Reproduction

Newborn caviesThinking of breeding from your pet rabbit, guinea pig or chinchilla? Think first about whether you are happy to keep or find homes for the babies and whether you are prepared to risk the health of the mother.

You must also be aware that there are genetic problems when breeding certain animals that can result in deformed babies. One example of this is the Dalmation or the Roan gene in guinea pigs. (See Eva Johansson's page)

Already a breeder or getting started? The above applies to you to you too but you've probably already thought it through and made your decision.

Fertility in rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and similar animals is based on their natural life in the wild.  Breeding is timed for when food is available and the days are longer.  Animals are often fit after a lean winter followed by a spring return to better eating so they are fit and well muscled.  Pregnancy is timed so that abundant food will be available for the mother while she is pregnant and weaning and for the young once they are weaned.

Baby rabbits in nestWith rabbits you should ideally not breed when they are moulting as this already creates a heavy demand on the rabbit's resources. Low fertility can be improved by feeding vitamin E in the form of wheatgerm or wheatgerm oil and fresh parsley prior to mating. In the wild these animals naturally mate as food becomes more abundant and this coincides with increased daylight hours.

Parsley and wheatgerm supplementation is especially useful where a rabbit or guinea pig has previously produced only one very large baby as it helps increase both the egg count in the female and the sperm count in the male.

Guinea pigs in the wild would naturally breed while quite young. The guinea pig sow's pelvic bones are flexible until she is 7 - 9 months, after which they harden so that if she has not had a litter before she is a year old it may be difficult for her babies to be born naturally.  Just before labour these bones part to allow the birth.  Sows mated for the first time after 1 year may require a caesarian section or die in labour if the pelvic bones cannot separate to accomodate the birth of the babies.

Anecdotal evidence from breeders suggests that if a guinea pig sow needs a caesarian section she is far more likely to survive the operation if the vet only does a caesarian but does not perform a hysterectomy.

Ensure adequate calcium and protein in the diet of pregnant animals by feeding a little extra Alfalfa and make sure that guinea pigs get an extra supply of vitamin C to ensure strong teeth and bones and help prevent toxaemia.

Feed plenty of good quality hay and grass. Hot weather increases the likelihood of Toxaemia and very cold weather increases the risk of the new born animals getting chilled.

Raspberry leaf fed in the letter part of pregnancy and after the birth helps tone the muscles of the uterus and improve milk production. See also Lactation and Handrearing

Toxaemia

Toxaemia is a life threatening condition that affects pregnant animals. It is most likely to occur in the week or two before and after delivery. It is not uncommon for animals to go off their food before giving birth but if they are listless you may have a problem. If she is also salivating then the chances are she has toxaemia.

There are two types of toxaemia. The first is where the animal's diet has not included enough protein and the animal becomes ketonic. This is a life threatening condition and the animal often has a distinctive smell, similar to that of nail polish.  The second type is due to calcium deficiency and is easier to treat if caught in time.

Liquid calcium supplementation (Osteocare Liquid, and oral rehydration solutions such as Diaoralyte can help if you recognise the condition soon enough.

Caesarian section may be necessary to save the life of the mother. Veterinary treatment should be sought as a matter of urgency.

Overweight animals are more prone to toxaemia as are those carrying larger litters.  Heat and stress increase the risk of toxaemia in these animals.