Guinea Pigs Research Paper

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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 …show more content…

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 …show more content…

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.

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