Ch22 - Guinea Pigs

Question 1

What injury can occur if guinea pigs are housed in cages with wire bottoms? What are the symptoms of this injury?

Answer 1

Pododermatitis - inflammed footpad, develop sores, overgrown

Question 2

Guinea pigs are born precoical, meaning…

Answer 2

they are born fully furred, eyes open, and can run within hours of birth

Question 3

What are male and female guinea pigs called?

Answer 3

Boar and sow

Question 4

How should a guinea pig’s sex be verified?

Answer 4

By pressing on the pelvic area (penis will be exposed)

Question 5

Which inbred strains produce tricolored guinea pigs?

Answer 5

Strain 2 and Strain 13

Question 6

What is the scientific name for the guinea pig?

Answer 6

Cavia porcellus

Question 7

Hairless guinea pigs are different from nude mice in what way?

Answer 7

guinea pigs are physiologically and immunologically normal

Question 8

what is the best way to hold a guinea pig?

Answer 8

place thumb and forefingers behind front legs, with the other hand supporting the hindquarters

Question 9

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?

Answer 9

Fused pelvic bones can lead to slow, difficult labor (dystocia), which can be fatal

Question 10

What are 3 acceptable methods of euthanasia?

Answer 10

Intraperitoneal injection of barbiturates; overdose of inhalant anesthetics, CO2 inhalation

Question 11

What is commonly used for environmental enrichment for guinea pigs?

Answer 11

PVC tube for shelter

Question 12

True or False: Guinea pigs can either freeze or stampede in response to sudden movements

Answer 12

True

Question 13

True or False: Guinea pigs are very neat and clean and will defecate only in one corner of their pens

Answer 13

False (they’ll urinate and defecate on their food)

Question 14

True or False: Guinea pigs will blow partially chewed food into water bottle sippers, clogging them and preventing access to water

Answer 14

True

Question 15

True or False: Barbering (chewing on fur of conspecifics) is common in guinea pigs

Answer 15

True

Question 16

True or False: Guinea pigs can eat the standard rodent chow for rats and mice

Answer 16

False (feed must be enriched with Vit C)

Question 17

True or False: There is a large difference in the anogenital distance seen between males and females

Answer 17

False (there is no difference)

Question 18

True or False: Stillbirths and spontaneous abortions are common in guinea pigs

Answer 18

True

Question 19

True or False: guinea pigs are great climbers

Answer 19

False (they are poor climbers, but may jump straight in the air)

Question 20

True or False: Because of their short legs, guinea pigs are generally difficult to restrain

Answer 20

False (they respond well to gentle handling)

Question 21

Why should the dust contect of guinea pig bedding be low?

Answer 21

They are susceptible to respiratory diseases

Question 22

True or False: Malocclusion may occur with guinea pigs’ molars as well as their incisors

Answer 22

True

Question 23

Why do guinea pigs need to be fasted before procedures requiring pharyngeal intubation, but otherwise do NOT need to be fasted prior to sedation?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

What are two outbred stocks of guinea pigs?

Answer 24

Duncan-Hartly and Hartly (albino)

Question 25

How long after birth do female guinea pigs become fertile again (postpartum estrus)?

Answer 25

2-15 hours

Question 26

What is the sexual cycle duration and the estrus “heat” duration for female guinea pigs?

Answer 26

Sexual cycle: 13-21 days
Estrus: 6-11 hrs

Question 27

How long is the gestation period for guinea pigs?

Answer 27

59-72 days

Question 28

What is the lifespan of a guinea pig?

Answer 28

4-5 years

Question 29

What is the age of puberty/sexual maturity for males?

Answer 29

8-10 weeks old

Question 30

What is the age of estrus/sexual maturity for females?

Answer 30

4-5 weeks old