Breeder or pet shop.

[squeaker]

Hi.

I decided not to buy from a pet shop after a friend got some that needed treatment at the vet after a week. One pig died so she went to a breeder. The breeder told her she should wait a week before introducing another (in case it was ill too) and to put a small teddy in with the other one while it was on her own!!! The breeder then insisted on checking her guinea pig over when she collected her new friend. When she got there the breeder looked at her guinea pig. The breeder then told her that the 'boy' she had bought was actually a girl!!! The breeder then had to find her a girl to go with it instead of a boy and gave her one of her own that wasn't meant to be for sale as she didn't want the little girl to be on her own. I then went to the same breeder to get my boys, at least she could tell girls and boys apart!! Had mine 3 weeks now and they are getting bigger all the time.

Sarah

[admin]

Hi.

I decided not to buy from a pet shop after a friend got some that needed treatment at the vet after a week. One pig died so she went to a breeder. The breeder told her she should wait a week before introducing another (in case it was ill too) and to put a small teddy in with the other one while it was on her own!!! The breeder then insisted on checking her guinea pig over when she collected her new friend. When she got there the breeder looked at her guinea pig. The breeder then told her that the 'boy' she had bought was actually a girl!!! The breeder then had to find her a girl to go with it instead of a boy and gave her one of her own that wasn't meant to be for sale as she didn't want the little girl to be on her own. I then went to the same breeder to get my boys, at least she could tell girls and boys apart!! Had mine 3 weeks now and they are getting bigger all the time.

Sarah

Hi Sarah,

I assume when you say 'a small teddy' you mean of the soft toy variety? It's also a name of a breed of guinea pig (cavy)! I too feel you are safer going to breeder with a good reputation, at least they can tell boys (boars) from girls (sows) lol.
Something worried me when I read you post. You friend remaining guinea pig that turned out to be a girl (sow), well you friend 'thought' she had two boys (boars) didn't she? If the one that died was a boar, then it's quite likely that her little girl could be pregnant. Male litter mates should be separated from their sister and their mum's at around 3 weeks old to prevent this happening. Obviously it wasn't your friends fault. Tell her to keep an eye on her, if she ends up having babies then I'm sure we can give you plenty of advice and even help find homes for babies.
good luck to you and your friend.

admin.

[ashley]

Hello. I'm Ashley, Sharons friend that she spoke about.

Hi admin, yes it was a cuddly toy not another guinea pig, ha ha!! The one that died was definate a boy cos the vet saw him. So my one might have babies? It's been 4 weeks now so she would have had them by now wouldn't she? Don't know much about them having babies. How many could she have? Is there any way if I can tell if she's going to have them?

Ash x

[admin]

I pm'd Ashley about this. But felt others might appreciate advice too.

All Ashely can really do it watch closely for weight gain. Experienced breeder can tell if a guinea pig it pregnant by feeling the firmness of her belly underneath, but it requires much experience and you can still be wrong. Gestation is 10 weeks. So if there have been no babies after they have been apart fro 10 weeks then you won't be getting any. However you could get some much sooner than that. If the female pig (sow) does look like she may be pregnant, you may be able to feel movements in the last few weeks of pregnant. Any guinea pig that may be pregnant should be handled VERY carefully and all her weight supported, only handle when necessary.
Don't let a pregnant sow be in with a boar at the end of pregnancy. If she has the babies when he is in he will mate her immediately after (sometimes trampling on babies in the way), and the whole cycle will start all over again; resulting in one very tired mummy piggy, prone to illness and problems.

admin.

[admin]

Just been messaged by Ashley. 2 baby piggies have arrived!!! A friend of mine in the area is going to go round and sex them for her. We'll also help find homes if necessary. Mummy piggy is VERY young to be having babies, but appears to be coping.