My foster guinea pig gave birth this afternoon!

[alexahs]

My foster pig, Sophie [commonly known as Sophie Finklestein in our home] gave birth this afternoon to three healthy pups. Mama and babies seem to be doing well and holding their own. I'm incredibly relieved as we didn't have much information on Sophie beforehand. She came to the rescue already far along in her pregnancy and she's only been living with me for the past two or so weeks. But, believe me, she's become a part of my family in that time and I'm seriously considering adopting her and her three babies. Maybe I'm not such a good foster since I've adopted every pig or bunny that's entered my home. But that's beside the point...

Preliminary sexing shows two little boys and one sweet girl [who is also the runt of the litter]. But they've all been nursing and Sophie has been the most wonderful mom so far. I was blessed enough to witness the birth and she was just amazing. And to think we could've lost her all because someone senselessly bred her to their boar, "for fun." That makes me sick...but the miracle of three healthy babies and one nurturing mama makes it hard to stay angry.

I took some pictures this evening and have already handled mama and babies. We have an appointment with the vet on Monday morning to ensure everyone's healthy, but I have no concerns at the moment. That being said, it's pigture time! The pictures are not the best, but it was all I could do to get the little ones to sit still long enough for me to snap a photo!

Are they cute, or what?! Any name suggestions?

 

[Becknutt]

The black baby is super cute!!

I saw the tri color and the first thing that came to my mind is Neopolitan ice cream. lol. He/she is divided into 3 equal sections just like it. I think Neopolitan would be a cute name.

 

[~BunBuns~]

They are adorable!

-April and Bunbuns

 

[cmh9023]

I've never seen baby guinea pigs before. They are TOO cute!!!

 

[tonyshuman]

oh my!! so cute!! I'm also amazed that GPs are born with eyes open and lots of fur! that's pretty unusual in the small furry world--except for wild hares i guess. mice, rats, bunnies, etc (i think) are all born hairless and blind!

that first one looks like a little toy GP!:biggrin2:

 

[SnowyShiloh]

They are so cute! I also didn't know they were born with fur and open eyes and running around. Neato. Is the girl the black one? How big are they? Are they afraid of people when they're born? They're so interesting! I've never had a piggy and never really interacted with any either, just seen them at pet stores. What are they like?

 

[Bo B Bunny]

That first one is fweeeping my nameeeee! ahhhhhhhhhhh!!! He's too cute!

:hearts:

 

[michele]

Oh how sweet they are so adorable! Congratulations and have fun with those babies!

 

[tundrakatiebean]

SOOOO ADORABLE!!! They look so cuddly! :biggrin2:lucky you getting to play with baby piggies!

 

[~Bracon~]

Sooo cute, I imagend they'd look more like baby rabbits when there first born

 

[JadeIcing]

How abot Neo?

Becknutt wrote:

The black baby is super cute!!

I saw the tri color and the first thing that came to my mind is Neopolitan ice cream. lol. He/she is divided into 3 equal sections just like it. I think Neopolitan would be a cute name.

 

[cheryl]

Oh my gosh....i have never ever seen a baby guinea pig before.....they're so cute

Cheryl

 

[alexahs]

Thank you, thank you. They are cute, aren't they?! I had trouble going to sleep last night as I wanted to just hold, cuddle, and watch them forever. It was hard to turn off the light and go to bed.

All of the babies and mama seem to be doing well this morning. They have been nursing on and off and I've already caught them nibbling on some hay and pellets. Sophie has been eating, but not as much as usual - I'll have to keep an eye on her, but I think she's just been busy with her new little ones. And the pups have been popcorning and tearing around their cage, so I know they're doing well.

I weighed Sophie and the babies last night and will keep a close eye on all of them. But, I also need to stop worrying and obsessing - I need to enjoy the miracle for what it is rather than keep waiting for something bad to happen. I've just become so attached in this short time and as an animal lover, those cuties got me - hook, line, and sinker!

I think we've decided on some names for them. Thanks for all of the awesome suggestions! The first born, the black one, we're going to call Miracle. And the middle tri-colored baby is going to be named Neopolitan [Neo for short], and the baby will be Isabelle [Izzy]. What do you think?

I'm planning on contacting the rescue this afternoon and discussing what needs to happen for me to outright adopt everyone. I'm in love...

And, don't worry...more pictures will surely follow today and the coming days ahead.

 

[Becknutt]

Yay! Congrats, I hope you get to keep them!! I have never been able to foster, I always fall in love. In history, I was only able to give up one kitty and she went to a close friend.

Adorable names for adorable babies!

 

[tamnjo]

omg! ive wanted a pigger for forever! if only you lived closer:brownbunny

 

[missyscove]

They're all just adorable!

 

[alexahs]

Well, it's day two and still mama and babies are doing well. In fact, the previously nice, clean cage has been littered with poops. He he! Only in a guinea pig or rabbit forum is it politically correct to talk about poop. LOL!

Everyone keeps commenting about the little black one. And, though I hate to play favorites...he's mine. Truth be told, I've fallen in love with all of them. And I've finalized things with the rescue organization Sophie came to me from, and they're officially mine! I'm now the proud owner of6 piggers! Two sows from a previous foster/adoption and now Sophie and the three babies! Which, you know, is really crazy since I'm also owned by 3 [soon to be 5] buns, 2 hamsters, and my dog. Not to mention my roommate's dog and her kitty trio. So we've got a busy home with a tremendous fur-family. But it's all good. How could you go wrong with this cuteness?

Baby Miracle...and what a miracle he is.

Little Neopolitan...

Baby Izzy on day two.

A trio on day two. Don't they look like a cookie with creme filling?

Mama Sophie a day after the babies were born.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

They are so cute! I love the names! neo is perfect and looks like Neopolitin Ice Cream for sure!

I can't imagine how busy your house is and adding more LOL! You are great!

 

[tonyshuman]

i like izzy too now! she looks cuter in the latest pic. guinea pigs are my favorite pet after rabbits! good luck with your growing zoo!

 

[TinysMom]

Wow - I just googled for information on guinea pigs and giving birth.....it truly is a miracle they're ok. I read that about 20-25% of pregnant does will die before giving birth or in the process (if I read it right).

Peg