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Guinea Pig: Natural History
Guinea Pig: Natural History
Breeds Eleven breeds are recognized with the three most popular being:
Peruvian: long hair
American or English: short hair
Abyssinian: whorled or rough hair
700-900 g
Adult Female
Mean life span 5-7 y
Target 65-79 F
environmental 18-26 C
temperature
Anatomy/ Physiology
Females must be bred before 6-9 months of age. Immature males and
Musculoskeletal: females have a fibrocartilaginous pelvic symphysis fusion, which becomes
ossified over 1 year of age. The symphysis remains cartilaginous in
primiparous sows so the pelvic canal can dilate allowing passage of the large
fetus.
Urogenital: Males have lateral scrotal swellings on each side of the anus.
Accessory glands include a prostate, coagulating gland, bulbourethral gland,
and seminal vesicles. Seminal vesicles are large, yellow-white tubular
structures, which lie dorsal to the bladder. The seminal vesicles may be
confused with the uterus.
Restraint Most pet guinea pigs are calm, gentle animals that rarely bite. To pick up a
guinea pig, cup one hand gently under the thorax and use the other hand to
support the hind end.
Large volumes: Jugular vein, cranial vena cava
Venipuncture Small volumes: Cephalic vein, lateral saphenous vein
Antibiotics to Avoid antimicrobials that attack only gram-positive bacteria such as beta-
Avoid lactams.
P.L.A.C.E.:
▪ Penicillin
▪ Lincosamide, lincomycin
▪ Amoxicillin, ampicillin
▪ Cephalosporins, clindamycin
▪ Erythromycin
References Banks RE, Sharp JM, Doss SD, Vanderford DA. Exotic Small Mammal Care
and Husbandry. Durham, NC: Wiley-Blackwell; 2010.
Mitchell MA, Tully TN. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. St. Louis, MO:
Saunders Elsevier; 2009.
To cite this page: Pollock C. Basic information sheet: Guinea pig. LafeberVet website.
Feb 14, 2010. Available at http://www.lafebervet.com/small-mammal-medicine/guinea-
pigs/basic-information-sheet-8/.