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Is Weight Ok?

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Fishybat

Fishybat

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi
I have had my girls just over a week. They are now 11weeks. Peachy was 325g last Saturday and today 350g. Truffle was 350g and is now 400g.
Truffle is eating more and faster.
Peachy was tiny when born and had to be partly hand fed.
I am also worried as when we got them at 10 weeks they were in a run with their sisters and brothers.
The owner assured me they could not be pregnant but after reading here I am not so sure. Little scared for my girls as very small and worried they would not cope and die if pregnant.

My questions are
Is the weight normal for 11 weeks?
Is the weight gain right?
Would they cope if pregnant at this size?
Do I need to give Peachy something to help weight gain?
 
Am tagging in @Wiebke for you she is very knowledgeable on pregnancies and baby so can give you an idea.
 
Hi!

The bad news first - yes, your girls could be pregnant. Boars start between 3-5 weeks and sows have their first season between 4-6 weeks old. :(

The good news: the weight gain is absolutely normal. 50g is on the high side, but not unknown in new piggies; 25-30g is about average at this stage. Extra feeding is not necessary. Your girls have until 15 months and longer to get to their ideal body weight. A high weight gain only occurs in a pregnant sow towards the end of the pregnancy when in many cases you can see other signs (like a thickening of the middle when seen from above, balls developing - please don't press the belly! etc.) Your girls are not there yet.

Please open a thread in our pregnancy section for ongoing advice and advice. We have got detailed advice threads at the top of the section, which should answer most of the questions you may have.
A first time pregnancy generally lasts about 10 weeks, so your girls could have babies at 14 weeks old at the very earliest and in about 8-9 weeks at the latest. This gives you a rough time frame.
 
Thank you for all the information. Peachy was the runt and very small so I am hoping she has escaped. Is it very dangerous for pigs so young to be pregnant?
They are both so gorgeous and settling so well. I will be so sad for them as just wee babies.
I have realised from reading threads that so many piggies are pregnant by mistake. It's so sad.

Thank you for giving me a clear time frame. I will keep everything crossed. Do you know anyone in poole Dorset uk that can recommend a good vet? as I would like to take them for a newbie check up and get them registered with a good vet.
 
I have asked around and am hoping for some guidance on a vet in your area. If not I would suggest ringing around and asking if they have anyone with an interest in piggies, that is how we found our vet and she is fantastic and was not known for Guineas before. So you may unearth a good vet.
 
Thank you so much for your help. I did check the vet locater but no one near me. I will ask around as would like to find a good one.
I am so pleased with my piggies they are already chasing around, popcorning, eating from our hands and happy to sit on our lap. Peachy stays still and is easy to pick up and even comes towards me as if asking for a cuddle. Truffle needs a good stroke first and then a swift collect while she is still enjoying the stroke.
Peachy was boss to start with but Truffle has now taken the lead and I think Peachy is ok with that so hopefully they have sorted out the order now.
Thank you so much for all the useful information on here.
 
It sounds like you are getting a lovely bond with them :) They sound lovely. Babies are so much fun and full of life, take lots of photos they grow so quick, we had a 7 week old and she has grown so fast over the past months. I really hope yours are not pregnant it is so unfair that babies can be pregnant so little.
Do you have any photos of them? If I hear of any vets in your area will post them here for you.
 
I use an ipad and not sure how to upload pics using ipad.
 
Hi there, I'm not an expert but the same thing happened to me. Wilma was just 3 1/2 months when she had her babies. We got her at 6 weeks so she must have gotten pregnant very early on.
We worried a bit because she was so little but yet so big. My suggestion is keep a close eye on them and keep a good vet on speed dial which is what we did. Don't let any horror stories scare you. Obviously there are risks. Wilma had two healthy babies which we kept and are about 10 weeks old now.
 
Thank you for your reply. I'm glad wilma and babies were ok. Truffle seems to be gaining weight and growing all over but not showing any sign of pregnancy yet. Just seems really healthy and full of beans. Peachy is so small to Truffle as she was the runt. I hope Peachy is not pregnant as she needs to concentrate on building herself up, she is not as lively as Truffle.

Going to take them to a vet to get registered and will find one with good out of hours service.
It is good to hear that Wilma was so young but fine as it has helped put my mind at rest. X
Thanks

Tina
 
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