Introduction

Question 1

Genus and species.

Answer 1

Cavia porcellus

Question 2

What is unique regarding the GP in research?

Answer 2

Only New World rodent commonly used in research.

Question 3

What types of GP are commercially available in the US?

Answer 3

Outbred pigmented stocks, albino Hartley stocks, and IAF hairless sticks

Question 4

The order Rodentia is subdivided into what suborders? Where do GPs fall?

Answer 4

Sciuromorpha - Squirrel-like
Myomorpha - Rat-like
Hystricomorpha - Porcupine-like.
C. porcellus is a New World hystricomorph of family Caviidae

Question 5

What do all members of the family Caviidae possess?

Answer 5

Four digits on forefeet, three on hindfeet. Hairless soles. Short and sharp nails.

Question 6

What features do members of the genus Cavia possess?

Answer 6

Stocky bodies with large heads, short limbs and ears, a single pair of mammae, and a vestigial tail.

Question 7

Where and why were GPs first domesticated?

Answer 7

Andean natives of Peru as food source and sacrificial offering.

Question 8

What coat varieties of GP exist?

Answer 8

Short, regular hair (Shorthair or English)
Longer hair in whorls (Abyssinian)
Long straight hair (Peruvian)
Medium-length fine hair (Silky)

Question 9

Describe the pattern of GP use in research. Why has this occured?

Answer 9

Decrease. Overshadowed by mice and rats which have shorter life cycles, larger litters, have been genetically modified, and are subject to fewer regulations.

Question 10

What was the first species derived and maintained in an axenic state?

Answer 10

GP

Question 11

Why is blood collection difficult in the GP? What routes can be used?

Answer 11

Lack of a tail and thick skin.
Small volumes (100 uL) from jugular, saphenous, or cephalic.
Larger volumes via anesthetized RO bleeding, cranial vena cava puncture, or terminal cardiac puncture.

Question 12

Why are GP challenging to intubate or orally dose?

Answer 12

Unique pharyngeal anatomy - Elongated soft palate covers the back of the throat, leaving only the small palatal ostium for access to trachea and esophagus.

Question 13

What type of GP is commonly used in research?

Answer 13

Shorthair albino English or Hartley

Question 14

What strains of GPs exist? How can they be obtained?

Answer 14

Strains 2 and 13. Not available commercially, but strain 13 can be obtained from US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID).

Question 15

What types of bedding/substrate do GPs prefer?

Answer 15

Wood shavings during the light cycle, slight preference for paper sheets in dark cycle.

Question 16

What bedding can interfere in animal systems involving ascorbic acid depletion? Why?

Answer 16

Presence of low levels of vitamin C in some materials such as cedar shavings.

Question 17

Per the Guide, how much space is required for GP? What height of cage?

Answer 17

350 grams or less: 60 in2
More than 350 grams: 101 in2
Cage height of 7inches

Question 18

What dry-bulb macroenvironmental temp is recommended for GP?

Answer 18

68-79F (20-26C)

Question 19

Do GPs acclimate to changes in the presentation of their feed or water?

Answer 19

No, they do not readily adapt to changes in the presentation of their feed or water.

Question 20

Where should automatic watering valves be placed in relation to the cage? Why?

Answer 20

Outside the cage. GP like to manipulate and may flood their cage.

Question 21

Describe tonic immobility behavior.

Answer 21

Profound somatic and autonomic motor inhibition, also known as animal hypnosis or feigning death. Induced by aversive stimuli. Mediated by periaqueductal gray matter, the limbic forebrain, and spinal areas. Should not be used as a means of restraint.