when should I worry? (pregnant pig)

[bridgetb125]

I have a pregnant foster pig that is very pregnant. We don't know anything about her. She is probably an older pig, maybe 1, and we don't know if she's had a litter before. I got her on Wednesday and at that point she was and still is a finger width dilated. Since I got her I could hear and feel the babies chewing. When should I start to worry about her not having the babies yet?

 

[VoodooJoint]

If the babies are moving then they are all still alive and fine. Try not to worry too much. Encourage her to exercise and move around her cage.

Start to worry if she appears to be depressed, in distress, has strange discharge or smells like nail polish remover. If you notice any of that get her to a vet.

Most likely everything will be fine.

 

[Baby Bears]

What's the "nail polish remover" smell indicate? That's the first time I had heard of that warning sign. Of course, I've never had a pregnant pig!

 

[VoodooJoint]

It indicates Toxemia...nasty NASTY condition that can kill the mom and pups.

 

[bridgetb125]

Update: [font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Ellie had her babies about an hour and a half ago. I went in the check on her and saw her with 1 baby. So, I was there for the whole thing practically. She had 6 babies, but they are so small. I weighed the ones I could and the smallest is 50 grams and the largest is 70 grams. The rest are around 50-55 grams. Some of them are pretty weak looking. They aren't all moving too well yet. Some just are laying there. They just all don't fit under mom to nurse. Is there anything I should be doing? I can't believe she had so many. They are so tiny.[/font]

 

[kalrik]

Is she nursing well? You might want to research how to hand nurse them in case any are struggling. Please give us an update as soon as possible.

I'd also keep them on towels or fleece and in a warm area. They will eat solid foods within days so have lots of that out too.

 

[daftscotslass]

6 babies is an awful lot for a mother to cope with. I would take them to the vet to get checked out, and start considering (asap) hand rearing the weaker ones. There is some excellent advice on hand-rearing pups on:

http://www.guinealynx.info/handfeeding.html#pups

 

[kat_0521]

Try to get Oxbow Critical care for the pups. Definitely talk to a vet (ASAP) on hand-feeding, as well as to give Mum and the pups a once over. DON'T give them milk or any milk-based shake. Talk to Voodoo, Ly, or Theresa about a proper baby mix that you can syringe feed them.
Congrats on the pups! Give Mum a pat for me. Good luck on everything and keep us posted!

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Critical care or a pellet mash with veggie baby food mixed in it is good to feed pups. I fed Marnie peach baby food and pellet mash mixed. You will also need to syringe small amounts of water or pedialyte too after the CC or mash feedings.

 

[bridgetb125]

It's been a little over 5 hours since they were born and they are doing great. The weaker ones are moving more and they all seem to be nursing on and off. Should I still get the critical care? Or should I wait and see how they do first?

 

[Ly&Pigs]

It wouldn't hurt to have it on hand. If you can get some, go ahead and get it.

 

[bridgetb125]

Here's the babies. Two are under her nursing.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Oh my god! They are sooo tiny! Best of luck with them.

 

[bridgetb125]

Do they look too tiny? It's been over 5 years since i've had newborn guinea pig babies. They are all more alert now. I know they are really small though. I hope they do okay.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

They look tiny to me, as I have never had babies. They seem quite normal.

 

[bridgetb125]

Okay..lol.

 

[Denise]

Best of luck with them. My foster girl had four and it was so miraculous.

 

[kat_0521]

They are SOOO adorable! Can't really tell, but it looks like you have some Dutch Abby's in the bunch in the corner. Keep a close eye on them, and make sure they all get a turn nursing under mom.
Just wait until you see them popcorn for the first time! Then you'll REALLY fall in love! I can't get over how cute they all are! I just wanna snatch 'em up and run! hehe

 

[Acia Yakamo]

oh how cute no they aren't too small 6 babies in one guinea pig its only natural they be tiny i'm getting a guinea pig and i hope its as cute as them

 

[Acia Yakamo]

becides last i checked their the size of a hamster when born