guinea-pigs

Question
Hello

I just got a normal coated black crested & a normal coated red, yestereday, one of the pet-store staff helped me sex them and as far as I could tell tehy were both males, but I did notice that the black one is rather plump and today when I had them out I noticed that something didnt feel right sticking out of his belly so I turned him over and hes a she! I put my hand on her belly and it was moving around as if the babys were kicking! So I looked at her from above again and it appers she is pregnant! She is so small she onlt looks about eight weeks old, the red one is much smaller then her but she is about seven inches long probly shorter. I didnt know guinea-pigs could be pregnant at such a size. Right now they are living in a large 3x2x2 foot cage with water bottle/dish yesteredays news bedding adn a few chews/hay and a hiding spot. I know to take the male out but do I need to take such a tiny male out? (he'd fit into a mug and there'd still be room in the mug) He is ither a runt or only fourgoing to the bath room fine, I'm just concerened that she is too young and may have problems when in labor and with the pups. Is there anything I should do to make give her extra energy to have the pups? If teh pups are kicking now when will they be born? How big will they be after all shes only a few inchs longer then the tiny male. Any advice you can give will be aprecated, thankx

Answer
Hello,
For the record, my vet says that any female guinea pig you get at a pet store is most likely pregnant as they don't separate the males and females.
I called my exotic animal specialist up. He said that she is probably older than 8 weeks, more like 12 weeks old. They can get pregnant at 8 weeks but it's rare. Mix her hay half and half Timothy hay and Alfalfa. Make sure she gets lots of protein and double doses of Vitamin C.
Take the male out, never underestimate testosterone.
She shouldn't have problems with labor, she's so young that her pelvic bones won't be fused. Since you can feel the babies moving, it should be within the next 2 weeks. The babies should be the normal size.
Good luck! If you are still concerned, you can take her to an exotic animal specialist. Always better safe than sorry.