Guinea Pigs Research Paper

Guinea Pigs

Cavia porcellus

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Guinea pigs, also know as cavy, are a species of rodent belonging to the family Caviidae. Guinea pigs originated in the Andes and were introduced to the Western Societies in the 16th century by European traders. Since then Guinea Pigs have been view as household pets all over the world and are no longer seen in the wild. Guinea pigs make great pets due to their docile nature and easy handling ability. Guinea pigs can come in a variety or colors and a variety of hair lengths. Guinea pigs live from 4-8 years on average.

Housing

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An adult guinea pig can get quite large so making sure that you have the proper

sized cage is a must. Guinea pigs are not very agile and do not climb so when it comes to height, so a cage with different levels isn't required. They are very timid creatures and do need at least one proper sized hiding spot for them in their cage as well as when they are out of the cage. This helps them to be able to relax and feel safe and secure. If possible you should have a separate cage or “playpen” where you guinea pigs can have more room to run about and play to get more exercise. If you do not have the space to keep an extra cage or “playpen” you should make sure you take your guinea pig out once a day to allow them to run about and get some exercise. Guinea pigs tolerate cold better then they tolerate heat. Be sure to be careful as to where you place you guinea pig cage and if you take them outside in the summer make sure they have plenty of water and shade. Do not leave your guinea pig unattended outside as there are many risks (health and predators) that can harm your guinea pig.

Guinea pigs are group animals which means they like to live in groups. When adopting a
guinea pig it is best to adopt more than one so that they can live together in a group.

Most guinea pigs get along well together, although there are always some that don't. It is a rare occurrence that this will happen but you should always be prepared for it in case it does. If you adopt a pair of guinea pigs under the age of 6 months and they are the same-sex (siblings or not), then you will be risking the fact that they may not get along in the future. If you get a male/female pair and the male is neutered or the female is spayed and they are currently living together, it is very rare that they will cease to get along at any point in the future. Any problems with getting along are usually temporary and resolve shortly after.

Bedding

The cage bottom should be lined with an appropriate type of bedding such as aspen or a paper based bedding. They are easily litter trained as they naturally like to use the same corner each time. Large rodent litter boxes are available at most pet stores. It is very important to only use a litter that is appropriate for rodents such as paper based or organic based litters. Avoid clay based litters as if it gets ingested it can cause problems in the intestinal tract and also avoid cedar based bedding as it is believed to be toxic for guinea

pigs.

Diet

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Guinea pigs should have an unlimited supply of hay offered to them daily. Mixed grass hay or Timothy hay is preferred because it is lower in calories and calcium than alfalfa. It is also higher in fiber than alfalfa. Guinea pigs should be given 3-4 servings of fresh vegetables and fruit per day along with their pellets and hay. No more than ¼ cup of pellets per day should be given to adult guinea pigs. For guinea pigs younger than 6 months an unlimited amount of pellets may be given. Guinea pigs should never be fed chocolate (toxic to guinea pigs), cookies, crackers, breakfast cereals, bread, pasta, yogurt drops or other "human treats." There is research to suggest these items may contribute to fatal cases of a toxic overgrowth of bacteria in the intestinal tract. For safe vegetables and fruits you can give your guinea pig, consult your veterinarian.
Sexing

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Female Male

Many pet stores miss interpret the sex of guinea pigs. When purchasing a guinea pig it is always good to double check the sex of the guinea pig. It is best to take your guinea pig to a veterinarian who deals with guinea pigs on a regular bases to confirm the sex and not a pet store since these veterinarians have the knowledge and experience in sexing your guinea pig versus pet stores. Knowing the sex of your guinea pig is key to preventing unwanted pregnancy. Sexing can be done at any age but if sexing is done a young age it is best to confirm sex in two weeks. You can sex your guinea pig as well. Males or “boars” there should be a indent in the skin at the top of the genital area this is where the penis is tucked away underneath. Press gently just above the genital area and the penis should protrude. For females or “sows” they will generally have a smooth swelling over their genital area. Sometimes this area can look bumpy and be mistaken for a male but if you gently part the genital opening a “Y” shape opening is what you should be seeing in a female guinea pig.

