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Guinea Pigs (Laboratory) - Pathology (view source)
Revision as of 15:43, 15 February 2011
, 15:43, 15 February 2011no edit summary
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
Guinea pigs or “cavy” originate from South America and in the wild are a type of burrowing animal. They are nocturnal herbivores and were originally domesticated by the Incas as a source of nutrition. Guinea pigs are widely used in experimentation for a number of reasons, including highly developed young at birth (due to a relatively lengthy gestation period), the ability of the young to eat solid food at age 2-3 days, being fully haired and completely mobile. These factors reduce many issues and complications regarding the use of experimentation animals. Guinea pigs are also among the easiest laboratory animals to handle and can be housed in open top cages due to their in ablility to climb or jump.
Guinea pigs or “cavy” originate from South America and in the wild are a type of burrowing animal. They are nocturnal herbivores and were originally domesticated by the Incas as a source of nutrition. Guinea pigs are widely used in experimentation for a number of reasons, including highly developed young at birth (due to a relatively lengthy gestation period), the ability of the young to eat solid food at age 2-3 days, being fully haired and completely mobile. These factors reduce many issues and complications regarding the use of experimentation animals. Guinea pigs are also among the easiest laboratory animals to handle and can be housed in open top cages due to their in ablility to climb or jump.
===Heatstroke===
===Heatstroke===
Although this can occur in outdoor guinea pigs exposed to direct sunlight, heavily pregnant females are the most susceptible especially if they have been deprived of water. This can be a problem during transportation or during problems with laboratory infrastructures such as air conditioning.<br />
Although this can occur in outdoor guinea pigs exposed to direct sunlight, heavily pregnant females are the most susceptible especially if they have been deprived of water. This can be a problem during transportation or during problems with laboratory infrastructures such as air conditioning.<br />
[[Category:Laboratory Animal Pathology]]