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URGENT advice needed please!

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Tracyxx

Tracyxx

Adult Guinea Pig
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Yesterday afternoon we discovered our three and a half month old PaH pig Betty had given birth to one baby sow. Betty was brought to be a companion to Minnie, who she was living with up until earlier this evening. The baby seemed a bit confused as to who mum was, but with advice from friends I decided to leave Minnie living with mum and baby. Yesterday evening I had mum and baby in the house together twice, the first time was for about forty five minutes and the whole time, baby was on mum's teat making sucking motions. She did this again about twenty minutes the second time. I was still anxious as Betty was absolutely wild with fright when I went in the shed yesterday, so got up early this morning to check on them. Baby was still really active and seemed bright eyed and happy.

I've been in the shed another two or three times today and each time, Minnie was in the sleeping compartment of the hutch whilst Betty and baby were outside, snuggled up together. I decided to move the three of them inside earlier this evening. I had Betty and the baby out again and baby appeared to be 'feeding'. Well about an hour ago, my dad called me to say that every time the baby went to Betty, she would run away. I've gone in a few times this evening and the baby's been sitting outside while Minnie and Betty were in the pigloo.

So I had Betty and baby out and baby appeared to be making sucking motions, although Betty was still frightened and edgy and kept trying to run away and leaving the baby on it's own. I decided to try and introduce them to Silvermist, who littered just over 4 weeks ago. Silvermist actually let the baby feed, but then started attacking her. I've now taken Minnie out, and left Betty and baby on their own.

Just tried to offer baby a bit of cow's milk (it's all we have) on a spoon but she was having none of it. Last time I checked, Betty was snuggled up to the baby in the pigloo and baby appeared to be feeding.

So now what do I do? I feel that I may have done more harm than good but all I was trying to do was help. I am now trying to just leave them alone whilst watching from a distance. How do I know if Betty is producing milk? Her teats look a lot smaller than other sows I have had who have littered, but then she is a lot younger and smaller herself. Her teats are definately more protruded than a non-mommy pig though.

I am almost sure she isn't rejecting the baby, she just doesn't pay it much attention. Baby definately knows who mum is and follows her around and wheeks for her. Betty is so, so frightened. Her eyes have got that awful terrified look and she jumps at the slightest noise. Baby is about 36 hours old now, do you think she is feeding? I have not seen any poops but I know mums usually clean up after their babies.

Please help, I have never had such a young sow have a litter. I would be so grateful for any advice, and thank you for reading...x
 
PS, I wondered if I should set my alarm periodically throughout the night and have Betty and baby out so I know they're feeding?
 
Sounds like she's a bit freaked out, if you can pick up the sow you can squeeze the teat gently and check for milk, check both just to make sure but if you squeeze you should get a bead of milk come through. If she's not used to being handled and hasn't littered before, it might all be a bit scarey for her.

I've just had to help feed two tiny babies here as you may have seen, as their mum only has milk in one nipple. They are now a week old and eating for themselves. If you can get some goat's milk in the morning and try feeding it from a spoon or soak some bread in it and see if the baby will suck for itself? If you don't have any other sows with milk then I think this is your best bet.

I'd put the sow and baby in a small cage (a cube of a hutch block, or a small indoor cage) to make them stay together, just for a night or two if you can. This has been helpful to me when I've had freaked-out sows before. I usually put them in a small indoor cage and cover over with a towel to keep them sheltered.

Hope she's ok. Have you weighed the baby? I would weigh twice daily to make sure she's feeding

Sophie
x
 
Sophie I have tried squeezing the nipple and nothing is happening, I am not sure if I am doing it right though? I will definately get some goats milk, is this the best sort to use? They are both snuggled in the pigloo now. I understand mum is scared, she's hardly got the nerve to eat and drink herself. I am so worried :(:(:( Thank you for the help x
 
You have to do it like milking a goat.. so start at the tummy end and squeeze towards the end of the nipple (like squeezing an icing bag? not sure how else to describe it!)

You can buy lactol powder (for puppies and kittens) and make it up to kitten strength, it keeps for ages but I've found that mine prefer goat's milk and it's the closest make-up to guinea pig milk. Bear in mind how tiny their tummies are though, mine would only take 2 -3 teaspoons in one go (I'm sure you know, but just in case others are reading - you have to let them lap it from the spoon, don't ever syringe feed a baby as they will choke).

Is the mum eating at all? Lots of greens to get the milk going, I usually give spring greens, curly kale etc. and milk thistle dried herbs (from Pampered Piggies). If she's not eating then try grass.

They don't always get milk for the first 12 hours or so as the babies are born with enough to keep them going.... when did she give birth?

Sophie
x
 
Well it's quite good news. Since I removed Minnie last night, Betty has been spending lots of time alone with the baby. I have tried to check for milk and am getting nothing, but surely if she wasn't producing anything baby would be less active by now, being almost 48 hours old? Is she out of the woods yet? :...
 
I haven't weighed the baby as I have no scales, however I'd say it's gaining weight.
 
Gee that's young for the little mummy isn't it :(
I hope it all sorts out and her milk is there....
We all wish Betty and mini xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>
 
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