fatty mcbutter pants

Question
my girl guinea pig bella has gotten a little chubby over the past two weeks.  she was at the vet 2 weeks ago because my boy guinea pig got encephalitis (which he survived by the way, but lost half his body weight and sight in the process and now has quite the head tilt), and they said she was fine, healthy, normal and a good weight.  but she feels fluffier if that makes sense, just sort of... pudgier and softer.  i was trying to see if they'd breed for about a week until i learned about roans.  but he HATES her, so i don't think she's pregnant.  she's also laying around much more now.... i tried to mate them a month ago.... any ideas?  thanks so much!

Answer
Hello Leanne,

It sounds like she's pregnant. It's the right time for her to begin showing. If you are concerned it could be something else, see the vet again, but it really sounds like a pregnancy. I suggest treating her like a pregnant piggy. It shouldn't be too much longer before there will be movement from the pups (usually occurs around the 6th or 7th week) and then you'll know for sure. It could even be a false pregnancy. It's also possible she may have an ovarian cyst, but I think pregnancy is most likely. If you want to know for certain before you can feel the pups move, a vet should be able to take an x-ray and let you know. It's expensive and stressful for the mommy pig though, so it's really best to wait. Good luck. I'm glad to hear that your male is well again. Best wishes for a safe delivery and healthy pups if Bella is pregnant. If she develops any other symptoms of a possible illness though, see the vet.

-kkat
www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs