Pregnant Guinea Pig Almost 5 Years Old
So my female Guinea Pig Jazzy (ALMOST 5 YEARS OLD) is pregnant with 2 babies and she’s not doing too great and I’m worried sick so I just want to ask what are the chances of her surviving this? The vet doesn’t even think the babies are alive in there but she thinks Jazzy is pretty far along. She took a look at her 4 days ago and gave me critical care to syringe her since she’s not eating and drinking much. But I’ve been updating her on the situation via phone.
And for anyone who asks - NO I didn’t do this on purpose. Jazzy’s sister Daisy died earlier in 2020 and then late 2020 I decided to get a new companion for Jazzy. The pet store promised the new companion was a girl but obviously turns out it was a boy because he got Jazzy my five year old pregnant and now here we are.
The vet is pretty hesistant to do a C section because of the risks. So she wants Jazzy to keep trying to give birth on her own but she’s not doing great 😞 Also this morning I noticed her doing pushing motions which I’m thinking maybe were contractions but she only did it for 10 minutes then stopped so I’m confused.
Anyone heard stories of older guinea pigs surviving this? What else can I do?
And for anyone who asks - NO I didn’t do this on purpose. Jazzy’s sister Daisy died earlier in 2020 and then late 2020 I decided to get a new companion for Jazzy. The pet store promised the new companion was a girl but obviously turns out it was a boy because he got Jazzy my five year old pregnant and now here we are.
The vet is pretty hesistant to do a C section because of the risks. So she wants Jazzy to keep trying to give birth on her own but she’s not doing great 😞 Also this morning I noticed her doing pushing motions which I’m thinking maybe were contractions but she only did it for 10 minutes then stopped so I’m confused.
Anyone heard stories of older guinea pigs surviving this? What else can I do?
- Lynx
- Celebrate!!!
I am so sorry you are in this situation. I would call the vet asap. I imagine you have read this page?
https://www.guinealynx.info/labor.html
https://www.guinealynx.info/labor.html
Yep I read the labor page. And Jazzy is still doing about the same this morning. Drinking water from syringe and eating hay and veggies. But not really leaving the spot she’s in. Haven’t seen her do any more pushing motions either.
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- And got the T-shirt
Whether or not she's able to deliver will depend quite a bit on the size of the pups. Guinea pigs do sometimes have one very large pup, either a singleton or in a litter, and that pup can block the delivery canal. That usually results in the death of sow and the pup(s).
If the pups are small, she may be able to deliver them normally. There's really no way to know other than when she goes into labor.
Unfortunately, there are no exotic vets in your state. And spaying a guinea pig while she's pregnant is a very risky surgery. Your vet is probably right to wait to see what happens. But do keep an eye on her, and if she seems to be laboring a long time, then at least get her to the vet to be humanely euthanized rather than suffering until she dies.
If you haven't already, take the male out of the cage now. If she does survive the delivery, she'll be in heat immediately, and can get pregnant within minutes of giving birth. If it happens when you're not there, she'll have back-to-back litters, and those are terribly hard on the sow and especially the second litter of pups.
If the pups are small, she may be able to deliver them normally. There's really no way to know other than when she goes into labor.
Unfortunately, there are no exotic vets in your state. And spaying a guinea pig while she's pregnant is a very risky surgery. Your vet is probably right to wait to see what happens. But do keep an eye on her, and if she seems to be laboring a long time, then at least get her to the vet to be humanely euthanized rather than suffering until she dies.
If you haven't already, take the male out of the cage now. If she does survive the delivery, she'll be in heat immediately, and can get pregnant within minutes of giving birth. If it happens when you're not there, she'll have back-to-back litters, and those are terribly hard on the sow and especially the second litter of pups.
You guys I’m having tears of relief right now. But maybe I should still be cautiously optimistic. She went in for the C section and as a last ditch effort the vet decided to try giving her Oxytocin before the surgery just to see if she could do it on her own. AND SHE DID! She pushed them out by herself with the help of oxytocin. No surgery needed. Both babies were dead in her unfortunately, but she made it. Now she’s getting antibiotics and pain meds for a few days. Unfortunately one of her back legs is having problems as well which the vet thinks is nerve damage from the babies pushing against her but the nerves might heal. The hardest part is over right? Is it normal for her to be acting a bit sluggish after all this? She’s still eating a bit but she’s kinda laying around a lot too and sounds kind of gassy. And do you guys think the leg will heal? Also she still seems fat on the sides is that normal? Lol
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- And got the T-shirt
Great news!
Lethargy is totally normal, especially with pain meds.
Keep an eye on her food intake. She MUST eat, and you need to be prepared to handfeed her if necessary.
The leg will probably heal. I'd try to confine her in a smaller place than usual so she won't over do it, but she will need to still keep moving some.
Best wishes to her, and to you too. Keep us posted on how she's doing.
Lethargy is totally normal, especially with pain meds.
Keep an eye on her food intake. She MUST eat, and you need to be prepared to handfeed her if necessary.
The leg will probably heal. I'd try to confine her in a smaller place than usual so she won't over do it, but she will need to still keep moving some.
Best wishes to her, and to you too. Keep us posted on how she's doing.
- Lynx
- Celebrate!!!
I wish you the very best in her recovery! I suggest weighing her daily right now to help ensure she is eating enough. As bpatters notes, making sure she eats is extremely important. I am sure you will watch her like a hawk and notice if she has problems. She needs a really good diet as she will be recovering from the effects of the pregnancy. Be sure to put a lid on the male's cage as a determined male may climb in and you will have to go through all this worry over again.
Pay attention to her mammary glands/nipples. I do not know if they can develop problems if there is no pup emptying them but suspect this could happen. Watch for any signs of tenderness or infection. It is possible warm wet compresses could help if problems develop.
Pay attention to her mammary glands/nipples. I do not know if they can develop problems if there is no pup emptying them but suspect this could happen. Watch for any signs of tenderness or infection. It is possible warm wet compresses could help if problems develop.
Um guys I noticed some blood coming from her vagina. It wasn’t a ton but it was a decent amount. Is this normal after pregnancy / having still borne?