• Guinea Pigs in Research.

     Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) are native to the Andes Mountains. Commonly called cavies, they are used as food and considered a delicacy. Guinea pigs are in the same family as degus, agoutis and chinchillas.


    Guinea pigs are covered under the Animal Welfare Act; primary enclosures have a height requirement of 7 inches and floor space requirements based on weight. Innovative primary enclosures are permitted if they provide sufficient space as required above and are approved by the IACUC.[1] Guinea pigs require contact bedding and can be housed in tubs without tops as they do not jump or climb. Group housing is preferred.


    In 1882, guinea pigs were the animal model that led to the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the cause of TB [2]. They are used as models for immunological studies, auditory research, and respiratory diseases including asthma. Their susceptibility to infectious disease makes them a good sentinel animal for TB, Q fever and Listeria. Their long gestation period makes them a good teratology model.[3]


    Guinea pigs require a source of vitamin C in their diet, and high levels of other nutrients such as folic acid and potassium[4], which makes them a good model for nutritional research. They are herbivores, and food intake is determined by bulk, not calories.[5]


    The most frequently used guinea pig is the Dunkin Hartley, an albino, outbred, short-haired strain. There are two inbred strains, the Strain 2 and Strain 13, which were developed in 1915. Guinea pigs can be difficult to work with, as they have no tail and therefore less bleeding sites than other rodents. Young are born precocial and look like miniature versions of their parents. They are able to eat solid food, but will nurse for a week or two. Certain antibiotics may cause toxic reactions, as they disrupt the balance of gut flora.


    Guinea pigs react badly to change; a new bowl or water bottle can be very upsetting, causing the animal to stop eating. New diets should be introduced gradually so the animal has time to acclimate. They also tend to become very attached to caretakers and changes in personnel will be noticed. They are docile animals, and easily startled.


    Care must be taken when providing enrichment for guinea pigs; they are wary of new objects in their cages and may be fearful, causing stress to the animal. Food enrichment is a good alternative; offering fresh kale also provides additional vitamin C. Since they do not make a nest, nesting materials are not needed, but a shelter that allows the animal to have privacy is a good structural enrichment.

     

    Take a look at some great enrichment items for Guinea pigs.


    [1] 9 CFR subpart B section 3.28
    [2]http://www.animalresearch.info/en/science/animalsused/guineapig
    [3]http://netvet.wustl.edu/species/guinea/gpmodel.txt
    [4]http://dvah.com/guineapi.htm
    [5] Harkness, J., et al., Harkness and Wagner’s The Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents, Fifth Ed., Hoboken:Wiley-Blackwell, 2010, p. 33..p. 51

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