pregnant GP at 1 year

Question
I am very worried!  We have been very careful at keeping our
guineas (1 boar & two sows) separated but while on vacation I
learned our caretaker thought they would have more fun
together!  They did indeed!  Now we have a pregnant sow (or
maybe both) and they are just shy of a year old.  I am terrified
that the pelvic bones may have already fused and they will die in
childbirth.  I already lost a sow when she was mishandled at a
vet's clinic and she died from stress.  What can we do to help
these two survive childbirth?  

Answer
Hi Joanne,

Exactly how old are your sows?  If your sows are a year or less they should be just fine.  The bones really fuse at around a year and often not until later.  I have never lost a sow that has been breed at a year, however I have lost one to an 18 month breeding and also had sows survive an 18 month breeding.  Many piggies over a year old have successful pregnancies with no complications, but because the pelvic bones can fuse together the risk involved in a breeding after a year of age is increased.

Here's how to tell if the bones have fused.  A guinea pig's pregnancy will last from 68 to 72 days from the date of conception.  During the last couple of weeks she will begin to dilate.  To know if she is dilating you can place a finger immediately in front of her vent (private parts).  Before she dilates it will feel like she has one large bone there.  When she begins to dilate you will be able to feel two separate bones, eventually reaching the point where there is the width of an adult thumb between the two bones.  When this happens she is within 24 hours or so of delivery. What you need to do is watch for this dilation.  If one or both of the sows show no sign of dilation or is actually pushing without results then you will need a vet to do a C-section.

An experienced vet can do this, but it is costly.  Of course a vet could also x-ray the piggies and tell you if the bones are fused or not.  You need to make sure that the vet you take them to (if you decide to take them in) is an exotics vet who specializes in guinea pigs and other small animals.  I really can't over stress this.  Also do not take either of them during the middle of the pregnancy as this is the most dangerous time as far as stress is concerned.  Late pregnancy is a better time to take them.

There are a few other things to do to help them through a healthy pregnancy:  

Double the amount of vitamin C they get daily.  I use a powdered form from a health food store.  For pregnant sows they need 1/8 tsp to 32 oz of water, or 1/2 tsp to 1 gallon of water.  This is just easier to monitor than giving fresh veggies and I know both sows in a cage are getting enough vitamin C.

If either sow stops drinking as much as she usually does give her as much red leaf lettuce and other high water content fruits and veggies as she will take.  Decreased food and water intake is the first symptom of pregnancy toxemia.

Keep them from getting too warm.  You can use frozen 2 liter bottles of water in the cage/hutch, but an air conditioned room is better.  They should not be in temperatures over 80 degrees F.

Don't handle either of them too much.  When you handle them, make sure the rump and tummy are well supported.

Pregnant guinea pigs look ready to explode before they actually give birth.  This is normal and nothing to be concerned about.  The pups will be born will open eyes, teeth and fully furred (fully baked :) )!  They are a joy to watch.

I hope this helps. If you have any other concerns I will be glad to help.

Annie