Guinea pigs are very cute fluffy creatures that have taken pride of place among pets. Many owners are so addicted to these animals that they turn into real breeders. Sooner or later, the question arises before them: "What care do pregnant guinea pigs require?"
The puberty of females begins at the stage of twenty-eight days of life. However, there are cases when this happened on the twentieth day. The maturity of males occurs much later. This usually happens on the sixtieth - seventieth day of life. Despite its early maturity, at this age, the female is not yet able to give birth to healthy cubs without negative consequences for her health. The optimal period for gestation is considered to be from six to nine months of life.
The duration of gestation
A pregnant guinea pig is in an “interesting” position for sixty to sixty eight days, depending on the number of offspring. On average, this period lasts sixty-four days. However, with a small number of cubs, a pregnant guinea pig may remain so for seventy-two days. From the twentieth to twenty-fifth weeks, a fetus is palpated in the lower abdomen.
Nutrition
Like humans, guinea pigs are not capable of independently producing vitamin C. During pregnancy, the need for additional intake of vitamins and minerals increases. Therefore, you need to ensure the proper balanced nutrition for your pet. An adult guinea pig should consume from ten to twenty milligrams of vitamins per kilogram of weight per day. At the moment, a wide assortment of fortified feeds is presented in various pet stores, so there should not be a problem with the search.
Care
After the first half of the gestation period, pregnant guinea pigs need special care. At this time, it is extremely rare to inspect the nesting house. Cleaning the cell and moving it from one place to another is carried out only when special needs. It must be remembered that pregnant guinea pigs are sensitive to excessive anxiety and careless handling. As a result of recent manipulations, a miscarriage may occur. Many are interested in what a pregnant guinea pig looks like. Do not rush to satisfy the curiosity of others. You must observe safety precautions and remember that this complex physiological process is extremely complex, and any stress adversely affects such an animal as a pregnant guinea pig. A photo of this animal should also be done carefully, avoiding the use of a flash if possible.
Despite this, the cage should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected a day or two before delivery, after which it is necessary to place such an important detail as a fresh litter in the nesting house. Its basis is usually small fragrant hay.
Likely Hazards
It happens that pregnant guinea pigs undergo preterm birth. In this situation, it is necessary to conduct a bacteriological study. This is done in order to identify the cause of a miscarriage. Most often, such cases occur as a result of brucellosis, also called infectious abortion.
Childbirth
The natural termination of pregnancy of guinea pigs lasts about a day, if the litter is numerous. If there are few cubs, childbirth will take place within an hour. Normal childbirth does not need the assistance of a veterinarian. Only in extreme cases, when the mumps does not manage to give birth to itself, should a specialist intervene. This happens in females with a narrow pelvis, in case of violation of labor, with large sizes of litter or improper presentation of the fetus.
Usually from two to three babies are born, less often their number can reach six. Kids quickly open their eyes, and after an hour or two they begin to independently move around the house. The young are already adapted for independent eating of food, however, they need mother's milk. Feeding lasts up to one month. After the third or fourth day of life, babies, along with breast milk, eat a common feed.