Guinea Pigs (LS)

Question 1

What is a unique husbandry feature of guinea pigs?

Answer 1

• food preference is set by 6 months of age
  
  • may refuse to eat food if shape, type presentation is changed
  • provide a variety of feedstuffs to avoid problems later

Question 2

What vitamin do guinea pigs require?

Why?

Answer 2

• Vitamin C
• lack L-gulonolactase oxidase

Question 3

Which teeth in Guinea Pigs are hypsodont?

TQ

Answer 3

• Incisors
• Pre-molars
• Molars

Question 4

What color are Guinea Pigs’ incisors?

Answer 4

White

(unlike other rodents)

Question 5

How do you distinguish a male guinea pig from a female?

Answer 5

Male has a dot on top of “Y” & an os penis

Question 6

When does the pelvic symphysis of the female close? Implications?

TQ

Answer 6

• 6 months (if don’t have a litter by then)
• will have to perform a C-section if animal has not had a litter prior to 7-8 months of age

Question 7

What is unique about Guinea Pig pups?

Answer 7

• Precocious → fully furred & eyes open
• can eat solid food from day one

Question 8

What is the normal pH of Guinea Pig Urine?

Answer 8

pH 9.0

Question 9

Which liver enzyme is not useful for DX in Guinea Pigs?

Answer 9

ALT

(not sensitive or specific)

Question 10

What clin path findings is common in Guinea Pigs?

Answer 10

Hypercholesterolemia

Question 11

What is the leukocyte that is unique to Guinea Pig & Capybara?

Answer 11

Foa-Kurloff cell

Question 12

What is the predominant circulating leukocyte in healthy guinea pigs?

Answer 12

Lymphocyte

(basophiles are rare)

Question 13

Do you fast GPs before SX?

Answer 13

Yes!

Decreases mechanical compression of lungs & diaphragm

Question 14

What Antibiotics cause Dysbiosis (overgrowth of Clostridium) in GPs?

Answer 14

• Penicillin → will kill
• Ampicillin
• Chlortetracycline
• Tetracycline
• Clindamycin
• Erythromycin
• Lincomycin

Question 15

What are the appropriate Antibiotics for GPs?

Answer 15

• Sulfa drugs
• Flouroquinolones
• Chloramphenicol
• Aminoglycosides
• Supplement Lactobacillus when treating w/ antimicrobials

Question 16

What 2 DZ conditions are GPs prone to during pregnancy?

Answer 16

• Pregnancy Toxemia
• Pregnancy Ketosis

Question 17

C/S of Scurvy?

TX?

Answer 17

• Breakdown of CT including bones, blood & skin
• Inject Vit. C & give Oral Vit C.

Question 18

What is the parasite causing Infectious Enterititis that is unique to GPs?

Answer 18

Eimeria caviae

Question 19

Where do the Maxillary cheek teeth like to overgrow?

Answer 19

• Laterally
• into the buccal gingiva

Question 20

Where do the Mandibular cheek like to overgrow?

Answer 20

• Medially
• Entrap the tongue

Question 21

What are the 1° agents of

Cervical Lemphadenititis in GP?

C/S?

TX?

NAVLE/TQ!

Answer 21

• Strep. zooepidemicus & S. moniliformis
• C/S→pus filled ventral cervical mass; septicemia; possible bronchopneumonia
• TX→ SX exicsion or lance & drain; Antibiotics, supportive care.

Question 22

What is the ZOONOTIC mite that GPs get?

TX?

TQ!

Answer 22

Trixacarus caviae

TX- Lime sulfur dip

Question 23

What causes Conjunctivitis in GPs

and is of zoonotic importance?

TQ

Answer 23

Chlamydiophila psittaci