Guinea Pigs Flashcards
species, order, and suborder name of guinea pigs
cavia porcellus (cavies), rodentia, suborder= hystricomorpha
guinea pig lifespan
5-6 yrs
guinea pig breed w rosettes or whorls hair pattern
abyssinian
breeds of guinea pig used in research
english (short haired), duncan-hartley (albino)
guinea pig breed w one defined rosette on forehead
white crested
guinea pig teeth formula
I 1/1, C 0/0, P 1/1, M 3/3
the gap between molar and premolars (guinea pigs and rabbits) is called
diastema
what are kurloff cells
WBCs that contain inclusions; may play a role in fetal antigens (bc cells high in females and increases during estus and pregnancy)
when females and males reach puberty
F=2 months
males= 3 months
why we must breed females before 6 months old
after 6 months, pelvic symphysis fuses and dystocia will occur
weaning age
21 days (3 weeks)
how to sex guinea pigs
visualize penis or vulva
how many nipples
1 pair
vitamin deficiency guinea pigs are prone to
vitamin C (cannot manufacture their own)
can guinea pigs be fed rabbit diets? why?
no; too high in fiber, not enough protien
ideal temp and humidity
65-79 degrees (susceptible to heat stress), 40-60% humidity
research uses
nutritional studies (esp vitamin C), immune function (TB and other infectious diseases), audiology studies (sensitive hearing due to large tympanic bulla), discovery and development of serum
guinea pigs were used by louis pastuer in his study of
rabies
causal agents of pneumonia in GP
parurella and bordetella
most common bacterial disease in GP
Pneumonia
most common bacteria causing respiratory disease
bordetella
bacterial enteritis signs
acute death, no signs
lack of vitamin E and Selenium causes
muscular dystrophy
GP can get bumblefoot like rabbits, what is it
pododermatitis, caused by unsanitary conditions
what is trixacarus caviae
sarcoptes (burrowing mite)
causal agent of cavian leukemia type C
corona virus
why we sedate for blood collection
easily stressed
