scary question

[Cailet]

so this is a kinda scary question for me, and i think its highly unlikely but better safe then sorry.

What does a pregnant chin feel like, I touched Sandys stomach this morning and it feels different then Kari's Im hoping that its just cause shes a different chin, it's bgger rounder and firmer. I think it is unlikely that she is pregnant but im not ruling out the facts that she did have a cage mate and i wasnt told what sex and mistakes do happen, it died of old age they said but hey i dont know a thing about breeding. and there was a male chin in facility when i got her and they may have put the cages to close.

So what does a Pregnant Chin feel like and how can i find out, if she is what will I need?? I pray she isnt pregnant!!

[dawn]

I have no idea but we do have some wonderful breeders here that should be able to help. One thing you can do (I ain't no breeder so this is hearsay) is flip her over and look for nipples under her fur. She is eating and pooing right and acting normal? Just ruling out a gassy belly.

[♥Pam AB Chins♥]

Well first off don't poke around too much.
Yes, Dawn is right you can VERY carefully flip her and check her nipples. If they are elongated she probably is but lots of times first time moms this doesn't happen till they are far along.
Can you do weight checks easily with her every few weeks? Monitoring her weight will give you a better idea on if she is or isn't. A pregnant chin will gain weight steadily. Slowly at first and then you will see a very noticeable steady gain. For the most part you are just going to have to wait and see. Ultra sounds are possible but not until they are quite far along and I'd not put a chin through the stress as it can be enough to bring on premature labour.

The biggest thing is that she will need to be in a baby safe cage once you figure she is closer to delivery time. One with 1" x 1/2" bar spacing so the baby won't escape.

Once you know for sure whether she is pregnant or not there are a few of us here who have lots of experience with moms and kits to help you through the rest.

[mistywaterwoman]

She's a lot older than Kari, and larger, so I would think that alone would make her feel different to you. I know there is a world of difference between Sally's belly and Evie's, and they are only 3 years apart in age.

If she is pregnant, Pam, Serena, Mish and Kristin can walk you through the ordeal, so you won't be alone!

[Cailet]

thanks all im just praying that its just the difference between 5 months and one year, weight gain im hoping to have since for her size she is a bit underweight so how will i know whats babies and whats her just plumping up, i felt something earilier which i thought might hve been an outy belly button, ill try flipping her over gently to see if i can find anything

[hushabye]

Hmmm I have absolutely NO expertise whatsoever when it comes to this....but Poppy's belly is much rounder and softer than Izzy's, and she isn't bloated, but she's a much bigger chin. Izzy's just feels like nothing at all, she's very slim and tiny, I would have guessed her between 6 months and a year if Lizz (www.originalchinchillas.ca) didn't already pin her at 5+yo. So she might not be....maybe better to assume that she isn't.. better not to worry and to leave her alone. Maybe there's a cage you can borrow from someone, just in case?

[Cailet]

if she is preggers Kari's Cage is Kit proof the bars are so small i cant get a finger between them, so ill be moving her into Kari's cage.

[hushabye]

Oh that's perfect!

[sasha]

Hopefully she isn't pregnant and it is just a size difference. Do youk now if she was kept with males or even in contact with them at her previous home?

[Cailet]

thats what im not sure cause i know they paired her with another chin and there are others that if the cages were to close welll babies may be a possibilty

[chillinchinchillas]

The nipple thing can be slightly misleading sometimes, too. I have one female that has never been bred that has larger nipples. I watched her for a few weeks because they appeared to be just like pregnant nipples, but no, just bigger boobies!

If you can hold her calmly and keep her belly cupped in your fingers for a few minutes, see if you feel any movement other than the heartbeat. Sometimes when the babies are in there it can feel like flutter or hard kicks.

It could honestly just be a size difference, but I would keep her in a baby-safe cage for a few weeks, if you have one, to be on the safe side. Check weight every day and behavior. A pregnant female tends to lay on her side a little more, and close to delivery, she will stay on the bottom level. Keep in mind, though, that I have males that have much more "pregnant type" bellies than a pregnant female sometimes!

[Cailet]

well since i got her all she does when shes tired is lay down on her side, Im checking her tonight...actually ill do it now she normally wakes up and will play around 11 its an hour early but i think she'll be ok.

[chillinchinchillas]

Some just lay on their sides. If she is sleeping a lot, that could also be a sign. Carrying babies takes a lot of energy out of them. Has she been to a vet since you have taken her in? You might want to go in for a vet check.

[Cailet]

no i havent im going to ask for my schedual and see if i can get her to the vet. I want to get her checked out have questions about her feet, it may just be her feet getting rid of dead skin since using vitmai e but thesres this browny Black spot that im worried may be bumblefoot so i want to get her in ASAP. Shes acting normal eating lots throwing hay around i can now pet her (unless i pick her up then she hates me..)

I couldnt find nipples at all, like even if not elongated i should be able to find them right, picked up Kari after and cant find hers either!! But i know they are both girls ive done the check

[mishalaa]

Try to get another weight on her. I noticed in your other thread, she was 644g on 7/05, if she is far along enough that her belly feels solid, she should have gained weight between then and now.

She has nipples even if not pregnant, but they are nubs pretty close to the skin. Blow on her fur on one side right above the line where her beige fur turns to white fur, at about the middle between her front and back leg. That's the easiest nipple to find (they have 6 total). Blow around her side until you find it. If she is pregnant, they will turn pink and elongate to look like little needles. They elongate about 20 days, give or take a day or two, before giving birth. If she is not pregnant, or not that far along, it'll look like just a little bump.

[Cailet]

weighed her earlier just didnt type it in she now weighs 677g thats 33g more then the last in about 10 days ill do a nipple check after she calms down from being caught the first time she really hates it

[Cailet]

to be fair also in the weight gain, she was under weight for her size when i got her... Silly Sandy is makin life difficult

[hushabye]

Ok Cai, maybe this will make you stop worrying. I just weighed Izzy and Poppy, (I finally bought a scale!) Izzy weighs 480g, and Poppy weighs... 709g!!! And half of it is probably in her belly! I think she's fat! Maybe I'm giving her too much hay? She doesn't eat her full 2-tablespoons of pellets and she only gets one treat a night....she CAN'T be pregnant! lol

[Cailet]

i hope its just that, im not ready for babies!!!

[hushabye]

Is anyone?