Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
Published byKatherine O’Brien’ Modified over 9 years ago
1
GUINEA PIG MANAGEMENT Cavia porcellus
2
Origin Cavia porcellus – domesticated Cavia aperia – wild wild – Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay also known as Cavies domesticated 16 th century – England
3
Varieties of Guinea Pigs Traditional American or English – short hair Abyssinian – whorls of short rough hair Peruvian – long hair
4
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
5
Traditional varieties of guinea pigs
6
American – short hair
7
Abyssinian – whorls of short hair
8
Peruvian – long hair
9
New varieties of guinea pigs
10
Silky – soft, medium hair
11
Teddy – short, coarse hair
12
American crested – contrasting whorl on head
13
Rex – very short, soft hair
14
Hairless – (well, almost)
15
Basic Guinea Pig compact stocky body tailless diurnal – actually short naps night and day sebaceous marking glands - rump open rooted teeth
16
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.
17
Uses of Guinea Pigs Pets Scientific research Food
18
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
19
Home Sweet Home Bedding wood shavings – not cedar, pine shredded paper not dusty timothy hay overlay optional clean weekly
20
Home Sweet Home Humidity 50%; 40 – 70 Light cycle 12:12 Air changes 10 – 15 per hour
21
Digestive System Strict herbivores Hind gut fermenters – cecum Lactobacilli sp. primary fatty acid – propionic acid
22
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
23
Feeding Additional Requirements ~ 6 gm feed/100 gm body weight 18-20 % protein 10-16 % crude fiber Use guinea pig feed!!! NOT RABBIT FEED no vit. C and high in vit. D
24
Feeding Management Messy feeders Use J-feeders not bowl
25
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
26
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
27
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
28
REPRODUCTION age to sexual maturity 68-70 estrous cycle 15-17 days gestation 59-72 days
29
SEXING male: straight slit female: Y-shaped
30
SEXING male: straight slit
31
SEXING female: Y-shaped
32
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
33
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)
34
Care of Young milk 3.9% fat 8.1% protein 3.0% lactose
35
DISEASES genetic infectious environmental nutritional others
36
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
37
INFECTIOUS DISEASES Bordetella bronchiseptica - pneumonia do not house with subclinical carriers rabbits, cats, dogs other infectious diseases are much less common
38
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
39
Public Health Risks minimal diseases guinea pigs may carry Bordetella, Salmonella, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, Streptococcus
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.