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29 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Guinea pig classification
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Order: Rodentia, Suborder Hystricognathi.
Scientific name is Cavia porcellus, or Cavy |
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Guinea pig life span
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4-8 years, average of 5 years. Litter size is 1-13 (2-4 is average)
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Guinea pig TPR
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Temp: 99-103 Degrees F
HR: 230 - 380 bpm RR: 42 - 104 breaths/min |
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What is the most common breed of guinea pig for both pets and lab animals?
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English Guinea Pig. Duncan-Hartley and Hartley stocks are the most common out bred stocks used in biomedical facilities.
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Guinea pig research importance
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~Audiology studies (easy visualization of internal ear structures
~Nutritional studies (their need for vit C) ~Immunologic studies including hypersensitivity reactions and infectous disease (unique antigen responses) ~Studies of hormonal effects ~Dermal studies |
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Kurloff Cells
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leukocytes that contain intra cytoplasmic inclusions may be seen on a blood smear. They are of unknown origin and function but may play a role in fetal antigens and potential cancer resistance. Higherr number in females
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Palatal ostium
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The hole in the soft palate that represents an opening between the oropharynx to the rest of the pharynx. Makes intubation very difficult
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Lung anatomy
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Left lung is made up of three lobes and the right lung has four lobes
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Sexing males and females
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Sows have a Y shaped depression in perineal area and have a single pair of nipples present
Boars have a scrotal pouch and testes that are obvious. In young males, you can apply digital pressure along genetalia to expose the penis from prepuce |
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Guinea pig gestation and reproduction
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59 - 72 days (68 days average) gestation. Sexual maturity is at 2-3 months and they are NON-seasonally polyestrous
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Sow reproduction - What is unusual about females reproductive organs?
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Females must be bred before 6 months of age or their pelvis will fuse together. Females have bicornate uterus with a seperate cervix in each horn
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Heat and the guinea pig
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Heat is an incredible stressor for guinea pigs, anything above 85 degree F should be avoided
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Why wouldnt you feed a guinea pig rabbit food?
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It's too high in fiber and not enough protein, and also doesn't contain enough vitamin C
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Capture and restraint
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Place one hand in front of the animal and the other hand under the thorax. Scoop the animal and move your hand from the front to the rear to support the hind quarters
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Oral medication administration
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Mixed with a palatable liquid if water is not enough. Can use sugar or syrup.
Administered via syringe introduced into the diastema (behind incisors and ganines) of the mouth |
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SQ Medication administration
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Remove from cage, place on flat surface. Tent loose skin behind the back of neck and insert the needle into space.
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IM Medication administration
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Should use 2 peeps for this. Place on flat survace while one person gently holds over the thorax and the other administers the injection into the gluteal or quadriceps muscle (no more than 0.5 ml/site
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IP Medication administration
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2 people needed, one to hold the animal with one hand supporting the hindquarters and the other hand placed around the shoulder area under the front legs. The guinea pig should be turned on it's back with the nose slightly pointed down. The other person should administer the injection into the lower right quadrant of the abdomen with a small gauge needle (<23g)
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IV medication administration
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Requires anesthesia, and RARELY PERFORMED.
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how long should guinea pigs be fasted prior to anesthesia induction?
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3 hours to allow cecum to empty
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Acceptable methods of euthanasia
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Carbon dioxide chamber asphyxiation
Overdose of an inhalant Overdose of injectable anesthetic agent |
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Guinea pig anatomy - Thorax and Abdomen
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Stomach has NO non-glandular portion, cecum is large and takes up most of abdominal cavity.
Liver has 6 lobes and they do have a gall bladder |
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Bacterial disease - Pneumonia
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Most common bacterial disease in guinea pigs, normal respiratory flora can cause this and can also be caused by poor husbandry, overcrowding, improper nutrition, and noise (predisposes them to bacterial pneumonia)
Symptoms include dyspnea, eye/nose discharge, lethergy and anorexia. Tx with ABO's |
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Bacterial disease - Cervical lymphadenitis (Lumps)
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Usually caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus and normal flora in eyes and nasal cavity can cause this. Wounds in mouth impacting lymph nodes can lead to bacterial translocation. Lymph nodes become infected and fill with thick, purulent exudate. Tx includes drainage and ABO's
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Bacterial enteritis
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More common in family guinea pigs and is due to unwashed veggies. Overgrowth or translocation of bacteria leads to GI infection. Most common cause is Salmonella typhrium and S. enteritidis.
Signs include anorexia, lethargey, weakness, weight loss, acute death |
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Viral disease - Cytomegalovirus
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Latent viral infection present in 75% of guinea pigs. Transmiited transplacentally and via saliva and urine. No symptoms are seen unless stressors are present. Signs would include swelling of salivary glands
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Viraal disease - Cavian Leukemia
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Type C coronavirus and transmittted transplacentally. Stress and aging trigger activation of virus and symptoms can include a rough hair coate, lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Often fatal w/in 5 weeks of onset of symptoms
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Pododermatitis
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AKA Bumblefoot. Often seen in overweight and pet guinea pigs. Fecal contamination,wire bottom cages, or abrrasive bedding are predisposing conditions. Hyperkeratosis of foot pads followed by ulceration and bacteria will enter ulcers (such as staphlococcus aureus)
Symptoms include foot swelling, lameness, anorexia, unwillingness to move. Tx=debridement of wounds, topical ABO, foot bandages and change of environment |
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Antibiotic toxicity
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GI flora is gram-positive, and many common ABO's target gram-positive bacteria. Administration of these meds lead to overgrowth of clostridia and gram-neg baceria. Guinea pigs should be given ABO's in the tetracycline or sulfa families, along with yogurt or beneback with the ABO's. Penicillins, erythromycin's, etc should be avoided!
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