Help! Pregnant, fat or bloat?!

[GeorgiaParkerBrown]

I've been monitoring our beautiful Blousey for a couple days due to her sides getting larger. First off I worried about bloat but she is fine, eating, drinking, pooping, grooming. She doesn't appear to be in any pain and will let me touch her stomach and sides no problem. She has always been a bit lazy since we adopted her 3 weeks ago so lays around anyway.
I was told she was around 1 year old and has never had any previous litters. She was housed with another female (Tallulah) who we also adopted and they love each other so much.
I spoke over the phone with the emergency vet last night who wasn't over concerned as she is very well in herself. The vet did mention pregnancy! She hasn't deteriorated in anyway over night and is still her perky self this morning. Her stomach doesn't feel hard but after sitting with her for five minutes with my fingers gently on her sides, I thought I felt some movement! There was certainly a little gurgling going on, which I guess is good right, as far as her digestive system goes?
I just really want to rule out bloat. I don't know much about it and I don't want to stress her out with a vet visit if I'm overreacting (I know it's better safe than sorry) but I just wanted some advise or any thoughts would be great. Maybe I'm about to become a grandma!

 

[DMS260820]

Where did you adopt these 2 girls from? I rubbish with this kind of subject, so il tag in @VickiA @Wiebke @Piggies&buns

 

[Piggies&buns]

This is our guide on bloat Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating and it’ll provide information on what to look for on that front. However, if you are at all concerned about bloat (from what you say though she doesn’t seem to be displaying obvious symptoms but obviously you have the contact with them and we can only go by your written word), then you do need to go to a vet as bloat is a very serious life threatening issue.

Do you know if she has been in contact with a boar? Pregnancy lasts around 10 weeks and you won’t really see any signs until towards the end. The only way to know for sure (other than babies appearing one day!) is to go to a vet to be scanned

 

[GeorgiaParkerBrown]

I adopted them from someone who advertised them online. I didn't like the way they looked and their set up, so I went to see them and fell in love. I took them straight to the vetinary nurse to be checked over and nails/fur clipped etc. She she weighed 1.5 and looked quite Chunky then! I would like to weigh her today actually.

 

[Wiebke]

I've been monitoring our beautiful Blousey for a couple days due to her sides getting larger. First off I worried about bloat but she is fine, eating, drinking, pooping, grooming. She doesn't appear to be in any pain and will let me touch her stomach and sides no problem. She has always been a bit lazy since we adopted her 3 weeks ago so lays around anyway.
I was told she was around 1 year old and has never had any previous litters. She was housed with another female (Tallulah) who we also adopted and they love each other so much.
I spoke over the phone with the emergency vet last night who wasn't over concerned as she is very well in herself. The vet did mention pregnancy! She hasn't deteriorated in anyway over night and is still her perky self this morning. Her stomach doesn't feel hard but after sitting with her for five minutes with my fingers gently on her sides, I thought I felt some movement! There was certainly a little gurgling going on, which I guess is good right, as far as her digestive system goes?
I just really want to rule out bloat. I don't know much about it and I don't want to stress her out with a vet visit if I'm overreacting (I know it's better safe than sorry) but I just wanted some advise or any thoughts would be great. Maybe I'm about to become a grandma!

Hi!

Please see your vet for a hands-on examination and if necessary a scan to confirm a pregnancy; if it is one, it is one in the late stages when the big weight gain and baby growth happens. We can't tell you any more or diagnose a pregnancy/bloating reliably from your description. Treat any sow that may be pregnant as such for 10 weeks after her arrival (pregnancy watch) or until you know for sure one way ro other.

Sadly mis-sexing at any stage from the breeders to the pet shop happens far too often; and there are breeders and some smaller shops that generate an extra income by deliberately selling pregnant piggies to take the babies back and sell them on - pregnant...
Private owners wanting to get rid of their unwanted/problem pets will often lie through their teeth...
The only safe place to get sows from is a good standard rescue with sexing, quarantine/vet care and a mandatory pregnancy watch upon arrival for any sow over 4 weeks of age.

Please take the time to read our comprehensive pregnancy, birth, mother and baby care, sexing and separating information and take extra note of the crucial diet information at the top. Diet is key for any birth preparation as that is the way you influence any risks and boost survival chances. The extras are there to protect your potential mother's own bodily reserves.
Unfortunately it is going to be quite a steep learning curve on reading up once pregnancy comes into play.
Here is the link to our comprehensive information, which you should find very helpful; it has been specifically written for people without experience: Pregnancy & Baby Care Guide's

If you are worried about bloating, then here is our guide. If it was severe bloat, your piggy would not be well at all though! However, as bloat can be a serious and potentially lethal problem, it needs to be vet checked before you can eliminate it!
Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

Can you please tell us a bit more about the background? How old is your sow and how long have you had her? Has she got a companion (of which gender, neutered or not?

Which country are you in and are your piggies indoors or outdoors? We have members and enquiries from all over the world. Climate and background can vary enormously but can play a major role in any advice we give as some conditions/risks are weather/climate related.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...g-your-country-appear-with-every-post.107444/

Please keep any updates, questions and concerns to this one specially monitored ongoing support guide so we can keep all information together.

 

[GeorgiaParkerBrown]

This is our guide on bloat Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating and it’ll provide information on what to look for on that front. However, if you are at all concerned about bloat (from what you say though she doesn’t seem to be displaying obvious symptoms but obviously you have the contact with them and we can only go by your written word), then you do need to go to a vet as bloat is a very serious life threatening issue.

