New Guinea Pig Need Suggestions

[Oreoandtwix]

I just got 2 Guinea pigs yesterday, Oreo is 3 year old female and twix is a 7 month old. The lady who gave them to me did not realize that twix was not fixed, she has had them together for 3-4 weeks. I'm concerned about Oreo if she has become pregnant, if she gives birth how much danger will she be in?

On a second note, Oreos fur is very noted I believe she is a alpaca but I'm not 100% sure, all her pictures she looks blurry because of how her fur is. How do I determine her breed for better care, and how do I groom her properly to remove knots?


Several years back my neighbor rescued over 200 Guinea pigs and had me work and care for 12, all young and short haired, we kept them deprecated from each gender so never had any of these problems come up before.


Twix is very skittish and will only come to me (and bite) if I have food. How shall o go about bonding with him?

On a third note, I made some homemade toys for my Guinea pigs and they love them!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi and welcome!

Can I confirm that Twix is a not neutered boar? In that case, please separate asap!
You can see the difference between a full and a not neutered boar in this thread here: Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

You are welcome to start an ongoing support thread in our pregnancy section where you are welcome to ask any questions and concerns during the pregnancy watch, birth and baby care time. We have got lots of information at the top of the section for new owners who find themselves confronted with an unplanned pregnancy. Unfortunately, the risk for Oreo to have problems is higher because of her age. By now, she's had 1-2 seasons in the presence of Twix, so the likelihood of a pregnancy is high, but not absolute.

The best way to get rid of Oreo's mats is to give her gentle bath in hand-warm water and to try and untangle as much as you can. Then carefully cut out any mats that are still there. Try not to pull on the skin if you can and keep the hair especially at the bum end short; if necessary, give her an overall short haircut for an easy start. The hair will grow back again.
Rough and curly coated guinea pigs are best groomed with coarse comb like you use for an afro look hairdo.
I would recommend to use this shampoo which is specially formulated for long-haired guinea pigs: Posh n Go Conditioning Shampoo 100ml
Alternatively, they also have a shampoo that is safe to use on pregnant sows: Pregnant Sow Shampoo 100ml
Gorgeous Guineas will mail to other countries.

We have got lots more information for new owners via this link here: " Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners

Could you please add your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can adjust any advice and recommendations to what is available and doable in terms of brands, access to good vet care, climate etc. straight away. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!

 

[Oreoandtwix]

Hi and welcome!

Can I confirm that Twix is a not neutered boar? In that case, please separate asap!
You can see the difference between a full and a not neutered boar in this thread here: Boar Care: Bits, Bums & Baths

You are welcome to start an ongoing support thread in our pregnancy section where you are welcome to ask any questions and concerns during the pregnancy watch, birth and baby care time. We have got lots of information at the top of the section for new owners who find themselves confronted with an unplanned pregnancy. Unfortunately, the risk for Oreo to have problems is higher because of her age. By now, she's had 1-2 seasons in the presence of Twix, so the likelihood of a pregnancy is high, but not absolute.

The best way to get rid of Oreo's mats is to give her gentle bath in hand-warm water and to try and untangle as much as you can. Then carefully cut out any mats that are still there. Try not to pull on the skin if you can and keep the hair especially at the bum end short; if necessary, give her an overall short haircut for an easy start. The hair will grow back again.
Rough and curly coated guinea pigs are best groomed with coarse comb like you use for an afro look hairdo.
I would recommend to use this shampoo which is specially formulated for long-haired guinea pigs: Posh n Go Conditioning Shampoo 100ml
Alternatively, they also have a shampoo that is safe to use on pregnant sows: Pregnant Sow Shampoo 100ml
Gorgeous Guineas will mail to other countries.

We have got lots more information for new owners via this link here: " Starter Kit" Of Information Threads For New Owners

Could you please add your country, state/province or UK county to your details, so we can adjust any advice and recommendations to what is available and doable in terms of brands, access to good vet care, climate etc. straight away. Click on your username on the top bar, then go to personal details and scroll down to location. Thank you!

Thank you for your reply, yes I have them seperated I'll try as you suggested and let you know how it goes. I've included a picture of twixes nether region, I believe he is intact but would like a second opinion. They share a pin but bars lay down to separate them.

