ANIMAL HEALTH AND ANIMAL HEALTH AND OBSERVATIONOBSERVATION

GUINEA PIGSGUINEA PIGS

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Guinea PigsGuinea Pigs

Cavia porcellusCavia porcellus - commonly known as cavies - commonly known as cavies Lab g. pigs originated from wild animals Lab g. pigs originated from wild animals

captured in South America.captured in South America. There are still wild g.pigs in Peru, Argentina, There are still wild g.pigs in Peru, Argentina,

Brazil and UruguayBrazil and Uruguay

Guinea Pig BreedsGuinea Pig Breeds

Most lab g.pigs come from a strain of short Most lab g.pigs come from a strain of short haired animals established by Dunkin Hartley haired animals established by Dunkin Hartley in 1926in 1926 Short smooth hair coat and have been widely Short smooth hair coat and have been widely

acceptedaccepted Mostly albinosMostly albinos

Guinea Pig BreedsGuinea Pig Breeds

Abyssinian BreedAbyssinian Breed Rough short hairRough short hair Hair usually grows in Hair usually grows in

rosettes and swirlsrosettes and swirls Seldom used in researchSeldom used in research

Guinea Pig BreedsGuinea Pig Breeds

Peruvian BreedPeruvian Breed Very long hairVery long hair Seldom useSeldom use

ResearchResearch

Useful in:Useful in: Nutritional researchNutritional research Particular kinds of shock (such as anaphylactic Particular kinds of shock (such as anaphylactic

shock)shock) Lotions/ointmentsLotions/ointments

Their skin resembles humansTheir skin resembles humans Immunology experimentsImmunology experiments

BehaviorBehavior

Docile-making handling easierDocile-making handling easier Rarely bite or scratchRarely bite or scratch Seldom climb or jump out of pensSeldom climb or jump out of pens Respond favorably to frequent handlingRespond favorably to frequent handling Response to danger – immobility or sudden explosive Response to danger – immobility or sudden explosive

scatteringscattering Develop rigid habit patternsDevelop rigid habit patterns

Changes in feed, water, feeder or waterer may cause them Changes in feed, water, feeder or waterer may cause them to stop eating or drinkingto stop eating or drinking

Behavior contBehavior cont

Vocalize when in pain or distressVocalize when in pain or distress Loud squealLoud squeal Whistles can be a greetingWhistles can be a greeting Establish male dominated hierarchies.Establish male dominated hierarchies. Subordinate animals may be chewed or Subordinate animals may be chewed or

barbed if housed in a group situationbarbed if housed in a group situation

IDID

Tattoo earTattoo ear Ear tagEar tag

Can fall out or be Can fall out or be chewedchewed

MicrochipMicrochip Dye marking of hair OK Dye marking of hair OK

for short term usefor short term use

NOTE – This is a dog’s ear so that you get the idea of what a tattoo looks like.

HandlingHandling

One hand over shoulder One hand over shoulder area.area.

Then place a hand under Then place a hand under body for supportbody for support

SexingSexing

Examine external genitaliaExamine external genitalia Males – penis and testes may be extruded by genital Males – penis and testes may be extruded by genital

digital pressuredigital pressure Females will have a y shapeFemales will have a y shape

Female (notice the y shape) Male

Note: These pictures do not show appropriate PPE (gloves)

SEXINGSEXING

Although this picture is a little further away than in the previous slide, this is a picture of 2 males.

HousingHousing Colony pens Colony pens

on floor on floor Tiered binsTiered bins Large shoe Large shoe

box cages box cages (plastic or (plastic or metal)metal)

Should not be Should not be raised on raised on wirewire Foot injuries Foot injuries

– such as – such as bumblefootbumblefoot

Hair lossHair loss

Types of cages (rodents in general)Types of cages (rodents in general)

Polypropylene Polycarbonate 

Polyphthalate  Polyphenyl-sulfone

HousingHousing

This is a picture of bumblefoot.

HousingHousing

Height of cage needs to be at least 7 inchesHeight of cage needs to be at least 7 inches Weaning to 350gWeaning to 350g 60 sq inches60 sq inches >350g>350g 101 sq inches101 sq inches Nursing femaleNursing female 101 sq inches101 sq inches

Wood shaving or shredded paper for beddingWood shaving or shredded paper for bedding Avoid cedar and pine as they can be toxic.Avoid cedar and pine as they can be toxic.

Interfere with respiratory, fertility and liver function. Interfere with respiratory, fertility and liver function.

Housing cont.Housing cont.

Cage change several times per week or daily Cage change several times per week or daily as they are messy.as they are messy.

Temp should be 64-78Temp should be 64-78°° F – optimal 72 F – optimal 72°° F F Light cycles 12:12 or 14:10 (light:dark)Light cycles 12:12 or 14:10 (light:dark)

NUTRITIONNUTRITION G. Pigs need diets which are rich in Vitamin C.G. Pigs need diets which are rich in Vitamin C.

They can not synthesize their own Vitamin They can not synthesize their own Vitamin C.C.

If G.Pigs are denied Vitamin C, they become If G.Pigs are denied Vitamin C, they become deficient.deficient. Vitamin C. deficiency can cause “scurvy”Vitamin C. deficiency can cause “scurvy” Scurvy can be fatal if not treated.Scurvy can be fatal if not treated.

Rodent block food can not be fed to G. Pigs.Rodent block food can not be fed to G. Pigs. G. Pig and Rabbit food look similarG. Pig and Rabbit food look similar

Rabbit food does not have Vitamin C added!Rabbit food does not have Vitamin C added!

DISEASEDISEASE

Scurvy - We discussed this earlier. Lack of Scurvy - We discussed this earlier. Lack of Vitamin C in their diet.Vitamin C in their diet.

Malocclusion – Just with other species their Malocclusion – Just with other species their incisors can overgrow.incisors can overgrow. G. Pig may not each as much or stop all togetherG. Pig may not each as much or stop all together Should trim the teethShould trim the teeth

DISEASEDISEASE

Bordetella Bronchiseptia – Bordetella Bronchiseptia – Disease of the Disease of the upper respiratory tractupper respiratory tract Rabbits should not be housed with guinea pigs due Rabbits should not be housed with guinea pigs due

to this disease.to this disease. Samonellosis – Transmitted by ingestion of Samonellosis – Transmitted by ingestion of

contaminated water, food or bedding.contaminated water, food or bedding. Lethargy, anorexia, soft feces or diarrhea, dyspnea, Lethargy, anorexia, soft feces or diarrhea, dyspnea,

weight loss, rough hair coat and conjunctivitis.weight loss, rough hair coat and conjunctivitis.