Unit 2: Guinea Pig (Cram)

What breed of guinea pig is this?

Peruvian

What breed of guinea pig is this?

Abyssinian

What breed of guinea pig is this?

American

What breed of guinea pig is this?

Skinny pig

What breed of guinea pig is this?

Baldwin

What is the difference between a Skinny pig and a Baldwin?

Baldwins are born with hair and it falls out

What colour should guinea pig teeth be?

White (not yellow like other rodents!)

What genus species of bacteria can guinea pigs get from dogs?

Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)

What sound do guinea pigs make as a greeting, at feeding time, or as an alarm?

Whistle

What sound do guinea pigs make as a warning, alert, or is in pain

Drilling

What sound do guinea pigs make when they are frightened or in pain?

Squeal

What behaviour do guinea pigs do when they are excited?

Popcorn

What is the life span of guinea pigs?

5–7 years

What is the sexual maturity of male guinea pigs?

9–10 weeks

What is the sexual maturity of female guinea pigs?

4–6 weeks

What is the gestation for guinea pigs?

63 days

What is the range of litter size for guinea pigs?

2–5 pups

When are guinea pigs weaned?

21 days

What is the normal temperature range for guinea pigs?

37.2–39.6°C

True or false: Guinea pigs have much better eyesight than other rodents, they can rely on sight more than scent or hearing

False. They have poor eyesight like other rodents and compensate with hearing and scent

Which teeth in a guinea pig are hypsodont (continuously growing)?

Incisors, premolars and molars (cheek teeth)

What is the dental formula for guinea pigs?

2(I1/1, C0/0,P1/1, M3/3)

How many teeth do guinea pigs have in total?

20 teeth

What is the normal colour of guinea pigs urine?

Creamy yellow (due to high calcium)

Are guinea pigs ruminants or monogastrics?

Monogastrics

Are guinea pigs carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores?

Herbivores

Do guinea pigs engage in coprophagy (eating feces)?

Yes

Lack of what vitamin can cause scurvy in guinea pigs?

Vitamin C

What is something owners must be made aware of when storing their guinea pig's food?

Vitamin C has a short shelf life, store in a cool/dry place to prolong it

What is the type of reproductive cycle guinea pigs have?

Continuously polyestrus (cycle continuously throughout the year)

Before what age should a female guinea pig be bred, why?

Before 6 months, pubic symphysis fuses after this, leading to dystocia (difficult births)

True or false. Guinea pigs are monogamous, often choosing a mate for life

False. Guinea pigs mate in polygamous groups. Gerbils are monogamous

How many nipples do male and female guinea pigs have?

2 nipples

Term that describes guinea pig pups dependence or independence at birth

Precocial (independent)

What material should guinea pig water spouts be made from, why?

Metal, they will chew plastic ones

What shape are female guinea pig genitals?

"Y" shape

What percent of body weight is average blood volume for a healthy guinea pig?

7% body weight

What percent of circulation blood can you take from a guinea pig every 2–3 weeks?

10% circulating blood

What is the dominant leukocyte for rodents?

Lymphocyte

Why do guinea pigs get antibiotic enterotoxemia?

Guinea pigs have predominantly gram positive intestinal flora, when treated with gram positive antibiotics this leads to an overgrowth of gram negative bacteria

What could cause a guinea pig to be unthrifty, have stiff joints, lameness, and even death?

Soft tissue calcification (caused by imbalanced calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, or potassium in the diet)

What causes slobbers in guinea pigs?

Dental malocclusion

Which guinea pig is most at risk for pregnancy toxemia (ketosis): overweight or underweight?

Overweight

What is this condition called in guinea pigs?

Ulcerative pododermatitis

What genus of bacteria is ulcerative pododermatitis associated with?

Staphylococcus

Should food and water be removed from guinea pigs prior to anesthesia?

Food can be removed 2–4 hours before, water should not be removed to prevent dehydration