Mum and babies passed away, what to do!

Question
QUESTION: Hi Andy,
We didn't realise but one of our supposedly two males was actually a female, we didn't know it was pregnant and last night found 4 little babies dead in the cage. Not sure how they died, could have been trampled as both piggies were still in the cage. Mum picked up but today passed away as well. We also noticed a patch of hair missing under her front left leg. I am really worried that we didn't give her enough vitamin C during her pregnancy and that is what caused it? I just want to make sure that if that was it, we know for next time. They did eat lots of fresh veg. I haven't told the kids yet they will be devastated in the morning!
Junelle

ANSWER: Hi Junelle

Firstly, I am very sad to hear about your loss, please give my condolences to your children.

To enable me to answer your question please can you tell me

a) Was this the first time (as far as you know) that the female had had babies?

b)How old was she?

Thanks

Andy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,
yes it was the first time she had had babies, she was approx 4 months old.
Thanks
Junelle

Answer
Hi

Thanks for that.

The reason I asked is that if a female doesnt have her first litter before 9 months of age her pelvic bones have fused together causing fatalities to all concerned.

Now that we can rule that out, all I can say is that guinea pig births do involve a relatively high mortality rate, its a sad fact of the species and there must have been gaenacological comlications.

I really hope your kids are ok after what has happened. God bless.

Andy