Subpart 3B - GP and Hamsters

Question 1

What temperature range should guinea pigs and hamsters be housed at?

Answer 1

Not below 60F, not exceed 85F

Question 2

Can hamsters and guinea pigs be housed outdoors?

Answer 2

Hamsters no. Guinea pigs generally not, unless facilities are located in an appropriate climate and prior approval for outdoor housing is obtained from the Deputy Administrator.

Question 3

How must racks, shelves, and other accessories holding cages be constructed?

Answer 3

Of smooth material substantially impervious to liquids and moisture.

Question 4

How tall must guinea pig enclosures be? How much space is required?

Answer 4

7 inches tall.
Weaning to 350 grams = 60 sq in
350 grams or more = 101 sq inches
Nursing females with litters = 101 sq inches

Question 5

How tall must hamster cages be?

Answer 5

6 inches.

Question 6

How are nursing female hamsters housed? How large must the enclosure be?

Answer 6

Housed only with litter. At least 121 square inches of floor space. Dwarf hamsters must have at least 25 square inches of space.

Question 7

How much space does each size of hamster require?

Answer 7

<60 grams/2.1 oz = 10 sq inch
60-80 gm/2.1-28.8 oz = 13 sq inch
80-100 gm/2.8-3.5 oz = 16 sq inch
>100 gm = 19 sq inch

Question 8

Who must approve innovative enclosures?

Answer 8

Research facilities = IACUC
Dealers and exhibitors = Administrator

Question 9

How often must GP and hamsters be fed?

Answer 9

At least daily

Question 10

What is special regarding feeding of hamsters?

Answer 10

May be fed a pelleted feed on the floor of the primary enclosure.

Question 11

How can fresh fruit or vegetable food supplements be provided?

Answer 11

May be placed upon the bedding within the primary enclosure but the uneaten portion and any bedding soiled as a result must be removed from the enclosure when the uneaten supplements accumulate or bedding becomes soiled to a degree that may be harmful/uncomfortable/

Question 12

How often must water be provided to GPs and hamsters?

Answer 12

Daily, unless the food supplements provided supply them with their normal water requirement.

Question 13

How often must primary enclosures be sanitized or cleaned?

Answer 13

At least once every 2 weeks.

Question 14

How can primary enclosures for GPs or hamsters be sanitized?

Answer 14

Wash in hot water (180F) and soap and detergent, washing soiled surfaces with a detergent solution followed by a safe and effective disinfectant, or by cleaning all soiled surfaces with live steam.

Question 15

Preweanling guinea pigs should not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adults other than their parents, except when what is practiced?

Answer 15

Harem breeding

Question 16

Can GPs and hamsters be housed together?

Answer 16

No. Hamsters and GPs should not be housed in the same primary enclosure with any other species of animal.

Question 17

A carrier or IH can only accept for transport GPs, hamsters, or rabbits in primary enclosures that confirm to the requirements set forth in the Act. Carriers or IHs can accept animals if they have what documentation? What is the exception? What information is included?

Answer 17

Certificate, signed by the consignor, stating that the primary enclosure complies with the standards, unless the enclosure is obviously defective and damaged and cannot be expected to contain a live GP or hamster. Certificate accompanies the shipment and includes 1) name and address of consignor 2) number of GPs or hamsters in primary enclosure 3) a certifying statement 4) signature of consignor and date.

Question 18

When can carriers or IH handlers accept hamsters and rabbits for transportation even if their facilities fail to meet the minimum temperature standards?

Answer 18

If the consignor furnishes a certificate from an accredited vet issued not more than 10 days prior to delivery stating the live hamster is acclimated to air low air temperatures. Must include 1) name and address of consignor 2) number of hamsters in shipment 3) a certifying statement 4) signature of accredited vet, assigned accreditation number, and date

Question 19

The inner surfaces of corrugated fiberboard, cardboard, or plastic containers used to transport GPs or hamsters must be treated in what manner?

Answer 19

Must be covered or laminated with wire mesh or screen when necessary to prevent animal escape.

Question 20

Describe ventilation of GP, hamster, and rabbit transport containers.

Answer 20

Two ventilation openings on opposite walls = 16% of total wall surface
Four ventilation openings = 8% of total wall surface
1/3 of ventilation area must be on the lower half of container, 1/3 must be on upper half of container

Question 21

Projecting rims or other devices must be on the exterior walls of transport containers to provide a minimum air circulation space of how much?

Answer 21

.75in or 1.9cm

Question 22

What is the max number of live guinea pigs and hamsters that can transported in the same primary enclosure?

Answer 22

15 GP, 50 hamsters

Question 23

What are the transport space requirements for GPs?

Answer 23

GP up to 500 grams = Height of 6in
GP over 500 grams = Height of 7in
GP up to 350 gm = 30 sq inches
GP 350-600 gm = 45 sq inches
GP over 600 gm = 55 sq inches

Question 24

What are the transport space requirements for hamsters?

Answer 24

Interior height = 6in
Interior height for dwarf hamsters = 5in
Weaning to 5 weeks = 5.0 sq in (D), 7
5-10 weeks = 7.5 sq in (D) , 11
>10 weeks = 9 sq in (D), 15

Question 25

When must auxillary ventilation be used in any cargo space containing live GPs or hamsters?

Answer 25

When the ambient temp is 75F or higher.

Question 26

The ambient temp in the animal cargo space should not exceed 85F or fall below 45F, except in what situation?

Answer 26

May fall below 45F for hamsters if they are acclimated and accompanied by a certificate.

Question 27

GPs or hamsters should have access to food and water or a type of food which satisfies both needs if they will be transported for longer than:

Answer 27

6 hours

Question 28

How often must GPs and hamsters be observed during transit?

Answer 28

Not less than once every 4 hours.

Question 29

Can animal shipments be comingled with inanimate cargo?

Answer 29

No

Question 30

The air temperature in an animal holding area housing GPs and hamsters cannot exceed or fall below what temperatures?

Answer 30

45F and 85F

Question 31

Transport devices should be covered to provide protection for GPs and hamsters when temps fall below what? GPs and hamsters must not be subjected to surrounding air temps which fall 45F or exceed 85F for longer than how many minutes?

Answer 31

50F. 45 minutes.