Breeding often reduces the lifespan of female guinea pigs. Breeding a female guinea pig for the first time after she reaches 8 months of age can be very dangerous because of the normal stiffening of the pubic symphysis (a joint of tough fibrous cartilage between the 2 pubic bones of the pelvis) that occurs when the female reaches adulthood.
fifth month of age when they are ready to breed; of course, with respect to the good health condition and stature of a female. Minimum weight to mate a female guinea-pig is around 700g [4]. The female should give first birth before one year of age. In that period cartilage ossification starts in females and bones lose their elasticity .
Mar 23, 2020 · Breeding guinea pigs is not without its issues. These can impact both the sow and her babies. Female guinea pigs can struggle to give birth if their first mating is after their first birthday. This is due to their pelvic bones fusing in position, and struggling to allow the fully formed baby to pass through and out into the world.
The single most important breeding consideration is that female guinea pigs should be first bred before 7 months of age. If the first breeding is delayed beyond this time, serious (sometimes life-threatening) problems with delivery are encountered. Females should be first bred between 3 and 7 months of age. Males should be 34 months old at
Breeding guinea pigs is usually straightforward, but the results aren’t quick. The sow (female) and boar (male) need to be together for at least 17 days, and the gestation period is then around nine weeks. There is also quite a small window for safely breeding your female guinea pig. Before 6 months old they will be too young.
Guinea Pig Pregnancy. A female guinea pig will often look very pregnant after a few weeks. They can double their weight, and their sides will have a distended look that is a clear departure from the usual guinea pig oval shape! Make sure that you check her water more regularly as she might drink more.
A female guinea pig’s heat cycle lasts around 16 days, so to be sure that they have mated at the correct time you will need to leave them together for this time as a minimum.
Raising Baby Guinea Pigs. Hopefully, approximately nine weeks after your male and female guinea pigs meet, a litter will be born. Anywhere from 1 – 8 babies strong, the usual number is more like 3 or 4. And they will be born running!
He can get her pregnant immediately after the babies are born, but this will be too soon for her little body to safely cope. He might also accidentally hurt the babies if they get underfoot. If no babies arrive ten weeks after they are separated, then you can try putting them together again.
These can impact both the sow and her babies. Female guinea pigs can struggle to give birth if their first mating is after their first birthday.
Health problems among guinea pigs that live alone are usually related to aging, dental disease, reproductive disorders, injury, or improper care. Infectious diseases caused by certain viruses and bacteria usually occur only in guinea pigs that live with other guinea pigs. Intestinal parasites are not common.
Health problems among guinea pigs that live alone are usually related to aging, dental disease, reproductive disorders, injury, or improper care. Infectious diseases caused by certain viruses and bacteria usually occur only in guinea pigs that live with other guinea pigs. Intestinal parasites are not common. Tumors are rare in young guinea pigs but are more common in guinea pigs that are more than 5 years old. Treatment of infectious diseases can be complicated by the fact that guinea pigs are more sensitive to antibiotics than other types of pets.
A proper diet that does not change from day to day, clean water, bedding materials that are gentle on your pet’s skin, frequent cleaning and disinfecting of the cage, a low-stress environment, and sufficient exercise all help prevent illness.
Guinea pigs drool whenever there is a problem with chewing or swallowing. This condition is sometimes referred to as slobbers. The cause is usually improperly aligned teeth (malocclusion). Malocclusion may be inherited or due to lack of vitamin C, injury, or imbalances of certain minerals in the diet.
In guinea pigs, conjunctivitis is usually caused by infection by bacteria, such as Bordetella or Streptococcus species, that cause general upper respiratory disease (see Disorders and Diseases of Guinea Pigs : Lung and Airway Disorders, below). Treatment may include antibiotics. As always with guinea pigs, carefully watch your pet’s reactions to the medication.
Guinea pigs that receive these antibiotics may develop diarrhea, loss of appetite, dehydration, or a drop in body temperature. Death can occur in less than a week if the antibiotic treatment continues. Inadequate nutrition and vitamin C deficiency can make your pet more likely to develop these problems.
Ear infections are rare in guinea pigs. When they do occur, they are usually the result of bacterial infection. They may occur at the same time as pneumonia or other respiratory disease. Signs of infection may include discharge from the ears, but sometimes there are no signs of infection.