Unexpected pregnancy in adopted pigs

[Lynx]

Looking forward to the pics! I bet you are enjoying them all!

[ItsaZoo]

I’m so glad they’re doing well. It’s really exciting but I would have been a nervous wreck.

[ph08fhf]

Hello All!

Here's my promised update, followed by a thank-you treat in the form of adorable picture: hold on to your hats!

Weight Updates (in grams)
Betty’s family: 10 Days since birth
Betty: Nov 16, 673 (-6); Nov 17, 678 (+5); Nov 18, 676 (-2); Nov 19, 699 (+23):

• Total weight change Birth Date-Nov 19: +17

Baby-Betty: Nov 16, 167 (+12); Nov 17, 173 (+6); Nov 18, 179 (+6); Nov 19, 192 (+13):

• Total weight change Birth Date-Nov 19: +74

June’s Family: 9 Days since birth
June: Nov 16, 570 (+11); Nov 17, 572 (+2); Nov 18, 588 (+16); Nov 19, 602 (+14):

• Total weight change Birth Date-Nov 19: +56

Baby June Brown Face: Nov 16, 144 (+18); Nov 17, 155 (+11); Nov 18, 163 (+8); Nov 19, 171 (+8):

• Total weight change Birth Date-Nov 19: +64

Baby June Darker Face: Nov 16, 145 (+19); Nov 17, 150 (+5); Nov 18, 157 (+7); Nov 19, 171 (+4):

• Total weight change Birth Date-Nov 19: +61

OK, let's talk sexing... Here are some pictures taken today:

Baby Betty - Day 10


Baby June Brown Face - Day 9


Baby June Darker Face - Day 9


What do you think? I'm thrown! I have additional pics if that would be helpful...

And now, what you've all been waiting for!
In chronological order



















Actually worried that I'm aging myself by smiling so much ;) <3

[daisymay]

I would guess all girls but if in doubt vet visit is in order as nearing separating day if any boys. I love picture 4 where it looks like black and white piggy walking on tippy paws. Very dainty looking. Last picture very kissable lips. Glad mums and bubs doing well!

[ph08fhf]

As a academic, I feel I should add acknowledgements ;)

At least 50% credit for the success of this ‘project’ goes to Lynx, daisymay, mmeadow, and the GineaLynx resources.

Feel free to use these acknowledgements in future funding applications ;)

[Lynx]

What a great bunch of pictures! I especially like the ones of the pups in the striped cuddle cup with the lovely flower background!

I am tending toward thinking they are all females too. Let me know if I can add some of these pics (mainly the sexing pics) permanently to your topic for future readers. Perhaps another set of sexing pics in a couple weeks? You take excellent photos!

I'm also wondering if, after 3 or 4 weeks, I could get my daughter (if she is able) or someone else to make a nice graph of the weights, like the ones on the bottom of this page:
https://www.guinealynx.info/pup_weights.html

[ph08fhf]

I would love that, Lynx! Please feel free to use/reuse/save anything that is useful.

I've invited you as an editor to an online spreadsheet (through google) where I have uploaded the data I have so far. I've included the weekly weights I do as standard course for the two mothers pre-birth. The document is live, so I can continue to upload weights in the coming weeks. If you'd like better-resolution versions of any of the pics I have shared, let me know and I can send them

Here is a general 'viewer's' link to the chart also: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing

[Lynx]

I love your doc! Won't do anything with it until we have at least a month's worth of weights. Love how you have changed the background color for weight losses (I sure hope the moms start putting on some real weight! being a mom is very taxing).

I will mess with the pics another day (tired). And hopefully not forget!

I do think regular weighing is very important - with ill pigs, once a day; with healthy guinea pigs, once a week. It is so helpful to have concrete info so one is not just guessing that the pups are gaining weight appropriately.

Such adorable little guinea pigs!

[PooksiedAnimals]

I'm leaning towards boy for baby Betty, only because the Y isn't clearly defined.. Can you feel a penile ridge or get anything to pop out?

[mmeadow]

Agreeing with Pooksie--Betty looks (probably) male.

[ph08fhf]

Update:

Last to me I cleaned out the family (4ish days ago), I thought I might have smelled something off-like a fishy odor. This was only when I got deep into the kitchen areas, where basically all of the pee was (the fleece flippers were surprisingly unused). I waited until the next clean to check I wasn’t imagining things and to keep an eye on everyone. Today was the next clean and I smelled it again. There was a lot of pee, understandably.

Any thoughts on what might be causing this? A vet trip will be in order soon anyway, but should I expedite it? And should I take them to the local vet (who deals with exotics) or go the extra mile to the 4-5h away vet (who has an exotics specialist dept)? I’ve been mixing their Timothy hay with alfalfa, could this have anything to do with it?

Addendum: everyone is getting along wonderfully, otherwise. Healthy appetites, still gaining weight (a little slowly for June, but she is certainly eating), drinking well, active, shiny coats, no signs of pain on urination, defecation, or otherwise, no moodiness or temper….

[daisymay]

I Goggled fish smelling odour urine in guinea pigs and got: If you pick up this smell, there are three possible causes: The anal sack needs to be cleaned. Your male guinea pig has a sperm rod. Your guinea pig has a urinary tract infection or cystitis. https://www.google.com/search?q=fish+sm ... e&ie=UTF-8