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New sick and pregnant

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Generalloss

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Hello

I thought i could use some experienced guinea pig owners to help me out with a few things I'm concerned about.

I have been reading up about guinea pig care and I'm not new to animals but first time i own guinea pig. My other half and her x boyfriend decided to buy a guinea pig for their 12 year old to learn him about responsibility and routine. Of course that means me and my partner are the one to take care of them.

I read up about not buying guinea pigs form a pet store but my other half didn't think it would be a big deal and in the end we bought 3 form the pet shop.

Just now i think one of our guinea pig is pregnant and wonder what we need to do to take care or her and if we need separate them and what not. We have decided to keep her and not give her back to the pet store. But i think i will post this in the pregnancy section of this forum.

I think the second or third day we had have them one of over guinea pig started sneezing so i read up somewhere that it might be the wood shavings we where using. So i toke that out and put down a towel for them witch thy now have and the sneezing then started waring off at lest that what i thought. Today when i picket her up to inspect her and the pregnant guinea pig i noticed that she where breding funny and sneezing again. It looks as if she would have a cold with a runny sort of nose. She is very alert and eating properly and the bravest of the lot. Just wondered if this is just a normal cold that will pass or might it be an infection?

I want to add that the first few days she was itching her ear allot she even had a red scratch mark on her ear where she lost hair. And at the same time she was itching her troth but she had not lost any hair there.

The 3 guinea pig looks happy but shy and when i inspected her i cant noticed anything wrong with her at all.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

By the way we have a 13322.5 Square CM cage and if we have the baby's we will make it another 10658 Square CM that is Indore.
 
Ok are all if the pigs female? They need to see a vet asap. the runny nose is not a cold its most likely a respiratory infection from the wood shavings.

Sorry you are having problems.
 
I am sorry that you are having such a steep learning that is not of your own making.

Please sex your existing guinea pigs. Any boars need to be separated asap.
If you have babies, you will need to separate any male babies by three weeks old. They really can start that young! Mums come into season within hours of giving birth.
http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm

Please have your piggies checked by a good (preferably exotics) vet. It sounds like URI, which can kill if left untreated. I would also have them checked for skin problems like fungal or mites. All three can spread quickly amongst stressed piggies.
http://www.guinealynx.info/uri.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/fungus.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/mites.html

You can reclaim vet and pregnancy cost from your pet shop (that also includes extra cages). Make sure that your guinea pigs have plenty of space. You may need to spearate mummy close to term of she gets aggressive with her companions. Two guinea pigs should have a minimum of 2x4 ft (120x60cm).

Where abouts are you from?
 
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Hello there, its great that your here looking for advice, so i would just like to cover some basics.

Please try to sorce some alfalfa hay (this will help pups bones and should be fed to mum untill end of nursing period, pups may eat it too)

and an extra Vit C rich veg than usual to her daily veg intake and DONT feed parsley (it can cause miscariages).

If when she gives birth shes having trouble unwrapping the pups, please do it for her this will not harm them and she wont reject them.

If she seems at all stressed by her female cage mates (if she has any) please move her to her own cage. All males must be removed as she will come into season right after giving birth, so she could get pregnant again if he isnt removed if he has been neutered he should still be removed as when she comes into season after the birth he will still try to mate her (even though he cant get her pregnant) and this will be stressfull for her while she needs to be concentraiting on the pups. Also be aware that as she is a first time mum its possible she may at first be afraid of her babies. This can sometimes be delt with by placing her in a smaller enclosed space like a cardboard box, with her and only the pups so she is forced to accept them.

Once babies are born please weight them (give them an hour or two, but in the first day). 70g-100g is normal, anything under this but over 50g please post for advice on here, under 50g, and post as urgent in the pregnancy and labour section as those/that pup will likely need extra help. (dont be alarmed if there weight drops in the first day or two. This is normal but should then start to rise once mothers milk comes through)

Male pups will need seperating at 21 days old provided they reach 250g. If you need help sexing dont be afraid to post pictures. You will need the space to seperate any and all males, then divide them into pairs and/or fine a friend for any lone males left over if you plan to keep them long term. If you dont (which everyone will understand) you will still need to remove males at 21 days or they can get mum pregnant again. If this is difficult, or you need to rehome any please contact a local rescue. They will keep the pups untill 6-8weeks so they are sure the pups are thriving, and then the home they go to will be checked for suitability (please be aware guineas sold on free ads are prime reptile food- espcially little ones).

Also make sure there is a hidey in the cage big enough for her to give birth in should she want some privacy.

Are you aware of what a lethal is and how to know if you may get them? Here is a thread on the topic. http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/s...ad.php?t=51194

If you mark on your calendar 80 days from the last time she was with an intact male then if that date comes and goes she is not pregnant.

