females that look that way.

 

[Eventrocker33]

The rescue had her for a month and I have had her for 2 1/2 weeks. What would a pregnant pigs belly look like?(nipples..etc)

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Here are two non-pregnant sows of mine for comparison.

 

[kat_0521]

In my experience, (and after to talking to one of the mods), the shape of your piggie doesn't really determine whether or not she's pregnant. If she's only having one or two pups, you probably wouldn't know anything is different with her until she's had them.
About 2-3 weeks before she delivers, you should be able to feel the pups moving around inside her. Also, about this same time, you can start to gently press on her tummy. If it is firm-feeling, then she is pregnant. If it's rather "squishy", then she's just chubby. The best thing you can do is weigh her daily or every other day....and wait and see.
Good luck!

 

[suzy_99]

I have to agree that size cannot really be a determining factor when it comes to pregnancy. I bought a pregnant piggy before I knew better and I did not even know that she was pregnant until about 1 1/2 weeks before she had her babies. She only had two, so I am assuming that is why she never really got big. On the other hand, I have a sow who weighs about 3lbs and I know for certain that she is not pregnant.

 

[piggielover92]

We definatly knew when my Butterscotch was pregnant! She got huge! Usually, they are pear shaped and you will be able to feel the babies kick soon before they are delivered.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

She just looks like a nice plump Aby to me.

 

[Eventrocker33]

The past couple of days Tutu has been pulling up her fleece and shredding her newspaper. Does this mean she wants something to do or is she making a nest to have babies in? Do guinea pigs even make nests when having babies? It seems like all she is doing is eating and shredding newspaper.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Guinea pigs do not make nests. Mine always shred newspaper.

 

[VoodooJoint]

^^ yup what Slap said. ^^

It could just be nervous energy. Your mom-to-be probably knows that the time is nearing and is jittery. She may be shredding the newspaper to have something to do.

Help her out and give her some cardboard to chew on and maybe some balled up newspaper to tussle with and shred. It should keep her active which is necessary to keep her healthy and give her things to help take her mind off her body.

 

[Eventrocker33]

Well I felt Tutu's stomach area just a few minutes ago. It seems firm yet I am not sure because sometimes it seems squishy. Peanut is firm just because she isn't fat. I also listened to both girls stomachs. Peanut was quiet with some normal gut sounds, but when I listened to Tutu's I heard some weird sounds and she wouldn't stop talking because when I touch her stomach she sqeaks like she is in pain.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Maia (the abby in the above pic) has a sensitive stomach as well, she dosn't like me touching it.

If you want confirmation, go to a vet.

 

[Eventrocker33]

Well I know that my mom doesn't want to spend anymore vet bills unless its an emergency because our QH broke his leg a couple years ago and my mom spent thousands on vetbills. Then my POA got a fungle abrasion in her eye and had to have surgery..luckily she still has the eye and can see. My dog had to have her splene removed, our other dog has ear problems and had to have ear surgery and our oldest dog has hot spots and our oldest cat is diabetic(sp). So yeah we have had tons of vet bills and I don't want my mom to spend anymore unless its an emergency. So maybe someone will know of an at home kind of thing where I can check her..I don't know just some advice. I have heard of the stomach being squishy or firm and hearing babies, does anyone know of other ways to check.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

There are no other ways to check. Has she gotten a lot fatter since the last picture you posted?