GUINEA PIG MANAGEMENT Cavia porcellus
Origin Cavia porcellus – domesticated Cavia aperia – wild wild – Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay also known as Cavies domesticated 16 th century – England
Varieties of Guinea Pigs Traditional American or English – short hair Abyssinian – whorls of short rough hair Peruvian – long hair
Varieties of Guinea Pigs New varieties Silky – medium length soft hair Teddy – short, coarse hair American Crested – short hair with contrasting whorl on forehead Rex – very short, soft hair Hairless
Traditional varieties of guinea pigs
American – short hair
Abyssinian – whorls of short hair
Peruvian – long hair
New varieties of guinea pigs
Silky – soft, medium hair
Teddy – short, coarse hair
American crested – contrasting whorl on head
Rex – very short, soft hair
Hairless – (well, almost)
Basic Guinea Pig compact stocky body tailless diurnal – actually short naps night and day sebaceous marking glands - rump open rooted teeth
Additional characteristics vocalize – at least 11 sounds good swimmers seldom jump rarely bite or scratch need frequent handling lifespan – 5 yr average, ~8 yr max.
Uses of Guinea Pigs Pets Scientific research Food
Home Sweet Home Temperature: 70, 65 – 79 Space < 350 gm 60 sq. in. > 350 gm 101 sq. in. max size 1.2 x 3.8 cm mesh or solid
Home Sweet Home Bedding wood shavings – not cedar, pine shredded paper not dusty timothy hay overlay optional clean weekly
Home Sweet Home Humidity 50%; 40 – 70 Light cycle 12:12 Air changes 10 – 15 per hour
Digestive System Strict herbivores Hind gut fermenters – cecum Lactobacilli sp. primary fatty acid – propionic acid
NUTRITION require vitamin C have higher folic acid requirement sensitive to excess Ca, Vit. A, Vit. D leads to metastatic calcification mineralization of soft tissues
Feeding Additional Requirements ~ 6 gm feed/100 gm body weight % protein % crude fiber Use guinea pig feed!!! NOT RABBIT FEED no vit. C and high in vit. D
Feeding Management Messy feeders Use J-feeders not bowl
Water Management Glass/clear bottles preferred Like to play with waterers will empty water bottle and/or stop up the opening check frequently Change & Clean water bottle daily Automatic waterers check daily; acidify water at source reduces pseudomonas
Water Management Glass/clear bottles preferred Like to play with waterers will empty water bottle and/or stop up the opening check frequently Change & Clean water bottle daily Automatic waterers check daily; acidify water at source reduces pseudomonas
Water Management Glass/clear bottles preferred Like to play with waterers will empty water bottle and/or stop up the opening check frequently Change & Clean water bottle daily Automatic waterers check daily; acidify water at source reduces pseudomonas
REPRODUCTION age to sexual maturity estrous cycle days gestation days
SEXING male: straight slit female: Y-shaped
SEXING male: straight slit
SEXING female: Y-shaped
BREEDING females pair at 400gm; 2-3 months males pair at 600 gm; 3-4 months breed females before 6 months otherwise pubic symphysis fuses must relax at parturition
Care of Young precocial – born furred, eyes open, teeth erupted walking within 2 hours two nipples – inguinal region can care for four young litters 3-4 (range 1-6)
Care of Young milk 3.9% fat 8.1% protein 3.0% lactose
DISEASES genetic infectious environmental nutritional others
DISEASES malocclusion – over growth of teeth causes environmental \ inadequate opportunity wear down teeth genetic \ teeth do not meet properly in guinea pigs lower premolars may be tilted inward eventually tongue is trapped
INFECTIOUS DISEASES Bordetella bronchiseptica - pneumonia do not house with subclinical carriers rabbits, cats, dogs other infectious diseases are much less common
OTHER DISEASES vitamin C deficiency – scurvy metastatic calcification mineralization of soft tissues heat stroke 85º F+, high humidity, lack of ventilation barbering small bald patches
Public Health Risks minimal diseases guinea pigs may carry Bordetella, Salmonella, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Streptococcus