Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Gerbils

What are the 3 primary breeds of guinea pigs?

American/English, Abyssinian, Peruvian

What is the average weight of male guinea pigs?

900-1200g

What is the average weight of female guinea pigs?

700-900g

What is the life span of guinea pigs?

5-6 years

How long is the gestation period for guinea pigs?

59-72 days

How many toes do guinea pigs have?

4 in the front, 3 in the rear

Guinea pig pups are born _______

Precocial

What does precocial mean?

Born with eyes open, a full coat, full teeth, vocalizing. AKA born mostly developed

What are some causes of stress in guinea pigs?

Poor diet, sudden diet changes, overcrowding, failure to maintain clean cages

What temperature do guinea pigs prefer?

70F

What is the name for male guinea pigs?

Boars

What is the name for female guinea pigs?

Sows

What must be supplied in guinea pigs diet because they cannot synthesize it?

Vitamin C

How should we not restrain guinea pigs?

Never scruff

What is a disease common in guinea pigs that is a result of lack of Vitamin C?

Scurvy

What are some symptoms of scurvy?

Lethargy, anorexia, biting due to painful joints, diarrhea, weight loss

What are the common causative agents of respiratory disease?

Bordetella bronchiseptica and streptococcus pneumoniae

What is enterotoxemia?

Antibiotics killing too much of the naturally occurring gram positive bacteria and it leads to an overwhelm in the amount of gram negative bacteria in the intestines

What are male hamsters and gerbils called?

Bucks

What are some common hamster breeds?

Syrian, teddy bear, russian dwarf, dwarf

What are female hamsters and gerbils called?

Does

What is a group of gerbils called?

A clan or horde

What is the lifespan of hamsters?

18-24 months

What is the lifespan of gerbils?

3-4 years

What is the gestation period of hamsters?

15-18 days

Hamsters are prone to what tooth problem?

Cavities/caries

What lab animal has the shortest gestation period?

Hamsters

What is the other name for diarrhea in hamsters?

Wet tail

Hamsters will do what if the temperature gets too low?

Hibernate

Are hamsters social or solitary creatures?

Solitary

Gerbils are susceptible to what disorder resulting from excitement or stress?

Seizures

How should a gerbil not be restrained?

They should never be held by the middle or end of the tail as they have a very thin layer of skin that can come off

Guinea pigs do not nurse when born for how long?

12-24 hours

What is parturition called in guinea pigs?

farrowing

What is an unusual feature seen in a blood smear from guinea pigs?

Kurloff cells