Question
ballet
hi,we got 2 long haired guinea pigs late 2009 from my little girls pre-school we got a pure white one named ballet and a pure black one named midnite they were sisters, my daughter seen them being born. sadly midnite passed away earlier this year, we were all devastated espec my little girl and ballet, shortly after we got sparkles another female but short haired and multi coloured, then 4 weeks ago we got rusty a lil boy multi coloured long haired guinea pig, so cute and what a personality! now we think both our guinea pigs are pregnant. we have googled as much info as we can and are very concerned about ballet as she is 18mths old and worried she might not make it to meet her babies, we have recieved a lot of mixed conflicting info. so i have a few questions
#1 we assume she will need to have a ceasarian birth because of her age. we think they're about 3weeks at most along.. we got rusty 8th april 2011. how do we know when to take her in for a ceasarian?
#2 do they urinate more frequently closer to labour? and how far along before u feel mogvement in their tummy?
#3 what are the odds of her survival?
#4 how much are do ceasarians cost for guinea pigs? and is there personality the same after a major operation?
and #5 do they need assistance during or after labour? special care or diet?
AnswerWell first of all I'd like to apologize for not getting to all these questions sooner. There was a bit of 'communication issues' and I wasn't able to open these sooner. Again my apologies.
Now to answer your questions.
1. No, you don't need to assume that Ballet will need a C-section to deliver. The general rule of thumb is that we like to breed or at least have a sow pregnant by her first birthday. That's because the pelvic ligaments (not the bones) begin to lose their elasticity in some sows, making delivery impossible. That doesn't mean that all sows will have this happen. My oldest first time mother was almost two years old and did fine.
2. You will find that the sow will drink more as the pregnancy goes on, and that results in more urinating. Typically you will feel the 'quickening' or movement about two weeks prior to delivery.
3. Her odds of survival are good.
4. As to the cost of a C-section, that's very hard to say. You'd get better information from your vet. Different vets charge different fees. Much depends on location.
5. The vast majority of sows, as with most animals, do not need assistance during labor and delivery. In fact most of the time you just get up in the morning and find some extra little eyes looking up at you, all cleaned and ready to go. As for diet, nothing special. Good quality pellets and occasional veggies are enough. Avoid the grocery store pellets with the little colored pieces in them. That's just eye candy for the owner, and has no nutritional value.
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