Please have the number of a cavvy savvy vet to hand at all times incase you need it. (if she bleeds more than a teaspoon during/after labour please rush her to the vet. Also rush her if she appears to have a pup still inside and it has been 20 minutes since the last one was born.

Also, very important, only handle her when absolutely necessary. Handling pregnant piggies can harm the pups. If you desperately need her to be moved *ie for cleaning out or vet trips) Try to get her into an up side down cardboard box with a hole in the side for her to walk in and out. (maybe place a treat in there for her.) then hold your hand over the hole while carrying her in the box to wherever she needs to go.

Sorry, i know thats alot of info for you, if you have any other questions dont hesitate to ask in out pregnancy and labour section.

Also, as said above the “cold” is most likely a respatory infection which is serious and can kill if not treated by a vet asap.

Unfortunatly theses situations are common with piggies from pet shops, thats why its advised not to get them from there.
 
Personally I would get all three guinea pigs in to your vet asap (tomorrow) and have them looked over. Could have mites / fungal / respritory infection / pregnancy

They need to see a vet
 
I will go to the vet tomorrow at 16:20 and take all of them with me. Unfortunately its not an exotic vet as far as i know. But i don't have a car so will be stressful to take them on a few buses i think?

We live in London Croydon England.

I think we only have 3 girls at lest that's what they told my partner but they told her that none of them where pregnant and none was sick so not sure if i believe that all of them are girls so will ask the vet just in case.

Wiebke you mentioned that we can get the expenses payed for the birth that would be very help full but how wold i go about doing that?

I have alfalfa hay and alfalfa nuggets from oxbow and I'm trying to give them about 1 small cup of vegetables every day.

I should add that we bought them just a few days ago from the pet shop and they are still young maybe 8 to 10 weeks old. I don't know when she was with a male last.

When i lift her i use a bunny willow tunnel so that i don't touch here stomcach. But i wont do that unless absolutely necessary.

Connie the link you gave me about "lethal"? gives me a 404 error ( page not found )

Do you have any advice about what i should ask my vet about more then mites / fungal / respiratory infection / pregnancy/ gender when i go there tomorrow?

Thanks for all the help and I'm sure i will need more help if she is pregnant.
 
Hi I just wanted to say you cannot bed your piggies on towels alone. They could catch their nails on them and they could be pulled out. I use towels and two layers of fleece. This needs to be changed every three days and I collect poops three times a day.

I am sorry to hear about your piggies health. Did you get them from Pets at Home? So many piggies from there have mites and are in poor health. That is why it is best to get them from a rescue.

If you want to get your money back from the shop then take the receipts to the shop and insist they pay. It is so important you get these piggies sexed correctly.

Taking them on the bus is fine. Just put a soft fleece in the carrier and some hay for them to munch on.

When they are older they will need to be changed to Timothy hay and also have more vegetables.
 
Sorry, The thing about lethals isnt to scare you, just for you to check. You seem very sensible and its great that your doing your own research. The risk of lethals is very minimal. :)

Here is the link, But if this doesnt work the thread can be found at the top of the "breeds" section of the forum. :)

You seem like your working very hard. I wish you luck, and people on the forum will always aim to answer all your questions.
 
Hello again.

My Guinea pig is pregnant indeed the vet told me today. And he also suspect that one of the other girl is pregnant to. All three is girls that's a relief. But mean i have no idea when she is going to give birth. The vet i went to i don't think have done anything with guinea pig before.

He says that the one i thought was pregnant have 2 babies and that they do all of the work alone and i don't need to worry about it.

And my sick guinea pig he told me that she had a common cold and didn't even take the time to bother looking at her.

So looking for another vet somewhere but cant find a specialist any where close to Us.

My sick Guinea pig (sofie) started pooping around and running around there new cage allot today so she seams happy and lots of energy for being sick. Is this common or do i need to start looking for a specialist vet ASAP?

Thanks for your help.

Oh yes is there a way of telling how far in she might be so that we know when to expect. I can feel the babies kick... At lest i think i can. That's how i realised she was pregnant

PS. Right now they are runing around the cage is super speed :).
 
I use vets 4 pets which I find excellent, I think there is one near Croydon, if you go the the vets4pets website and type in your postcode etc you should find if you have one within easy reach, someone else may suggest a different vets.
 
Thank you we have one near os and made an apointment for today. Thay seam to know what they are talking about :)
 
:) It is always best to have a cavvy savvy vet handy in case something goes wrong with the labour.

The vet is correct that they should do all the work, however first time moms sometimes do get confused and need a hand.

I would be extreemly concerned that he has written off the sick piggie as guinea pigs can get very ill very fast. :) Its great that you are being so pro active and getting them to a new vet! Do let us know how you get on.

Now this isnt urgent, but dont forget that once any male babies are 3 weeks old they will need to be seperated from mom, so it might be worth you trying to get your hands on a new cage. :)

Also, the two pregnant girls idealy need to be kept appart as if pregnant girl A eats the after birth of pregnant girl B (just trying to help her out) It can cause pregnant girl A to start labour early and have a miscarriage/still born pups. :(

Sometimes you can get cages on freecycle as a temporary measure even if they are smaller than ideal, just so the girls are away from eachother. :)
 
The vet's at "Vets 4 Pets" was much more help full. Sofie ( The sick guinea pig ) indeed is sick and have got some medicine now. They suspect she might be pregnant too but only with one or it might have been the food sack they told me as they where in the same area. Purple the healthy Guinea pig turned out to have mites and Fudge (Pregnant one) is with 2 babies they told me. So hop fully everything gos well with them all. But my vet told me they where older then 8 to 10 weeks she said they where around 4-5 months old. Not sure they where all that clued up with Guinea pig tho they told me that the mom only is in pregnant for 4 weeks ( I thought it was around 9) and that they get born without fur ( I read from a few places and they say they are born with fur). Medicine they gave me was "Xeno50 Mini Spot On Tube (Ivermectin 50 mcq) As" and "baytril 2.5% oral (100) for Sofie the one with URI (i think it was URI).

Exensive tho cost more then the guinea pig hehe. But can't set a price on family members.

But any way they have medicine and they seam good all in all so will keep going there i think. Unless i can find a cavy expert anywhere.

All 3 are now separated as one is being treated with mites and the other 2 probably have mites too so will have to keep her away for 6 weeks apparently until she is treated. Hop fully by then Fudge have her babies by then so we can treat fudge for mites too so we can put them together again and then finely in a few weeks when and if Sofie have her baby treat her too so all can get back together.

Do that sound alright?

And they have had wood in there cage. Small wooden house and a run wheel and bits and peaces do i have to throw them away now as they might have mites? Or can i just put them away for a while hoping that all mites die because they don't have any host? Or does it not work like that?

Thanks allot for all help you all have given me by the way. Sofie might might have died if i just gone to the other vet. So thanks a bunch.
 
The vet's at "Vets 4 Pets" was much more help full. Sofie ( The sick guinea pig ) indeed is sick and have got some medicine now. They suspect she might be pregnant too but only with one or it might have been the food sack they told me as they where in the same area. Purple the healthy Guinea pig turned out to have mites and Fudge (Pregnant one) is with 2 babies they told me. So hop fully everything gos well with them all. But my vet told me they where older then 8 to 10 weeks she said they where around 4-5 months old. Not sure they where all that clued up with Guinea pig tho they told me that the mom only is in pregnant for 4 weeks ( I thought it was around 9) and that they get born without fur ( I read from a few places and they say they are born with fur). Medicine they gave me was "Xeno50 Mini Spot On Tube (Ivermectin 50 mcq) As" and "baytril 2.5% oral (100) for Sofie the one with URI (i think it was URI).

Exensive tho cost more then the guinea pig hehe. But can't set a price on family members.

But any way they have medicine and they seam good all in all so will keep going there i think. Unless i can find a cavy expert anywhere.

All 3 are now separated as one is being treated with mites and the other 2 probably have mites too so will have to keep her away for 6 weeks apparently until she is treated. Hop fully by then Fudge have her babies by then so we can treat fudge for mites too so we can put them together again and then finely in a few weeks when and if Sofie have her baby treat her too so all can get back together.

Do that sound alright?

And they have had wood in there cage. Small wooden house and a run wheel and bits and peaces do i have to throw them away now as they might have mites? Or can i just put them away for a while hoping that all mites die because they don't have any host? Or does it not work like that?

Thanks allot for all help you all have given me by the way. Sofie might might have died if i just gone to the other vet. So thanks a bunch.
 
Guinea pig gestation is around 72 days, so thats about 10 weeks. Maybe she ment they only have about 4 weeks left? :/

Piggy babies are definatly born with fur, not only that, they can walk within the hour of birth and eat solid food in just days. :) You will be amazed. Its great that you have seperated them.

Its now time to have a think about what you plan to do with any babies born.

The best thing to do, is mark 80 days from the day you got them on the calendar (once that day has been and gone you know no more are pregnant)

It might also be an idea to look out for a more cavvy savvy vet, as some of that advice is abit iffy however the treatment is whats normally given. :)

I'm not sure about the wooden houses, hopefully someone else on here can advise on that.

