Update
@craftyqueen2007 (151)
United States
February 1, 2007 9:35pm CST
Okay so I posted something saying that my guinea pig had babies and I was panicked because I didn't know what to do for them. Well, Mama did what she thought was best and rejected one of them and keeps the other close to her side. So once I figured that out, it was ALMOST too late. But lucky for me, I have a great husband who took one look and said he's not doing well (reason he said that was because the baby was laying on one side and refused to stand up and walk and try and nurse with the mama, and I'm pretty sure she didn't even allow him to nurse and he was very weak). I picked him up and we tried to give him water, he didn't want it. I told my husband to warm up some milk and he did it and while he was doing that, I looked at the baby square in the face and told him that he was going to make it whether he wanted to right now or not because he has someone who does love him and wants him around! That baby shaped up and drank some milk and within about 30 minutes or so, he was walking and squeaking and just talking up a storm. It was almost like a miracle had occurred. But he's doing really good. In fact he gave me a big scare. I went in to get him since it was time for feeding and he wasn't in the basket (at this point he is in a basket where my other animals can't get him and he's too small to fit in anything else since all the spaces are huge) and I started making the same noises as him and kicked all my other animals out of my bedroom and looked under my dresser and there he was looking at me talking LOL!!! Safe as can be, but gave me a heart attack. Smart little bugger.
The one that the mama keeps near her is doing really well. He doesn't like being separated that's for sure. If I pick him up and take him away for a little while just to check on him and make sure he's happy and healthy, he starts squawking like I just did a crime! LOL!!!! They are adorable and are doing very well!
2 responses
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
2 Feb 07
Do NOT give cow's milk!!! Not a good idea. If it worked, it's just an odd coincidence. That's not meant for them.
It would definitely be a good idea for you to buy a gram scale. Weigh the babies. If one isn't gaining, separate the mom and that baby out and keep them together for awhile until that one gets a chance to nurse. If that baby is unable to nurse, handfeed. But not with milk! Use a 1 cc (standard tuberculin) syringe, and Critical Care (you can buy some at an animal hospital, or www.oxbowhay.com or even www.bunnybunchboutique.com). Be careful not to feed too quickly. If you have nothing else, give pedialyte for fluids.
For ideas of baby proofing your cage, see www.guineapigcages.com I use cardboard around the sides personally.
Please read the information about pregnancy and babies on www.guinealynx.info and do buy a gram scale!
Guinea pigs have very very delicate digestive systems and I would recommend that you don't give any more milk.
1 person likes this
@craftyqueen2007 (151)
• United States
2 Feb 07
well, I took the other baby out of the cage today and left the one who had the issues in with the mama and he went right over to her and started nursing, I wanted to give him a chance to drink her milk without the other one taking over. So it worked. Mama Almond finally accepted her baby, I am very relieved and happy that it all worked out at least for right now. I'm still checking on them every hour and making sure everyone is happy, he's still kicking and talking, so I know it's a good sign.
Thanks!
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
2 Feb 07
If at all possible, make sure to weigh them too to monitor. It's hard to see weight loss visually, especially on babies, before it's far too late.
I bought the Good Cook scale at Wal-Mart for less than $30. It works quite well. You could probably even find some type of kitchen gram scale on www.freecycle.org too.
1 person likes this
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
2 Feb 07
It's awesome to hear the good news! We are looking at getting a couple of piggies when the local recuse place is restocked. I almost fell over when she said that they had NO guinea pigs there ... but it made me feel good knowing that means they were all adpoted.
Keep up the great work with the babies :]
