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guinea pig Flashcards

(46 cards)

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1
Q

Where do guinea pigs originate from?

A

South America - found in western mountains, shelter in rocky outcrops and ledges

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2
Q

What are guinea pigs called?

A

cavies -cross between a rabbit and guinea pit

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3
Q

Live in family groups with?

A

1 dominant male

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4
Q

What dietary category does a guinea pig fall under?

A

herbivore - graze on grasses and leafy plants

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5
Q

In South America, Guinea pigs are raised as?

A

meat animals

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6
Q

T/F - was the Guinea pig the first animal used in lab medicine?

A

True

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7
Q

Guinea Pigs behavior is typically?

A

easy to handle, docile, rarely bite (mouth is too small)

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8
Q

Guinea pigs should be kept away from other pets (cats, dogs, ferrets) because?

A

they are predators and can cause stress which is a major factor in health concerns

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9
Q

How many breeds are there of guinea pigs?

A

13

  • 2 hairless mutations (skinnies - no hair except on head & lower legs), Baldwins (born w/full coat that is lost at weaning)
  • short-haired (American/English)
  • silkie
  • Abyssinian (whorls)
  • Teddy
  • Peruvian (long hair-needs grooming)
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10
Q

What are behaviors in guinea pigs?

A

social - will share housing with others - not 2 males together - crowding or breeding animals may fight
respond to human companionship
Very vocal - wide range of sounds - chirps = contentment, drilling = warning or pain
handle often to keep them socialized
Coprophagic - adults eat feces directly from anus

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11
Q

Lifespan of guinea pig?

A

4 to 8 years

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12
Q

Males are called?

A

boars

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13
Q

Females are called?

A

sows

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14
Q

young are called?

A

piglets/pups

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15
Q

body looks like?

A

short, stock, tailless bodies, 1 pair of inguinal teats

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16
Q

What are teeth like?

A

open-rooted incisors - means they grow throughout life, and cheek teeth (both molars and premolars = hypsodontic

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17
Q

what does hypsodontic mean?

A

small mouth makes biting difficult, dental disease is common due to overgrowth check for malocclusion

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18
Q

malocclusion?

A

malocclusion is where the teeth of a guinea pig grow unevenly or too long, causing damage to the inside of the mouth. These can injure both the tongue and insides of the cheeks, making it very painful – and even impossible – for the guinea pig to chew and eat.

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19
Q

What is the cecum?

Study These Flashcards
A

large occupying large portion of abdominal cavity - monogastric - stomachs are completely glandular

20
Q

T/F. Guinea pigs overheat easily?

21
Q

peri-anal sebaceous glands are for?

Study These Flashcards
A

scent marking - pronounced in males, drag rumps to scent mark, buildup of oil on coat - requires grooming, glands can become impacted w/fecal material & bedding - foul smell (use mineral oil to soften impacted and clean w/warm water

22
Q

Males have an __ penis.

Males have prominent, slender ___ on either side of anal area

Study These Flashcards
A

os penis - can be everted w/gentle thumb pressure, caudally directed, on the lower abdomen
testicles - due to open inguinal canal, can be sexed incorrectly

23
Q

Anogenital area of female is more ___ & has ___ shape extending from anus to vaginal opening.

24
Q

what is polyestrous in guinea pig?

Study These Flashcards
A

estrus cycles last about 16 days

25
Sow do not build ___.
nests
26
Gestation is ___ days.
68
27
Babies are born___?
precocial
28
Define precocial?
babies are born ready to run - eyes and ears are open, full coat of hair, teeth are erupted (eating solid food right away)
29
Define altricial?
helpless (mice and rats) no fur, eyes closed,needs mom's protection
30
litter size?
3-4 young
31
weaned at ____ days
14 - 21 days
32
pups won't nurse for 1st ___ hrs.
12 - 24 hours
33
Males will care for young, grooming, playing T/F?
True
34
Sexual maturity for males =? females?
9 - 10 weeks, 4 - 6 weeks
35
What do they eat?
grass hay, commercial guinea pig pellet, fresh veggies, small amount of fresh fruit - introduce to new foods at early age (can become picky)
36
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is?
essential - young esp.
37
Why is vitamin c needed?
unable to synthesize from food - lack the necessary enzyme, necessary for metabolism of cholesterol, amino acids, carbs, growth repair of tissues, healing wounds, maintaining bone/teeth - breaks down in food within 90 days (check exp. date on bag)
38
Vit. C deficientcy = ?
scurvy with 4 days of decreased intake
39
What are some signs of scurvy?
lethargy, anorexia, swollen/sore joints, lameness, wt. loss
40
What is the treatment of scurvy?
Vit C supplementation, supportive care
41
What are foods with vit. C?
dark leafy greens, red/green peppers, broccoli, kiwi, oranges, tomatoes, cabbage
42
Vit. C in water quickly breaks down within ___ hours.
24
43
Handling?
hold securely with 2 hands close to body (1 hand around shoulders, other supporting the rump, use very little scruff (more of a pinch than scruff
44
What are some medical concerns?
Stress, disruption in GI issues - gut flora can lead to gut stasis (no activity) (most causes are in the cecum, respiratory illness, salmonella infections, submandibular abscesses "lumpy jaw (lymph node), dental (cheek folds), pododermatitis (bumble foot), reproductive disorders
45
Treatment of GI issues are?
fluid therapy, short-term antibiotics, probiotics (lactobacillus/yogurt), to restore normal gut flora
46
Zoonosis?
salmonella, scabies, ringworm, lymphocytic choriomeningitis ( viral infectious disease), cyrptosporidium (parasite)

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