Lab Animal Health Final

Which of the following is the scientific name for the Mongolian gerbil?

Meriones unguiculatus

Which breeding scheme is the most successful in gerbils?

Monogamous pairing

What do gerbils use for territorial marking and pup identification?

Ventral marking gland

Which of the following is the scientific name for the guinea pig?

Cavia porcellus

What is the male guinea pig called?

Boar

Food should be withheld from guinea pigs prior to anesthesia because:

They can hold large amounts of feed in their mouths.

T or F: Gerbil pups are altricial when born.

True

T or F: Guinea pigs have very little difference in anogenital distance between males and females of the species.

True

T or F: Guinea pigs are precocial when they are born.

True

T or F: Guinea pigs engage in barbering when distressed.

True

T or F: Guinea pigs are agile climbers.

False

T or F: Gerbils are prone to having seizures.

True (20-50% of gerbils)

What kind of estrus cycle do gerbils have?

polyestrous

How long is a gerbil's gestation?

24- 26 days

What is the weaning age for gerbils?

21 days

When concerning reproduction, female gerbils have a high incidence of what?

ovarian cysts

Gerbils require ____ to prevent oily coats.

sand baths

What are the strains of inbred guinea pigs?

• strain 2

• strain 13

What is the name of the outbred guinea pigs?

Hartley (albino)

What type(s) of sexual cycles do guinea pigs have?

polyestrous and nonseasonal

What is the gestation period for guinea pigs?

59-72 days

What is the weaning age of guinea pigs?

14-28 days

T or F: Like other rodents, guinea pigs do not vomit and do not need to be fasted prior to anesthesia.

True

Guinea pigs are ready to breed at what age?

12 weeks

When housing guinea pigs, you should avoid high dust content bedding do to their susceptibility to ____ disease.

respiratory disease

T or F: Wire-bottom cages are the standard for guinea pig housing.

False, can cause bumblefoot

Guinea pig feed must contain vitamin ___

vitamin C