When should we expect the Cavvy pups

Question
QUESTION: Our little girl (shadowed) is VERY pregnant. I know that her time is coming soon and that they are only pregnant for around 78 days so any time now, what should we be noticing as time grows closer?
Signs:
Fully plump belly (round on both sides)
Pup movement can be felt on both sides and in the middle of her tummy
Drinking about 1 bottle of water a day
eating grass like a fat kid eating a big mac
eating more than before she was pregnant (pellets)
Laying on her side and more willing to be held and cuddled than before she was pregnant

We are thinking she is due no later than the 4th of August but I cannot be sure of her exact conception date. Her and "Cappy B" (her mate) did not hit it off right at first. They are seperated and will not be back together unless we get him fixed. I dont want to do this to her ever again! I want to make sure we are prepared for her delivery with all the right things for her and her pups.

Thank you

ANSWER: It's perfectly normal that the sow doesn't accept the boar right away. He will not be allowed to come near her until SHE says so. Just as with any species (particularly human) the boys will continue to try to wear the girls down, but will not be allowed to breed until the female says so.

Size isn't always an indicator of how many or how soon. I have sows that can look barely pregnant and give birth to four pups. I have others that look like they're going to have a dozen, but only deliver two.

When you feel the movement the mother is about two weeks away. If you run you hand gently down her back and slide one finger between her pelvic bones (just below where a tail would be) you will feel two rather sharp bones. They're normally very close to one another, about 1/8 of an inch apart. When she's within a couple of days of delivery those bones begin to spread to about 1/4 in. At that time you can almost get your finger between them. Don't force it, just feel so you get an idea of where she's at.

You don't have to do anything to prepare. She will do it all. Once the first pup is delivered it takes less than an hour for the entire litter to come. If you see her avoiding the pups just leave her alone. She won't allow them to nurse until she has completely cleaned out the uterus of all placentas, etc. Sometimes this can take several hours. But when completed she will hover over them and nurse them.

Get your camera ready. You have a fun surprise coming. They are born looking completely furred, full set of teeth, eyes open and ready to run. They are adorable.

The gestation is typically 70 days. So she should be delivering very soon. Good luck, and send pictures!

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1st born  

2nd and 3rd born   QUESTION: Our babies were born at 2:00PM HST. She had three beautiful little ones. 2 take after their daddy with the curly hair (Cappy B is 1/2 hairless & 1/2 crested) the last one is slick back like her mommy. They are perfect. She had one while I was out side and the next came out when I walked in. She birthed one placenta and then out slid the last one (little slick haired) she bled a bit and did a great job. The second baby was not getting cleaned very fast and I took the sack off its little nose so it could breath. She then finished the first born and went to the second. She did great. We cleaned the cage and tried to clean her with a warm wet rag. She did not fight it. I got off a small amount of blood and placed her and the triplets back in the clean cage. They are happy and snuggling with their momma. Thank you for everything!

Raven S

Answer
Oh THANK YOU sooo much for the pigtures! The babies are adorable and look wonderfully healthy. Isn't it amazing how nature provides for these first time moms. The first born looks like a Teddy although Texel babies look very similar at birth.  From the pictures I don't think any of them are going to be smooth haired like mom.  Time will tell.

Congratulations. And I'm so happy for you that you got to see the blessed event. It's always a miracle to see a birth of any kind, but cavies are special because they look so much like their parents when they're born. Rabbits and mice are hairless, eyes closed and totally helpless at birth. Cavies are just born ready to cuddle.

Enjoy every moment, and send pigtures as they grow. I've never gotten over the thrill of seeing the newborns and seeing how fast they develop.