Large Animals & Biology of Guinea Pigs and Hamster

Question 1

Large animals have declined in usage since 1975 for in-vitro and rodents, these animals include:

Answer 1

Dogs, cats, primates, rabbits, swine, sheep, and goats.

Question 2

What is the latin name for dog?

Answer 2

Canis Familiaris- Beagles are the most common for research on surgeries and pharmacology; minimal restraint but firm, muzzle restraints and restraints for scans/injections.

Question 3

What is the latin name for cat?

Answer 3

Felis Catus- Not commonly used in research research and are used as disease models, group housed, neck scruff to immobilize.

Question 4

What is the venous access for cats and dogs?

Answer 4

Cephalic and jugular veins (lateral/outside leg saphenous in dogs) and (medial/inside leg saphenous in cats).

Question 5

What is the latin name for pig?

Answer 5

Sus Scrofa- Similar cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal similarities to humans making them models for heart disease and nutritional studies, restraint devices (panepinto sling), ear veins for blood.

Question 6

What is the latin name for a sheep and goat?

Answer 6

(Sheep) Ovis Aries and (Goats) Capra Hircus- Models for transplants, cloning, genetic engineering, antibody production, injections are the cephalic, jugular, (lateral/outside leg) saphenous veins.

Question 7

What are the “old world” and “new world” divisions?

Answer 7

Asia & Africa / South America & Central America (important for housing and traffic patterns).

Question 8

What are the latin names for non-human primates (monkeys)

Answer 8

(Rhesus monkey) Macaca Mulatta and (Cynomolgus monkey) Macaca Fasicularis, models for immunodeficiencies, aging, alcohol, blood, etc., squeeze cages or collars for restraint (usually not awake), cephalic, jugular, (lateral/outside leg) saphenous veins, and quad for intramuscular.

Question 9

What is the latin name for guinea pig?

Answer 9

Cavia Porcellus- family: Caviidae, order: Rodentia, hystricomorph, and social.

Question 10

What are guinea pigs used in research for?

Answer 10

Development and Reproductive Toxicology (DART), respiratory, auditory, reproduction, and infectious studies.

Question 11

Compare and contrast male and female guinea pig:

Answer 11

Male: 900-1200g, penis and a gap then anus
Female: 700-900g, vulva and a y-shape
Both: 1 pair of nipples and anogenital distance

Question 12

When do guinea pigs breed?

Answer 12

Before 6 months, 2-4 pups a liter.

Question 13

What are Kurloff cells?

Answer 13

A type of macrophage unique to guinea pigs. In male guinea pigs, they can be induced by administering estrogen and in females they travel to the placenta during pregnancy.

Question 14

What is Staphylococcus aureus?

Answer 14

An infection in the feet, swollen paws, ulcerations, “Bumble Foot.”

Question 15

What vitamin to guinea pigs require routinely in their diet?

Answer 15

Vitamin C as they are herbivores and usually need it in their water to create collagen.

Question 16

What does a guinea pigs behavior consists of in response to loud sounds?

Answer 16

Freeze reaction, scatter reaction, and pinna ear reflex.

Question 17

How are guinea pigs handled?

Answer 17

Lift with one hand, support hind legs with the other.

Question 18

Where are guinea pigs injected?

Answer 18

Ear and saphenous veins (IV) Quads and posterior thigh (IM), anesthetized for blood drawing in lateral saphenous vein.

Question 19

How do hamsters breed?

Answer 19

The male will be brought into the female cage to avoid territory guarding and the pair/trio will produce 6-8 pups

Question 20

What is the latin name for a hamster?

Answer 20

Syrian: Mesocricetus auratus (larger)
Chinese Cricetulus griseus (smaller)

Family: Cricetidae, order: Rodentia, and solitary with large cheeks and short tails.

Question 21

What kinds of research are hamsters used for?

Answer 21

Immune (cheeks have extra immune support), diabetes, arteriosclerosis, oral, bladder, and renal.

Question 22

Compare and contrast male and female hamsters?

Answer 22

Female has 3 distinct openings and a flat base, males have a penis, greater anogenital distance, and a testicle bulge at the tail base.

Question 23

What animal has flank glands?

Answer 23

Hamsters have subcutaneous flank glands with sexually active males having more prominent glands for pheromones.

Question 24

What is the behavior of a hamster?

Answer 24

Hibernation at 40 Fahrenheit (food and sleep periodically), cheeks for storage/hoarding, nocturnal, territorial, females are dominant, burrowing and eating from the floor only (they will starve otherwise).

Question 25

Where are hamsters injected?

Answer 25

Cephalic and tarsal vein (IV), quad (IP), and caudal thigh muscles (IM).

Blood collection in lateral tarsal and saphenous vein.