Uh-oh,.... pear shaped piggie?

[jeniwow]

So I got lovely little Gerty from the adoption center at pets at home around a month ago (I wasn't aware of rescues at this point and didn't 'pay' for her but made a donation to the RSPCA instead). I was told at the time that she was 12 weeks old and was by herself because she didn't get on with the other piggies they put her in with .

Anyway when I picked her up today I noticed that her stomach was feeling rather hard and round, with one side slightly lumpier than the other. When I put her down and had a look from the top (and navigated my way through all her wild crazy hair) I noticed that she is starting to look decidedly pear shaped. Sitting her tummy gently on my hand I can't really feel a great deal other than lots of what feels like breathing/gurgling normal body goings on.

I realize that there is is a chance that she is pregnant and was just wondering if it is common to get animals from chains such as pets at home that are pregnant.

If she is pregnant and I inform the store will they do anything to help me out with looking after her and the babies?

Any advice or previous experiences you have of this would be greatly appreciated |)

 

[Hanwombat]

Sadly yes its all too common to obtain a guinea pig from a pet shop to find out its pregnant. Weigh her daily to see if she gradually gains weight.

Was she with other guinea pigs when you got her?

Please refer to the pregnancy section for any information as well as members experiences.

 

[Sodapops]

I realize that there is is a chance that she is pregnant and was just wondering if it is common to get animals from chains such as pets at home that are pregnant.

If she is pregnant and I inform the store will they do anything to help me out with looking after her and the babies?

Any advice or previous experiences you have of this would be greatly appreciated |)

Yes it's very common unfortunately - i myself never bought a pregnant sow - however i did purchase a m,ale then went back some weeks later to purchase another male for company - 6wks down the line it turns out my new male was indeed a female - she had 2 babies (a boy and a girl)

I contacted the store immediately - the store manager wasn't really bothered about helping so i went straight to head office, the woman i dealt with was really good and immediately contacted the store and arranged for to collect a ferplast 120, a bag of food and 2 bales of hay - i was also sent a £60 voucher to help with food while she was pregnant and also after she'd had the babies. They also said they would pay any associated vets bills and an arrangement was made that my male pig would be neutered and they would pick up the bill.

Fortunately because my sow had a boy and girl, the girl stayed with mum and the male went in with dad (when he was old enough). After the birth, head office arranged for me to collect another 120cm cage.

Before you contact the store you will want to know for definite that she is pregnant - i would give it another 2-3wks and you should know for sure then

 

[Claire W]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately, this is rather quite common with pet shop pigs. If you haven't already, please weigh her daily as big weight gains is a sign of pregnancy. Have a read through this thread http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=83813

If I were you, I would contact pets at home (if she is pregnant) and they 'should' help you out with vets bills or at least offer you a bigger cage.

I can not stress this enough but please DO NOT give the babies to pets at home when they are born.

If she is pregnant, are you in a position to keep the babies?

Guinea pigs are pregnant for between 59 and 72 days.

If you haven't done already, please have her registered and seen by a cavy savvy vet in case she needs help during labour.

Until you know for sure, please treat her as though she is pregnant. Do you have any pics as more experienced members may be able to tell and give more advise than me.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Guinea pig girls can get pregnant from four weeks onward. Sadly shop piggy pregnancies are anything but rare! I have started out my own adult piggy life as a "shop granny" myself.

Please open a thread in our pregnancy section where you will get our detailed pregnancy information pack that will hopefully answer most of your questions. The section is monitored by some very experienced people who can help you on all aspects. We would be grateful if you kept it all to that one thread so we can refer to your specific circumstances and don't have search around to get the whole story everytime.