Ch22 - Guinea Pigs Flashcards
What injury can occur if guinea pigs are housed in cages with wire bottoms? What are the symptoms of this injury?
Pododermatitis - inflammed footpad, develop sores, overgrown
Guinea pigs are born precoical, meaning…
they are born fully furred, eyes open, and can run within hours of birth
What are male and female guinea pigs called?
Boar and sow
How should a guinea pig’s sex be verified?
By pressing on the pelvic area (penis will be exposed)
Which inbred strains produce tricolored guinea pigs?
Strain 2 and Strain 13
What is the scientific name for the guinea pig?
Cavia porcellus
Hairless guinea pigs are different from nude mice in what way?
guinea pigs are physiologically and immunologically normal
what is the best way to hold a guinea pig?
place thumb and forefingers behind front legs, with the other hand supporting the hindquarters
Female guinea pigs bred after 7 months of age may have a specific reproductive problem. What is the problem, and what can it lead to?
Fused pelvic bones can lead to slow, difficult labor (dystocia), which can be fatal
What are 3 acceptable methods of euthanasia?
Intraperitoneal injection of barbiturates; overdose of inhalant anesthetics, CO2 inhalation
What is commonly used for environmental enrichment for guinea pigs?
PVC tube for shelter
True or False: Guinea pigs can either freeze or stampede in response to sudden movements
True
True or False: Guinea pigs are very neat and clean and will defecate only in one corner of their pens
False (they’ll urinate and defecate on their food)
True or False: Guinea pigs will blow partially chewed food into water bottle sippers, clogging them and preventing access to water
True
True or False: Barbering (chewing on fur of conspecifics) is common in guinea pigs
True
True or False: Guinea pigs can eat the standard rodent chow for rats and mice
False (feed must be enriched with Vit C)
True or False: There is a large difference in the anogenital distance seen between males and females
False (there is no difference)
True or False: Stillbirths and spontaneous abortions are common in guinea pigs
True
True or False: guinea pigs are great climbers
False (they are poor climbers, but may jump straight in the air)
True or False: Because of their short legs, guinea pigs are generally difficult to restrain
False (they respond well to gentle handling)
Why should the dust contect of guinea pig bedding be low?
They are susceptible to respiratory diseases
True or False: Malocclusion may occur with guinea pigs’ molars as well as their incisors
True
Why do guinea pigs need to be fasted before procedures requiring pharyngeal intubation, but otherwise do NOT need to be fasted prior to sedation?
Guinea pigs will retain food in their mouths, interfering with the placement of the tube. In every other case, they are not able to vomit.
What are two outbred stocks of guinea pigs?
Duncan-Hartly and Hartly (albino)
How long after birth do female guinea pigs become fertile again (postpartum estrus)?
2-15 hours
What is the sexual cycle duration and the estrus “heat” duration for female guinea pigs?
Sexual cycle: 13-21 days
Estrus: 6-11 hrs
How long is the gestation period for guinea pigs?
59-72 days
What is the lifespan of a guinea pig?
4-5 years
What is the age of puberty/sexual maturity for males?
8-10 weeks old
What is the age of estrus/sexual maturity for females?
4-5 weeks old