 

[MerryPip]

He looks like an intact boar to me so separate as soon as possible please and I would keep a very careful eye on Oreo as there is a fair likelihood she may be pregnant....

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your reply, yes I have them seperated I'll try as you suggested and let you know how it goes. I've included a picture of twixes nether region, I believe he is intact but would like a second opinion. They share a pin but bars lay down to separate them.

View attachment 44182

He is definitely an intact boar with clearly visible testicles.

 

[Oreoandtwix]

He looks like an intact boar to me so separate as soon as possible please and I would keep a very careful eye on Oreo as there is a fair likelihood she may be pregnant....

Will do, thank you. I just got them both yesterday from a lady who either didn't realize he was male or thought he was fixed she had them together and when I looked and pointed out to her I thought he was still intact she shrugged it off and said "looks like you'll have babies on your hands." I'd never breed two Guinea pigs for many reasons... She is 3 years old and I know the likely outcome of her giving birth is not good. Thank you

 

[Wiebke]

Will do, thank you. I just got them both yesterday from a lady who either didn't realize he was male or thought he was fixed she had them together and when I looked and pointed out to her I thought he was still intact she shrugged it off and said "looks like you'll have babies on your hands." I'd never breed two Guinea pigs for many reasons... She is 3 years old and I know the likely outcome of her giving birth is not good. Thank you

With good care for the duration of her pregnancy (see our tips on a general good balanced diet and the pregnancy diet), you can go a long way at minimising some of the risks. The fitter mum and pups are the better; it really makes a major difference! It is very important though that you portion control to prevent large babies as much as possible. Unfortunately, the risk in older mums is higher that they have got just one larger pup as the risk of embryos dying in the womb and being re-absorbed is higher.
Oreo can still have a successful pregnancy and birth, so please don't panic. But it is good that you are going into it with your eyes open and at least you will look at lot better after her than her previous owner!

 

[Oreoandtwix]

With good care for the duration of her pregnancy (see our tips on a general good balanced diet and the pregnancy diet), you can go a long way at minimising some of the risks. The fitter mum and pups are the better; it really makes a major difference! It is very important though that you portion control to prevent large babies as much as possible. Unfortunately, the risk in older mums is higher that they have got just one larger pup as the risk of embryos dying in the womb and being re-absorbed is higher. Oreo can have have a successful pregnancy and birth, so please don't panic. But it is good that you are going into it with your eyes open and at least will look at lot better after her than her previous owner!

Thank you I will definitely look into that, firstly I'm going to give her a trim I can't feel her belly or he actual size through her knots so it's concerning, can't tell babie heads from knots right now. Thank you all so much for helping.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you I will definitely look into that, firstly I'm going to give her a trim I can't feel her belly or he actual size through her knots so it's concerning, can't tell babie heads from knots right now. Thank you all so much for helping.

You won't be able to see and feel anything until about the last 2-3 weeks of her 9-10 week pregnancy anyway. If she is pregnant, the babies are tiny at the moment, so don't worry about handling her.

But you can train her to come into a wide tunnel or cardboard box for a pick-up, so it get easier for you in a few weeks' time.
How To Pick Up Your Guinea Pig
Alternatives that allow for a wide load:

 

[Oreoandtwix]

Oreo wouldn't let me near her with scissors she kept crying out before I even stared trimming, so I took an old comb and pick and just slowly unknotted her fur on top and her bottom but couldn't get to her stomach, but she's acting like she feels better, she's running around and talking a lot more then usual, I think her knots were just bothersome and hot.

 

[Wiebke]

Oreo wouldn't let me near her with scissors she kept crying out before I even stared trimming, so I took an old comb and pick and just slowly unknotted her fur on top and her bottom but couldn't get to her stomach, but she's acting like she feels better, she's running around and talking a lot more then usual, I think her knots were just bothersome and hot.

Many guinea pigs don't like being touched on the belly or the bum, especially long-haired ones with knotty hair...

 

[MerryPip]

Oh bless, I bet she feels better just for a bit of TLC. Having so many knots must be really uncomfortable. I'm not surprised she wasn't keen on being touched.

Just go gently and a little at a time. She's obviously not used to being groomed and it can be a bit difficult for any long haired piggy to get used to. I'm sure she will feel much better once she's all sorted and a whole lot lighter too I imagine!