Expert: Nicole Bury - 11/3/2009

Question
Hi--we think our little pig is pregnant.  (She is housed with another pig we just found out is a male. Oops. Our bad.)

She's rounded and when you hold her, she feels "lumpy" for lack of a better term.  What can I do for her? Should I separate her from her buddy? (They're going to be so distraught.) Does she need any special food or vitamins? Should I provide her with special nesting materials? And how will I know when she's getting close to giving birth?

My poor little Panda. :(

Worse--what do I do with the babies? I don't want to give them to a pet shop. What if they feed them to a snake?? OMG. I'm panicking. Help!

Thank you!

Answer
Hello Cynthia!
I suggest keeping them together until the babys come. Whats done is done right? Separate him from the babys though.
Look at the local shelters if you don't trust the pet shops (I don't). After working this job for under a month now, I would never buy a pet from a pet store! Tell your closest shelter about the pregnancy and see if they will take them. That way they go to loving homes that the shelter (hopefully) pre-screens. Thats how I got my guinea pigs, a shelter.
Treat Panda as you normally would. Don't adjust her menu but keep the handling very gentle. Don't poke or prod her belly.
If you have any more questions, just ask!