ANIMAL HEALTH AND OBSERVATION GUINEA PIGS This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded under the President’s Community-Based Job Training Grants as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.

Guinea Pigs Cavia porcellus - commonly known as cavies Cavia porcellus - commonly known as cavies Lab g. pigs originated from wild animals captured in South America. Lab g. pigs originated from wild animals captured in South America. There are still wild g.pigs in Peru, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay There are still wild g.pigs in Peru, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay

Guinea Pig Breeds Most lab g.pigs come from a strain of short haired animals established by Dunkin Hartley in 1926 Most lab g.pigs come from a strain of short haired animals established by Dunkin Hartley in 1926 Short smooth hair coat and have been widely accepted Short smooth hair coat and have been widely accepted Mostly albinos Mostly albinos

Guinea Pig Breeds Abyssinian Breed Abyssinian Breed Rough short hair Rough short hair Hair usually grows in rosettes and swirls Hair usually grows in rosettes and swirls Seldom used in research Seldom used in research

Guinea Pig Breeds Peruvian Breed Peruvian Breed Very long hair Very long hair Seldom use Seldom use

Research Useful in: Useful in: Nutritional research Nutritional research Particular kinds of shock (such as anaphylactic shock) Particular kinds of shock (such as anaphylactic shock) Lotions/ointments Lotions/ointments Their skin resembles humans Their skin resembles humans Immunology experiments Immunology experiments

Behavior Docile-making handling easier Docile-making handling easier Rarely bite or scratch Rarely bite or scratch Seldom climb or jump out of pens Seldom climb or jump out of pens Respond favorably to frequent handling Respond favorably to frequent handling Response to danger – immobility or sudden explosive scattering Response to danger – immobility or sudden explosive scattering Develop rigid habit patterns Develop rigid habit patterns Changes in feed, water, feeder or waterer may cause them to stop eating or drinking Changes in feed, water, feeder or waterer may cause them to stop eating or drinking

Behavior cont Vocalize when in pain or distress Vocalize when in pain or distress Loud squeal Loud squeal Whistles can be a greeting Whistles can be a greeting Establish male dominated hierarchies. Establish male dominated hierarchies. Subordinate animals may be chewed or barbed if housed in a group situation Subordinate animals may be chewed or barbed if housed in a group situation

ID Tattoo ear Tattoo ear Ear tag Ear tag Can fall out or be chewed Can fall out or be chewed Microchip Microchip Dye marking of hair OK for short term use Dye marking of hair OK for short term use NOTE – This is a dog’s ear so that you get the idea of what a tattoo looks like.

Handling One hand over shoulder area. One hand over shoulder area. Then place a hand under body for support Then place a hand under body for support

Sexing Examine external genitalia Examine external genitalia Males – penis and testes may be extruded by genital digital pressure Males – penis and testes may be extruded by genital digital pressure Females will have a y shape Females will have a y shape Female (notice the y shape)Male Note: These pictures do not show appropriate PPE (gloves)

SEXING Although this picture is a little further away than in the previous slide, this is a picture of 2 males.

Housing Colony pens on floor Colony pens on floor Tiered bins Tiered bins Large shoe box cages (plastic or metal) Large shoe box cages (plastic or metal) Should not be raised on wire Should not be raised on wire Foot injuries – such as bumblefoot Foot injuries – such as bumblefoot Hair loss Hair loss

Types of cages (rodents in general) PolypropylenePolycarbonate Polyphthalate Polyphenyl-sulfone

Housing This is a picture of bumblefoot.

Housing Height of cage needs to be at least 7 inches Height of cage needs to be at least 7 inches Weaning to 350g60 sq inches Weaning to 350g60 sq inches >350g101 sq inches >350g101 sq inches Nursing female101 sq inches Nursing female101 sq inches Wood shaving or shredded paper for bedding Wood shaving or shredded paper for bedding Avoid cedar and pine as they can be toxic. Avoid cedar and pine as they can be toxic. Interfere with respiratory, fertility and liver function. Interfere with respiratory, fertility and liver function.

Housing cont. Cage change several times per week or daily as they are messy. Cage change several times per week or daily as they are messy. Temp should be 64-78° F – optimal 72° F Temp should be 64-78° F – optimal 72° F Light cycles 12:12 or 14:10 (light:dark) Light cycles 12:12 or 14:10 (light:dark)

NUTRITION G. Pigs need diets which are rich in Vitamin C. G. Pigs need diets which are rich in Vitamin C. They can not synthesize their own Vitamin C. They can not synthesize their own Vitamin C. If G.Pigs are denied Vitamin C, they become deficient. If G.Pigs are denied Vitamin C, they become deficient. Vitamin C. deficiency can cause “scurvy” Vitamin C. deficiency can cause “scurvy” Scurvy can be fatal if not treated. Scurvy can be fatal if not treated. Rodent block food can not be fed to G. Pigs. Rodent block food can not be fed to G. Pigs. G. Pig and Rabbit food look similar G. Pig and Rabbit food look similar Rabbit food does not have Vitamin C added! Rabbit food does not have Vitamin C added!

DISEASE Scurvy - We discussed this earlier. Lack of Vitamin C in their diet. Scurvy - We discussed this earlier. Lack of Vitamin C in their diet. Malocclusion – Just with other species their incisors can overgrow. Malocclusion – Just with other species their incisors can overgrow. G. Pig may not each as much or stop all together G. Pig may not each as much or stop all together Should trim the teeth Should trim the teeth

DISEASE Bordetella Bronchiseptia – Disease of the upper respiratory tract Bordetella Bronchiseptia – Disease of the upper respiratory tract Rabbits should not be housed with guinea pigs due to this disease. Rabbits should not be housed with guinea pigs due to this disease. Samonellosis – Transmitted by ingestion of contaminated water, food or bedding. Samonellosis – Transmitted by ingestion of contaminated water, food or bedding. Lethargy, anorexia, soft feces or diarrhea, dyspnea, weight loss, rough hair coat and conjunctivitis. Lethargy, anorexia, soft feces or diarrhea, dyspnea, weight loss, rough hair coat and conjunctivitis.