17. Guinea Pigs and Hamsters: Husbandry and Repro Flashcards
Can hamsters be housed outside?
No
5 functions of vocalization of GPs
- Increase proximity
- Greeting
- Proximity-maintaining
- Proximity-regaining
- Distress/alarm
Scruffing GPs
Not recommended - can cause hair depilation
Temp for housing GP
68-79 F
Recommended height for GP
7 in
Why are cedar shavings not recommended?
Microsomal enzymes and cytotoxicity
Why are untreated softwood shavings not recommended?
Can affect animals’ metabolism via cytochrome p450
Sanitation of GP cages
at least once every 2 weeks
Enrichment used in mice may not work with GPs for what reason?
GPs have neophobia
5 accessory sex glands in GPs
- Seminal vesicles
- Prostate gland
- Coagulating gland
- Bulbourethral gland
- Preputial gland
Inguinal canals in GPs
Remain open
Do GP boars have an os penis?
Yes
Repro system of female GP
Bicornate uterus, single os cervis
What kind of placenta do GPs have
Discoidal, hemomonochorial
When to breed female GPs
Breed as early as 2-3 months, but no later than 6-7 months
When does vaginal closure membrane in GPs open/
Estrus and parturition
Estrous cycle in GPs - length
16 days
Proestrus in GPs
Vaginal swelling, rupture of membrane, increased activity. Nucleated and cornified epithelial cells
Estrus in GPs
Vaginal swelling, perforation of membrane, lordosis, cornified epithelial cells
Are GPs polygamous?
Monogamous OR polygamous
Gestation length in Gps
68 days
GP litter size
2-5 piglets
Weaning age in Gps
7 days
Ketoacidosis (pregnancy toxemia common in GPs is due to what?
Reduced carbohydrate intake and mobilization of fat stores
C/S of ketoacidosis
Fasting hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, ketonemia, proteinuria, aciduria
Death
Circulatory forms of pregnancy toxemia (pre-eclampsia)
Vascular insufficiency/ischemia, hemorrhage/necrosis, thrombosis, coagulopathy
Prevention of pregnancy toxemia
Keep weight under 500g
Avoid stress/fasting
Don’t transport pregnant GP
High energy diet near end of pregnancy
Tx of pregnancy toxemia
Treat electrolyte and glucose abnormalities
Fluids
Steroids
When do you see ovarian cysts in GPs (what age)
1-4 years
C/S of ovarian cysts in GPs
Anorexia, depression, abdominal distension, bilateral hairloss over flanks and rump, infertility
Ovarian cysts in GPs are associated with which other issues?
Uterine leiomyomas, endometritis, cystic endometrial hyperplasia
Tx of ovarian cysts in GPs
Sx removal or OHE
Causes of mastitis in GPs
E. coli, Klebsiella, Staph zoo, Pasteurella, Proteus
Which hamsters don’t hibernate?
Phodopus sungorus (Djungarian)
Hibernation vs estivation
Hibernation: Lack of activity and metabolic depression
Estivation: State of dormancy caused by high temps
Height requirement for hamsters
6 inches
Housing temp of hamsters
68-79 F
Pellet placement for hamsters
On the floor - broad muzzle prevents them from eating from normal hoppers
Female repro tract
Bicornate uterus
Two cervices but single cervical os
4 accessory sex glands of hamsters
- Vesicular glands
- Coagulating glands
- Prostate gland
- Bulbourethral gland
Length of estrus in hamsters
4 days
Gestation length in hamsteres
16
Hamsters are prone to which repro issues?
Granulosa cell tumors
Uterine adenocarcinomas (Chinese hamsters)
Cystic ovaries (Dwarf hamsters)
Mastitis
Syrian hamster
Mesocricetus auratus
Chinese hamster
Cricetulus griseus
Armenian hamster
Cricetulus migratorius
European hamster
Cricetus cricetus
Djungarian hamster
Phodopus
Siberian hamster
Phodopus sungorus
Russian dwarf hamster
Phodopus campbelli
Desert hamster
Phodopus roborovski
Which hamster has the most chromosomes?
Mesocricetus auratus (44 as opposed to 20’s)
