My Pregnant Pig

Question
Miracle is about 2 - 2 1/2 yrs. and for the first time (oops my mistake) she is preg.  I am keeping a close eye on her, can't feel any movement from her belly yet but she's gettin' big and down there (you know)it is about a 1/2" wide.  I have separated her since she is very nervous and stays in her pigloo all day but should I put the other 2 yr. old female with her or just let her be alone as she is?  ]
She's not drinking alot (which is opposite of her habit) and all she seems to be eating is red-leaf lettuce and cucumbers & alot of it.  She is not eating carrot, cantalope or oranges which is worrying me.  She is pooping so are most of these things pretty normal and how or what can I do to make her the most comfortable?  
Thanx in advance for your help.
Ruthie, Miracle, Stinky and Pepper (the gracious donor male piggy)

Answer
Hello Ruth,

Miracle is going to need to see a vet. At 2 and 1/2 years, her pelivic bones have long since hardened making delivery extremely difficult and likely not possible at all. She and the pups will most likely die unless she has a C-Section. If you know when she got pregnant, you can figure out her due date (generally 68 -70 days after conception) and plan the C-section date with your vet accordingly to give the pups the greatest chance of survival without risking mom. If not, your vet may be able to figure out a due date based on how developed the fetuses are. As for care until then, keeping her by herself may be best if it isn't upsetting her (I'm not sure if she was nervous before you seperated her or after) because it will insure she's getting all she needs to eat and drink. If she's eating watery veggies (like lettuces and cucumber) she won't drink as much. If she's still eating and everything is still coming out the other end, she's likely ok. If she stops eating, pooping, or peeing, then she needs to see a vet ASAP. She will need more vitamin c and calcium (Kale is an excellent source of both). Also, if you haven't already, switch her to alphalpha hay. It also has more calcium that she and the pups will need. She should stay on alphalpha until the pups are weaned and they should stay on it until they are a few months old. Make sure she has all she wants to eat and drink. Once she starts showing, don't handle her unless you have too and always be sure to support her tummy if you do. You should feel movement about 3 to 4 weeks before the pups are due. I reccommend reading all you can about Guinea Pig pregnancy before the time comes so you will be ready. I'll send you a few links to get you started. Hopefully everything will be ok and all will survive so Pepper and Miracle will have a beautiful healthy little family. If you have any other questions or anything I said was confusing or you just need more information, let me know and I'll be glad to help anyway I can. Good luck!

http://www.guinealynx.info/reproduction.html

http://www.diddly-di.fsnet.co.uk/breeding.htm

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/2517/pregnant.htm

http://www.lienanimal.com/z_guineapreg.pdf

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/pets/guinea-pig-faq/section-8.html

-kkat
www.geocities.com/abyssinianguineapigs