Real Dilemma

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JoHamer

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Hi there, I've just done something I vowed I would never do, I've paid cash for a guinea pig (£5). Please let me explain why. I teach in different schools in Coventry where I am always trying to teach kids about caring for animals/nature especially guinea pigs. One girl from a family with issues told me her Mum had 3 baby guinea pigs. As time went on I learnt that there were 2 boys and 1 girl in the cage with their parents. I became worried about the little sow, eventually I gave in and bought her. She's about 9 weeks old and was in with her Mum, Dad and brothers. Luckily my grandchildren's guinea pigs, both girls, have accepted her, well one has. To add to my worries she was inside and our are outside. However I have moved them all into a shed today, she's eating loads. Please forgive me, any advice about the young boars? They seem well cared for but couldn't see any hay. Thanks for your support, Jo and baby Poppy!
 
Hi,

If the baby pig is 9 weeks old, I'm assuming that she's been with the young boars until now?

Boars, believe it or not, can become sexually mature and fertile, at as young as 3 weeks. If she's been with them from the age of 3 weeks, there's a chance that she may be pregnant. Also, if the two boars are still in with the mother, she may also be pregnant again.

I know very little about GP pregnancy and you're going to need some good, reliable info on what to do incase she is pregnant, so I'll make some more of the experienced members aware of this and get some info for you.
 
Hi!

Could you please advise the family that up to 80% of a piggy's daily food intake should be hay to prevent long term digestive and dental problems.

Please be aware that both mum and Poppy are most likely pregnant again. Ney mummies come into season within hours of giving birth. Baby boys can start making babies from 3 weeks onwards (the earliest documented sibling pregnancy is 24 days). Sows start from 4-6 weeks onwards. No sow should be with a boar over 3 weeks old!

Back-to-back pregnancies are especially prone to complications that can result in dead and dying pups and mummies. Mummy needs to be separated from the boars asap! We offer a sexing service for babies in our pregnancy section, which is specially monitored by some very experienced members.

Here are the stats from the best medical website for guinea pigs. It also has a care/diet section: http://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html
Here is a detailed pregnancy/birth and baby/mummy care guide: http://wheekers.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=library&action=display&thread=7303
 
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Thanks really appreciate your help. The three babies have never been away from their parents. I never even thought about the poor Mum. Will have to take the carrying box back and try to chat with the owner, not so easy as she seems friendly but is 'known' to the police.
 
If you could persuade the lady to part with mummy before she has her babies (which will probably be very soon), you can either bring mummy here (I'm a member of the Piggy Bank rescue support network) or you can contact RAGS in Kerseley Newlands if you'd rather; but mummy should be ideally somewhere where she has expert care in case things go wrong.
http://www.freewebs.com/rags-rabbits/
 
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Here's a link to the pregnancy and labour section of the board - http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?11-Pregnancy-amp-Labour-No-breeding-advice-will-be-given!

It would be great if you could get the other sow out but bear in mind that you could end up with two pregnant guineas to look after (which really need to be indoors). The other thing is that trios of males tend to be unstable so there's a good chance of fallouts especially as the young boars mature, ideally they should be in pairs. It might be worthwhile seeing if you can persuade them to hand the mother and one of the males over to a rescue.

They need a constant supply of hay so definitely advise them to give them some! They should also, ideally be fed quality pellets and half a cup of veg each per day.
 
Hi thanks for all your help. I've decided to go back after school one night this week. I'll explain to her that I think the Mom might be pregnant again and ask what she wants to do. I'm also worried about the 3 boys together, the Dad is large and the babies very small. I have got a spare indorr cage I will offer to her. Hopefully we will get on to talking diet too. On the plus side little Poppy has settled in well and is finding her way around. Honey clicks her teeth at her occasionally in a warning way but our longhaired Chatterbox is acting like a Mom! First night I found Poppy underneath her in the hay! Warm and breathing I should add. Thanks again and I will let you know how I get on, the family live in an area of Coventry known as Longford. Any advice about what to do if she wants to re home the baby boys?
 
Hi, I can not offer anymore advice than what's already been mentioned but please do not feel bad for buying Poppy. I am pleased she has settled with your girls.

if the owner offers to rehome the boars, you could recommend the rescue Wiebke has suggested.
 
Wow - what a lovely thing to do. Don't feel bad about paying £ for a guinea pig! Why should it matter where they have come from, ALL animals deserve to have a good home.

I think you have been given brilliant advice on here so I won't add anything - just wanted to say it was a lovely thing to do & well done you for doing it! xx
 
Hi many thanks for all your help. I've been back this afternoon and yes, the mother is pregnant again. I got on really well with the owner who has lots of animals, mice, rats, cats and dogs! Those are the animals I saw.! They all look well cared for and the guinea pigs had hay. I've offered her another indoor cage which I will take to her tomorrow. She is happy for the baby boys to go to a rescue as long as no one goes round to judge her or lecture her (her words not mine) She told me her plan is to keep one new female and one new male and then separate males and females which sounds sensible to me. She also told me that she thought she had bought 2 females and can't believe she didn't realise her mistake. I will go back tomorrow and if the rescue offer is still on after what you've now read< I'll ask to pass her address on and try to find out her name! She lives in Longford, Coventry. Thankyou for all your help and support so far. Don't know if Poppy is pregnant yet, she's a lovely, lively little girl, my grandaughter says she is always smiling!
 
JoHamer said:
Hi Furryfriends thanks for the offer please read todays post, thanks Jo
Click to expand...

Are these piggies currently indoor, shed or outdoor piggies? I am only able to offer shed accommodation right now as I have a full quote of indoor piggies, and obviously if they have been kept indoors they aren't going to cope with the temperature change.
 
If necessary, I can take them in and foster them for furryfriends, even though we are living right at the other end of town. I have got an indoors cage.

Unfortunately, you will need a minimum of 50 posts before you can use private messaging, but you should be able to message furryfriends, who could relay my contact number to you (as she is admin), if that helps.

It would be good if you gave the owner the link to our pregnancy information pack, if you haven't already. Back-to-back pregnancies carry a higher risk of things going wrong for pups and mum. As she is not an intentional breeder, she is perfectly welcome to join here and get help and support in our pregnancy section, including sexing help for any babies to avoid any more problems.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?83813-To-all-new-members-with-surprise-pregnancy-s
 
Thanks, been back again today with another indoor hutch for her, sorry I don't know her name. She was very grateful and has decided to separate the boys from the Mom now. Consequently she is going to hang on to them, sorry to mess anyone about. They are indoor piggies although she puts them out in the summer Thanks for all the help, now I have become friendly with her I will certainly tell her about the forum.
On a different note, got a whole load of stuff off freecycle tonight, cage, igloos etc so I think I can help keep her going for a while!
 
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