Pets and Puberty: A Guide for Owners and Breeders

Understanding Calcium Deficiency In Pregnant Guinea Pigs

Pregnant guinea pigs require extra dietary calcium to support foetal skeleton development and lactation. This puts them at an increased risk of calcium deficiency during pregnancy, particularly if they have had previous pregnancies and they are not receiving adequate calcium in their diet. They can give birth up to five times per year if continuously allowed to mate, and calcium deficiency can occur at any time during pregnancy, but it's most common in the couple of weeks leading up to the birth. Calcium deficiency may not sound too serious, but it can cause organ failure and subsequent death if it's severe. Here's an overview of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment approach for calcium deficiency in guinea pigs:

Symptoms

Symptoms of calcium deficiency include loss of appetite and muscle spasms. Your guinea pig may become dehydrated, which will cause them to urinate less frequently. Additionally, low mood is common and this often presents as a guinea pig becoming withdrawn, trying to hide and being unhappy about being handled.

Diagnosis And Treatment

Your vet will diagnose your guinea pig by taking details of their diet, previous pregnancies and current symptoms. They can carry out a blood test to check your guinea pig's calcium level, which will help them understand how best to get their levels back within the normal range.

Your guinea pig will be prescribed a course of calcium supplements, and the dosage will be dependent on the severity of the deficiency. Your vet will check your guinea pig's calcium levels regularly to ensure they remain within the normal range for the duration of their pregnancy and during lactation. They will also make dietary recommendations to help you ensure your guinea pig is getting enough calcium, and they may recommend a brand of food that's specifically designed to support sows during pregnancy.

In addition to their dry food pellets, you should provide your guinea pig with fresh vegetables every day. Vegetables that are high in calcium and suitable for guinea pigs include Mache lettuce, spinach, dandelion greens, parsley and kale.

If your pregnant guinea pig is showing signs of calcium deficiency, avoid the temptation to diagnose her yourself and simply increase her dietary calcium. The symptoms of calcium deficiency are similar to the symptoms of pregnancy toxaemia, which is a form of blood poisoning that can be fatal. You should always have your guinea pig examined and diagnosed by your vet, so schedule an appointment as soon as you notice any of the symptoms listed above.