Guinea Pigs-Final

Question 1

Which vitamin is not synthesized in guinea pigs?

Answer 1

Vitamin C

Question 2

What is the gestation period for a guinea pig?

Answer 2

60-63 days

Question 3

Why should guinea pigs be bred before 8 months of age?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What sex is this?

Answer 4

Female

Question 5

What sex is this and what does the flaccid opening represent?

Answer 5

Male- flaccid opening is the urethra

Question 6

What is this?

Answer 6

Sebaceous rump gland

Question 7

What type of diet is needed for guinea pigs?

Answer 7

High fiber, no grain

Grass hay fiber

Question 8

How much vitamin C is required per day?

Answer 8

25-50 mg/day

Question 9

What does the lack of Vitamin C lead to?

Answer 9

Scruvy

High Vitamin C products: Leafy greens > dandelions > kale > spinach > strawberries > oranges

Question 10

What is your analagesic and motility agent of choice?

Answer 10

Analgesic: meloxicam

Motility: cisapride

Question 11

What are CS of scurvy?

Answer 11

Swollen painful joints

Poor haircoat

Bad teeth

Poor wound healing

Question 12

What does this guinea pig have?

Answer 12

Gastric torsion

Make sure stomach is on the Left!

Question 13

What is the tx for bloat?

Answer 13

Decompress (tube or aspiration), parenteral antibiotics, analgesics (buprenorphine) and fluids

Question 14

What is the most common skin tumor in guinea pigs?

Answer 14

Trichoepithelioma

B9-but can get HUGE

Question 15

What does this guinea pig have and what are the tx options?

Answer 15

Dermatophytosis- fungus

Tx: griseofulvin or itraconazole

Question 16

T/F: Lice is very common and can be confirmed by visual diagnosis

Answer 16

TRUE

Question 17

What does this guinea pig have and what can it cause?

Answer 17

Sarcoptic mange- PRURITIC

Scratch so hard these patients commonly have seizures

Question 18

What is the tx for parasitic dermatitis?

Answer 18

Shave the fur!

Ivermectin, selamectin or moxidectin

Prednisone for pruritis

Question 19

What does this guinea pig have?

Answer 19

Pododermatitis

This can lead to osteomyelitis- important to take x-rays

Question 20

T/F: Male guinea pigs are more commonly dx with mammary gland tumors

Answer 20

TRUE

Adenocarcinoma (more common) and rarely metastasize

Question 21

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?

Answer 21

Urolithiasis

Calcium carbonate is the leading cause

Question 22

T/F: Stone diets are ineffective in guinea pigs in tx for urolithiasis and should be put on a low calcium diet

Answer 22

TRUE

Question 23

This urogenital dz has a 75% occurrence rate and is an incidental finding commonly seen with alopecia and uterine bleeding

Answer 23

Cystic ovaries

Question 24

What are the therapy options for a guinea pig with cystic ovaries?

Answer 24

Leuprolide and cystorelin

OHE!

Question 25

T/F: Penicillin and cephalosporins are safe to use in guinea pigs

Answer 25

FALSE

Extremely toxic to rodents

Question 26

What ab are safe to use in guinea pigs?

Answer 26

Chloramphenicol, metronidozole, sulfa drugs

Quinolones (okay)