Breeding

Guinea pigs can become sexually mature as early as the age of 4 weeks old. Females or “sows” come into heat every 15-17 days for 24 to 48 hours. It is not recommend to breed guinea pigs due to breeding and birthing complication. If you are considering breeding your guinea pig it is recommended you speak with your veterinarian first. You can spay and neuter your guinea pigs to prevent unwanted pregnancy and possible health issues in the future.
Daily And Weekly Care

Everyday you should “spot clean” your guinea pigs cage. “Spot cleaning” is when you look around the cage and remove any debris and fecal matter out of the cage. You should also clean your guinea pigs water and food dish daily. Dump left over food and water out. Clean dishes with a pet friendly soap. Water dishes may need to be changed several times a day depending on condition of water ie. hair in water, shavings found in dish etc. Once a week their whole cage should be cleaned including removing bedding and adding new bedding. Remove all old bedding and wash cage with a pet friendly soap or disinfectant. Dry cage well before adding new bedding and items that belong in cage.

Maintenance/Grooming

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Their teeth are constantly growing so having wood chews for them is a very good idea. Guinea pigs may require tooth trims if teeth are over grown. If you notice your guinea pigs having difficultly chewing or eating, they may be suffering from over grown teeth, ulcers in the mouth, or an infection. Consult your veterinarian
if you notice any problems with eating or chewing. Nails should be trimmed every 4 – 6 weeks. Long haired guinea pigs do require frequent brushing to avoid matting of the fur. You can bathe your guinea pig in mildly warm water with mild guinea pig approved shampoo, paying special attention to not getting the face or ears wet.
Guinea pigs require an annual checkup. Be sure to call your vet if there is difficulty breathing, hair loss, drinking lots of water, not moving around much, not eating or anything else you think is unusual.
Health Concerns

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Respiratory issues: A variety of viruses and bacterias can cause your guinea pigs to have respiratory issues. Signs of respiratory problems/infection can be sneezing, lethargy, discharge from the nose and/or eyes, loss of appetite and difficulty breathing. You can help prevent respiratory problems by keeping your guinea pigs cage clean and in a draft-free area. Any sign of any of these symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Lumps: Lumps on your guinea pig can be a numerous amount of thing – cysts, tumors (cancerous or not), etc.

There is no way to prevent these from happening. The only thing you can do is help early detection of the lump by feeling your guinea pigs every so often to see if you feel any lumps or bumps. If you notice any lumps have your veterinarian examine the lump as soon as possible.

Skin issues: Many skin problems in guinea pigs are caused by an external fungus. This infection usually starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body. Symptoms of fungal infections including loss of fur and itching. If your guinea pig has a fungal infection you will notice your guinea pig scratching a lot. Guinea pigs can also get lice and mites which also cause itching and scratching. Mites and lice can also leave scabs and cause hair loss.

Eye Issues: Guinea pigs sometimes develop eye problems as a result of another condition, such as a respiratory infection, diabetes, teeth problems or dehydration. Eye issues caused by these problems can include signs like crusty or watery discharge, protruding or receding eyes, or cloudy eyes. Guinea pigs can develop cataracts from underlying issues such as diabetes or old age. They can also develop corneal ulcers from injury to the eye. The eye may appear swollen and watery in these cases. The eye can also appear cloudy in these situations. To prevent eye problems keep your guinea pigs cage clean and free of objects that may harm your guinea pig.

If you notice anything abnormal or any discharge from your guinea pigs eyes, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Foot Sores: Guinea pigs can develop sore hocks from living on a wire-only cage bottom. Their hind legs become red and swollen at the bottoms, and they can lose some of their hair in that area. If the problem is bad enough, the guinea pig may not want to move around because of the pain. To prevent hock sores make sure your guinea pig has a solid flooring where they cannot damage their feet.