Guinea Pigs-Final Flashcards
Which vitamin is not synthesized in guinea pigs?
Vitamin C
What is the gestation period for a guinea pig?
60-63 days
Why should guinea pigs be bred before 8 months of age?
Pubic symphysis closure occurs at 8 months- if guinea pig isn’t bred by 8 months, this will fuse and then if pregnant in the future they will have dystocia. If bred before 8 months, the pubic symphysis will stay open for life.
What sex is this?
Female
What sex is this and what does the flaccid opening represent?
Male- flaccid opening is the urethra
What is this?
Sebaceous rump gland
What type of diet is needed for guinea pigs?
High fiber, no grain
Grass hay fiber
How much vitamin C is required per day?
25-50 mg/day
What does the lack of Vitamin C lead to?
Scruvy
High Vitamin C products: Leafy greens > dandelions > kale > spinach > strawberries > oranges
What is your analagesic and motility agent of choice?
Analgesic: meloxicam
Motility: cisapride
What are CS of scurvy?
Swollen painful joints
Poor haircoat
Bad teeth
Poor wound healing
What does this guinea pig have?
Gastric torsion
Make sure stomach is on the Left!
What is the tx for bloat?
Decompress (tube or aspiration), parenteral antibiotics, analgesics (buprenorphine) and fluids
What is the most common skin tumor in guinea pigs?
Trichoepithelioma
B9-but can get HUGE
What does this guinea pig have and what are the tx options?
Dermatophytosis- fungus
Tx: griseofulvin or itraconazole
T/F: Lice is very common and can be confirmed by visual diagnosis
TRUE
What does this guinea pig have and what can it cause?
Sarcoptic mange- PRURITIC
Scratch so hard these patients commonly have seizures
What is the tx for parasitic dermatitis?
Shave the fur!
Ivermectin, selamectin or moxidectin
Prednisone for pruritis
What does this guinea pig have?
Pododermatitis
This can lead to osteomyelitis- important to take x-rays
T/F: Male guinea pigs are more commonly dx with mammary gland tumors
TRUE
Adenocarcinoma (more common) and rarely metastasize
If you are presented with a male guinea pig that is crying and has hematuria and has this finding on rads…what are you expecting?
Urolithiasis
Calcium carbonate is the leading cause
T/F: Stone diets are ineffective in guinea pigs in tx for urolithiasis and should be put on a low calcium diet
TRUE
This urogenital dz has a 75% occurrence rate and is an incidental finding commonly seen with alopecia and uterine bleeding
Cystic ovaries
What are the therapy options for a guinea pig with cystic ovaries?
Leuprolide and cystorelin
OHE!
T/F: Penicillin and cephalosporins are safe to use in guinea pigs
FALSE
Extremely toxic to rodents
What ab are safe to use in guinea pigs?
Chloramphenicol, metronidozole, sulfa drugs
Quinolones (okay)
