BABIES!

Question
Hi there
We have two female guinea pigs that we got at Christmas. Unbeknownst to us one of them was pregnant. The vet advised me to separate the two before the birth which I now think was the wrong thing to do. The babies were born the day before yesterday, 3 of them. Unfortunately one didn't survive but the other two are looking good. My problem is now trying to re introduce the other sow. Can I and if so how? I put her in the cage a minute ago and she quickly looked as though she was going to attack (pounced on) one of the little ones. Please help as I don't know what to do,
Sarah

Answer
Your vet was wrong to advise you to remove the other pig if it was a sow.  A boar, yes.  The mother comes into heat within hours of delivery and the dad will breed her back.

Guinea pigs are awesome parents. The other sow will not hurt those babies. She may push them around a bit at first, but she will become a good 'nanny' to the litter.  I've even had sows produce milk who were not pregnant and they shared the nursing duties for the mom.

It's common for at least one baby to be stillborn. It's actually more the norm than to have a full litter survive. Just watch the other sow and make sure she isn't trying to hurt the babies. My experience is that they will not. The pushing around is not hurting them. Give her a short time and you'll see her cleaning and cuddling with the new pups.

You might also watch for signs of pregnancy in the other pig. If they were housed together before you got them there's a good chance another litter is on the way. But there will be two moms to take over 'diaper duty' and they will be fine.