CHAPTER 14 Guinea Pigs Copyright 2010 Delmar Cengage

CHAPTER 14 Guinea Pigs Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 1

History of Guinea Pigs • Exact history of domestic cavy unknown – May come from C. aperea, C. tschudii, or C. fulgida – Does not come from Guinea • Bred for meat production in South America for at least 3, 000 years Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 2

• Brought to Europe in 16 th century • Since mid-1800 s, used for pathology, nutrition, genetics, and toxicology research, as well as serum development Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 3

Common Guinea Pig Varieties • • Abyssinian American Peruvian Satin Silkie Teddy White Crested naked Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 4

Abyssinian Guinea Pig • Rough, wiry hair coat – Hair made of rosettes (swirls or cowlicks) – More rosettes are desirable • Found in all colors and color combinations Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 5

American Guinea Pig • Most common variety • Short, very glossy, fine hair – Short hair eases care • Found in widely varied colors and color combinations Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 6

Peruvian Guinea Pig • Longhaired variety – Hair length, evenness, and balance are deciding features – Hair requires much upkeep (can be 20” long) • Lacks a tail • Found in many of the colors and color combinations as American variety Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 7

Satin Guinea Pig • Fur is distinguishing feature – Fine, dense, and soft – Luxurious and shiny • Found in colors and color combinations of other varieties Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 8

Silkie Guinea Pig • Longhaired variety – Unlike Peruvian, no long frontal sweep over head – Mane sweeps back from head, between ears, over the back, and down the sides • Sometimes called the Sheltie • Found in colors and color combinations of other varieties Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 9

Teddy Guinea Pig • Short, kinky hair – Short, resilient strands – Lies thick and close to the body – Whiskers also kinked • Found in colors and color combinations of other varieties Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 10

White Crested • Shorthaired variety – Resembles American shorthair except for crest – Crest is white rosette that radiates evenly from center of forehead • Found mainly in self, solid, and agouti colors • Breeds video Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 11

Characteristics of Guinea Pigs • Physical makeup – Adult length of 8 to 10”, weight of 1 to 2 pounds – Short, stocky build with short legs – Short, blunt, rounded nose – Short ears with little fur – Agouti, self, solid, and marked colors Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 12

• Skills – Very sensitive hearing – Highly developed sense of smell – Excellent peripheral vision Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 13

• Behaviors – Live in colonies or clans – One dominant male and 5 to 10 females Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 14

Desired Qualities of Guinea Pig Housing • • • At least 12” x 24” Plastic bottom that is 3 or 4” deep Sides of vertical wire bars or glass Heavy glass or earthenware food bowls Vacuum-type water bottle When housed outside – Portable house or run-in (3 square feet/pig) – Temperatures above 50°F Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 15

Basics of Guinea Pig Feeding • Vegetarian diet – Must consume vitamin C • Foods tailored to age/state – Young or pregnant pigs: High-alfalfa pellets and dry alfalfa hay – Adults: Clover and grass hay pellets and lowprotein dry clover and grass hays Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 16

• Other food sources – Romaine or green leaf lettuce (no iceberg), kale, carrots, apples, pears, turnips, beets, cucumbers – Wheat, corn, and oats • Constant source of fresh water Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 17

Basic Care of Guinea Pigs • Regular grooming – Shorthaired: Daily brushing – Longhaired: Combing and brushing, clipping • Occasional bathing – Use mild shampoo – Avoid chills • Regular nail clipping Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 18

Handling Methods for Guinea Pigs • Acclimation process – In new home, allow long exploration time – Offer treats (fresh greens, carrots, apples) – Pet and lift to overcome shyness • Lifting technique – Grasp firmly around front shoulders with one hand, support rear with other – Cradle in palm and forearm close to body Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 19

Guinea Pig Diseases and Ailments • • • Respiratory diseases Neck swellings Toxemia (pregnant females) Mites and biting lice Overgrown or maloccluded teeth Genital-area obstructions Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 20

Guinea Pig Reproduction • Sexual maturity – Females at 2 months – Males at 3 months • First breeding before female is 7 months – Pair breeding – Colony breeding • One male with 2 -20 females Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 21

• Gestation period from 56 to 74 days • Up to 5 litters yearly (2 to 4 average) • Young fully developed at birth – Weigh 1½ to 4½ ounces – Have open eyes and full fur – Running and eating solid food in 24 hours • Day old babies Copyright 2010 Delmar, Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. 22