![]() ![]() Mating is usually nocturnal and can be determined by the presence of sperm on a vaginal smear or the presence of a copulatory plug in the vagina. Vaginal smears are useful for determining the stage of the estrous cycle. The duration of the estrous cycle is 15-17 days and estrus itself lasts 24-48 hours. Guinea pigs are polyestrous and breed year round ovulation is spontaneous. Breeding onset is when the female attains a weight of approximately 500 grams (2-3 months) and males, a weight of approximately 650 grams (3-4 months), although females may have their first estrus at 5-6 weeks of age. Female guinea pigs are called sows males are called boars.Food intake is approximately 6 g/100 g BW/day water intake is approximately 10 ml/100 g BW/day.If supplements are offered, they should not consist of more than 15% of their diet. ![]() Diets, such as these, are nutritionally complete and do not require supplementation. Guinea pigs have a dietary requirement for Vitamin C, and therefore, should be fed a commercial pelleted diet formulated specifically for guinea pigs.These cells contain a large intracytoplasmic inclusion, proliferate during estrogenic stimulation and pregnancy, and may function to protect fetal antigens from sensitized maternal lymphocytes and immunoglobulins. Kurloff cells are unique mononuclear leukocytes (white blood cells) that occur in guinea pigs.The urethra of the female guinea pig generally opens along the ventral edge of the clitoral fossa, but occasionally opens independently below the vulva.There may also be mediastinal thymic tissue. The thymus is located subcutaneously on either side of the trachea and is easily removed surgically.The male and female guinea pig has two inguinal mammary glands.The left lung consists of three lobes the right lung consists of four lobes.The guinea pig has a large cecum, accounting for up to 65% of the gastrointestinal tract volume. The stomach is entirely glandular and not separated into chambers like other rodents.Normal average rectal temperature: 103✯.Respiratory rate: 42 - 105 breaths/minute.Teeth chattering of nervous pigs can also be seen. Scattering to the corner of the cage or freezing in place for up to 20 minutes may be seen. Guinea pigs panic easy in response to a new or frightening experience.With this two-handed technique, the animal can be held securely in any position. It is important to support the rear quarters, especially large adult and pregnant animals, in order to prevent injury. A guinea pig is lifted by placing one hand around the animal’s trunk and supporting the hind limbs with the other hand.Guinea pigs are also used for food by the Andean Indians.Guinea pigs kept as pets come in several coat colors and are available in different "hair styles", those being the English and American with short hair, the Abyssinian with rough hair going in a pattern of rosettes and the Peruvian with long silky hair. In the 1500’s, guinea pigs were introduced into Europe and kept for fancy.The most common inbred strains used are strain 2 and 13, which are tricolor. The shorthairs come in a variety of colors the Dunkan-Hartley and Hartley are albinos. The most common stocks used in research are the short hair (English and American), Dukan-Hartley, and Hartley. Most domestic guinea pigs are bread specifically for use in biomedical activities. The name "guinea pig" has become synonymous with "experimental subject" in the English language.Guinea pigs are nocturnal feeders the diet consists of various forms of vegetation. They are gregarious, living in burrows they make themselves or in abandoned burrows made by other animals. Guinea pigs inhabit a variety of terrains ranging from mountains to grasslands. The guinea pig or cavy is native to South American, particularly Peru, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.Biology of the Guinea Pig Biology of the Guinea Pig ![]()
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