chin's pregnant weight gain

outbackchin · 10-28-2003, 08:09 AM

I am hoping that someone out there can ease my worries.
Sydney, our std gray chin, is pregnant. we are pretty sure she got pregnant on aug 19th (she was in heat and I found roo right after the deed cleaning himself up) which would make her due around dec 8th or 9th. This is her second litter and she was an awesome mommy the first time around. Her top weight with the first pregnancy was 724g...she had two kits (one was 46g and one was 47g). I have been weighing her periodically since aug to keep tabs on her, to see if she really was pregnant. About 3 weeks ago I started to notice that she was gaining about 5 g every couple of days. she was very steady with her weight gain and has been doing great. Last monday (21st) I weighed her at 645g and then on friday (24th) she was up to 675g!!! She gained 30g in 4 days. She was up to 690g last night (27th). she is still over a month away from being due and if she keeps this up, she will be much larger than before. I am thinking that she either has more kits or larger ones this time. but with a month still to go, and most of the weight gain still to come...i am very nervous....should I be? I haven't seen any movement yet, but her tummy is very hard and she is starting some of her pregnancy signs...eating and drinking alot more, her mate roo is constantly checking out her belly (he did this the first time around) and she is sleeping in the wheel more..I think its more comfortable for her. I was thinking of taking sydney to the vet just to make sure she is ok and if she is going to have more than 2 kits or bigger ones, I want to be totally prepared for that outcome. What do you all think? Is this normal?
Please give me any experiences that y'all have had with this and any advice. Thank you!

PA Chinchillas · 10-28-2003, 09:28 AM

She sounds fine

She could be having triplets. Just continue what your doing and see what happens, but my guess is that maybe she's got 3 kits. Maybe larger, who knows, but I would say triplets. Congratulations!

Let us know when the bith is.

Candycane · 10-28-2003, 10:08 AM

It sounds like she is doing just fine. Sometimes you won't feel the babies move until the last couple weeks. Hazel gained some extra weight on her second litter but still only had two kits. There wasn't a significant weight difference between the two litters either.

Her weight gain might level off a bit towards the end as well.

Congrats!

outbackchin · 10-28-2003, 10:15 AM

Thank you, I am feeling a bit more at ease

Candycane · 10-28-2003, 10:22 AM

Good. The best thing you can do is be prepared for the birth. That usually eases some of the anxiety of waiting. As soon as you know that you will be able to deal with whatever happens, you will feel better. I probably sound pretty pesimistic but it did make me feel better knowing that I could handle an emergency or complication. That being said, I'm sure that Sydney will be fine.

outbackchin · 10-29-2003, 06:46 AM

Thank you Candice and Marla....I think I am ready for anything that might happen...the baby emergency kit is ready and I will be keeping a close eye on sydney for the next month. Last night she gave me this look of, will you stop staring at me? she is doing great...I guess I am just so overprotective of my chins, sometimes I freak out...but thats what I have you guys for and my breeder to rope me back down to earth. will definitely keep you updated on her progress and when she has the kits. Thanks again!

Chinnie Girl · 10-29-2003, 10:17 AM

I wouldn't worry. It sounds totally normal. Maybe check for nipples. That may give you an indication on how far along she is. She sure is packing on the pounds. Maybe she has tripplets. Good luck if she does!!!! You will be buzy!

Candycane · 10-29-2003, 05:42 PM

I have a little trick I use to feel Hazel's belly when she was prego. I would get a spoon and put some oats on it. I would put it in front of her face high enough so that she would have to put her paws on the spoon to balance. Then I just stuck my hand on her belly while she ate the oats. Worked like a charm.

outbackchin · 10-30-2003, 06:45 AM

Thats a great idea candice! Did she ever figure out that you were tricking her? My chins after the 2nd or 3rd time of me trying a clever way of getting them to do what I want, figure it out and don't fall for it again. Like with weigh in's...I used to give them a treat and they would sit oh so still on the scale and it would be so easy. Not anymore, they grab the treat and run away (fast) and eat it elsewhere...none of them sit still for weigh in's anymore...am going to have to figure out a new way

Candycane · 10-30-2003, 10:02 AM

She was too busy eating to realize what was going on.

And because there was a spoonful of oats to devour, she just sat there until they were finished.