(sorry i didnt reply sooner, the forum kept freezing! mallethead )
 
Guinea pig gestation is around 72 days, so thats about 10 weeks. Maybe she ment they only have about 4 weeks left? :/

Piggy babies are definatly born with fur, not only that, they can walk within the hour of birth and eat solid food in just days. :) You will be amazed. Its great that you have seperated them.

Its now time to have a think about what you plan to do with any babies born.

The best thing to do, is mark 80 days from the day you got them on the calendar (once that day has been and gone you know no more are pregnant)

It might also be an idea to look out for a more cavvy savvy vet, as some of that advice is abit iffy however the treatment is whats normally given. :)

I'm not sure about the wooden houses, hopefully someone else on here can advise on that.

(sorry i didnt reply sooner, the forum kept freezing! mallethead )
 
When you say a run wheel, you don't mean the type that hamsters have do you?
Never seen a guinea pig use one, plus they can break there bones easily on them to

Glad you feel a bit happier with the vets, agree they probably meant they have approx 4 weeks left till birth
 
Acording to the vet thay only have betwen 1 to 2 weeks left. She sayd that thay are pregenant for only 4 weeks witch is odd.

Oh i see thay sold them as a rabits and guinea pig exersise wheel. Wont use that then.

Thanks
 
Acording to the vet thay only have betwen 1 to 2 weeks left. She sayd that thay are pregenant for only 4 weeks witch is odd.

Oh i see thay sold them as a rabits and guinea pig exersise wheel. Wont use that then.

Thanks
 
Sorry, thats awfully that i didnt see the bit about the wheel! :( please dont use them, it can cause serous problems with their spine as unlike other rodents, it doesnt bend that way.

I can assure you (as hopefully can many others on the forum) that guinea pig gestations is DEFINATLY 72 days (ish, it can vary a little obviously). And they are most definatly born with hair. I'm sure suzy wont mind, so here is a link to a thread with pictures of babies that are just hours old (literally not even a day!) :) http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=78739

Where abouts are you again?

Its important to remember only exotics vets have any actual training in guinea pigs. Cat and dog vets get none.

Could you uploads some pictures of your almost definatly gorgeous girlies for us? :)

If you have any pregnancy related questions its best to post them in the pregnancy and labour section of the forum, that way experienced people will see it quickly and respond with there great knowledge. :))
 
Here is some solid information from the best the medical website for guinea pigs. A pregnancy lasts around ten weeks (plus/minus). Babies are born with their eyes open and having their hair. My current avatar shows my own recent baby just hours old (at 100g birth weight).
http://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html, also see links labor and faq (for after birth care)

Please be aware that because of having the longest pregnancy of all rodents, babies can engender the next generation at an extremely young age! You REALLY need to separate any male pups at 3 weeks old. The earliest docmented sibling pregnancy is 24 days and I have heard of at least one case on here where mummy has been got pregnant by a well developed son even before three weeks were up.
Here is a link for sexing guinea pigs of all ages. You are always free to post pictures of the babies' privates in our pregnancy section for a second opinion from experienced members.
http://www.cavyspirit.com/sexing.htm
 
Generalloss said:
Acording to the vet thay only have betwen 1 to 2 weeks left. She sayd that thay are pregenant for only 4 weeks witch is odd.

Oh i see thay sold them as a rabits and guinea pig exersise wheel. Wont use that then.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Take it back and complain, as they are definitely not for rabbits or guinea pigs, where did * get the wheel from? Pets at home?

Deffo post some pigtures up of your girlies, we all love to see gorgeous guinea pigs x)
 
Generalloss said:
Acording to the vet thay only have betwen 1 to 2 weeks left. She sayd that thay are pregenant for only 4 weeks witch is odd.

Oh i see thay sold them as a rabits and guinea pig exersise wheel. Wont use that then.

Thanks
Click to expand...

So, a vet that thinks guinea pigs are only pregnant for 4 weeks - please give the practice name and vet you saw.

You have an exercise wheel for rabbits, didn't know they existed - please give the manufacturer and photo if you have one.

Suzy
 
Suzygpr said:
So, a vet that thinks guinea pigs are only pregnant for 4 weeks - please give the practice name and vet you saw.

You have an exercise wheel for rabbits, didn't know they existed - please give the manufacturer and photo if you have one.

Suzy
Click to expand...

I quite agree with suzy. :) Doesnt it go to show its best not to trust the pet shops advice, always do your own research. As you obvious are.
 
Yes i should have read up about exercise wheel. I thought they where safe when it was sold as a rabbit and guinea pig wheel.

Not sure what the name of the vet where but it was down in Lower Addiscombe Road Croydon Vets4Pets
 
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Purple shes the one with mits. Looks scared there hehe
 
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And this is Sofie. She is the sick one:(. But she still plays allot and eats allot so we hope she gets better soon:).
 
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