Do you know if she has been in contact with a boar? Pregnancy lasts around 10 weeks and you won’t really see any signs until towards the end. The only way to know for sure (other than babies appearing one day!) is to go to a vet to be scanned

Thank you so much for your reply. There was no mention of a board as the two girls were caged together. However, one of the children did say something strange..she mentioned that one of them may be pregnant but then the lady quickly interrupted and said "no,no,no it's passed the date now"! In hindsight I personally think this sounds like she may have had contact with a boar.

Thank you once again. I think a scan is in order.

 

[DMS260820]

Thank you so much for your reply. There was no mention of a board as the two girls were caged together. However, one of the children did say something strange..she mentioned that one of them may be pregnant but then the lady quickly interrupted and said "no,no,no it's passed the date now"! In hindsight I personally think this sounds like she may have had contact with a boar.

Thank you once again. I think a scan is in order.

I would be on red alert, all the best, the reason I asked where you got them, was hoping you would say a rescue, but online and petshops is where you are going to run into the problems you may be facing. Keep us updated

 

[GeorgiaParkerBrown]

I would be on red alert, all the best, the reason I asked where you got them, was hoping you would say a rescue, but online and petshops is where you are going to run into the problems you may be facing. Keep us updated

Thank you so much. I totally agree with you... But I'm a sucker!

 

[GeorgiaParkerBrown]

Hi!

Please see your vet for a hands-on examination and if necessary a scan to confirm a pregnancy; if it is one, it is one in the late stages when the big weight gain and baby growth happens. We can't tell you any more or diagnose a pregnancy/bloating reliably from your description. Treat any sow that may be pregnant as such for 10 weeks after her arrival (pregnancy watch) or until you know for sure one way ro other.

Sadly mis-sexing at any stage from the breeders to the pet shop happens far too often; and there are breeders and some smaller shops that generate an extra income by deliberately selling pregnant piggies to take the babies back and sell them on - pregnant...
Private owners wanting to get rid of their unwanted/problem pets will often lie through their teeth...
The only safe place to get sows from is a good standard rescue with sexing, quarantine/vet care and a mandatory pregnancy watch upon arrival for any sow over 4 weeks of age.

Please take the time to read our comprehensive pregnancy, birth, mother and baby care, sexing and separating information and take extra note of the crucial diet information at the top. Diet is key for any birth preparation as that is the way you influence any risks and boost survival chances. The extras are there to protect your potential mother's own bodily reserves.
Unfortunately it is going to be quite a steep learning curve on reading up once pregnancy comes into play.
Here is the link to our comprehensive information, which you should find very helpful; it has been specifically written for people without experience: Pregnancy & Baby Care Guide's

If you are worried about bloating, then here is our guide. If it was severe bloat, your piggy would not be well at all though! However, as bloat can be a serious and potentially lethal problem, it needs to be vet checked before you can eliminate it!
Digestive Disorders: Diarrhea - Bloat - GI Stasis (No Gut Movement) And Not Eating

Can you please tell us a bit more about the background? How old is your sow and how long have you had her? Has she got a companion (of which gender, neutered or not?

Which country are you in and are your piggies indoors or outdoors? We have members and enquiries from all over the world. Climate and background can vary enormously but can play a major role in any advice we give as some conditions/risks are weather/climate related.
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...g-your-country-appear-with-every-post.107444/

Please keep any updates, questions and concerns to this one specially monitored ongoing support guide so we can keep all information together.

Oh thank you so much for your reply and all the great reading you have provided. I will certainly be spending some time today to look at it. We do have another 5 piggies so have moderate experience, just not with bloat or pregnancy!

I was told Blousey is 1 year old when I got her 3 weeks ago. She is housed with another female, which I have confirmed. They are all housed in pairs, inside of a cosy bedroom. Each pair have a home.. I will attach a photo. We live in the United Kingdom.

 

[Wiebke]

Oh thank you so much for your reply and all the great reading you have provided. I will certainly be spending some time today to look at it. We do have another 5 piggies so have moderate experience, just not with bloat or pregnancy!

I was told Blousey is 1 year old when I got her 3 weeks ago. She is housed with another female, which I have confirmed. They are all housed in pairs, inside of a cosy bedroom. Each pair have a home.. I will attach a photo. We live in the United Kingdom.

Thank you for providing more background information.

If you could add your county/city to location in your account details, this would make it appear with any post you make and allow us to include local tips and recommendations where helpful straight away. You access your account details by clicking on your username on the top bar.

If a pregnancy is confirmed, we are going to move this thread from the health/illness section to our also specially monitored pregnancy section, which is only visible once you have registered with us.

 

[GeorgiaParkerBrown]

Thank you for providing more background information.

If you could add your county/city to location in your account details, this would make it appear with any post you make and allow us to include local tips and recommendations where helpful straight away. You access your account details by clicking on your username on the top bar.

If a pregnancy is confirmed, we are going to move this thread from the health/illness section to our also specially monitored pregnancy section, which is only visible once you have registered with us.

Thanks for the advise. I just joined an hour ago so I appreciate it.

I will keep you posted as soon as it's confirmed..or not!

 

[VickiA]

Thanks for the tag. Looks like you have everything under control now. I agree that only a vet examination will determine this for you. And my experience of people surrendering piggies is that there is always a high degree of suspicion as to what they tell you. But children are rarely dishonest!

 

[GeorgiaParkerBrown]

Thanks for the tag. Looks like you have everything under control now. I agree that only a vet examination will determine this for you. And my experience of people surrendering piggies is that there is always a high degree of suspicion as to what they tell you. But children are rarely dishonest!

Exactly my thoughts Vicki. Thanks for getting in touch. Ive spent the day preparing a birth kit incase of emergency! And I will get her checked next week, if I'm not a grandma by then