Guinea Pigs

What are the three main breeds?

English, Abyssinian, Peruvian

English outbred stocks

Duncan-Hartley, Hartley, Hairless Mutant Strain 2

Inbred Strain

Strain-13

Do guinea pig cross the middle?

no

How long does the freeze reaction last?

seconds to 20 minutes

What do they do when exposed to sudden movement?

stampeding, jumping, rapid circling

How many different sounds can they make?

11, some inaudible to humans

How many digits do they have?

4 on the front 3 on the back

Dental Formula

2( 1/1 I, 0/0 C, 1/1 P, 3/3M)

What is their only opening from the oropharynx to the pharynx?

palatal ositum

What digestive system?

monogastric

What is 65% of their GI capacity?

large cecum

What do they require in their diet?

vit C

How to tell female from male?

females have y-shaped genital-anal opening

What is special about their urine?

opaque, contains crystals

Gestation Period:

59-72 days

When must a sow be bred?

prior to 7 months

When can pregnancy be confirmed?

14-21 days

How long should farrowing be?

30 minutes

What is special about their newborns?

They are precocious

When are babies sufficient?

4-5 days

Do they need a top on their cage?

no

Which animals should they not be housed with?

rabbits, dogs, cats (prone to bordatella)

Enrichment

large PVC pipe, loose hay, fruit twigs, veggies

Blood collection methods

toenail bed, marginal ear vein, saphenous, cephalic, cranial vena cava, jugular, femoral artery, cardiac puncture

How to stimulate urine?

digital pressure on bladder, cystocentesis, cold surface, metabolic cages

Can you use gavage needles?

no

How long is pre-anesthetic fasting?

3-6 hours

sick symptoms

hunched postures, scruffy coat, anorexia, weight loss

What disease do they get when Vit C deficient?

scurvy