< Guineaping
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- 5P18
Guinea pigs are valuable research animals
because of the variety of experiments in
which they can be used. They are often used
to test lotions and ointments because their
skin resembles human skin. Long use of the
guinea pig in bacteriological and serological
research has resulted in a sizeable accumulation
of information on blood values, cell counts,
elementary analyses and physical constants.
Guinea pigs have been used frequently in
nutritional research and in immunology experiments.
Guinea pigs became known to research scientists
after sailors brought them to England from
Peru as pets. The Dunkin-Hartley strain,
developed by the British, is the most widely
used in laboratories. It is almost always
an albino with short, smooth hair. A second
type of guinea pig, the Abyssinian, has
short, rough hair that grows in rosettes.
The present day Peruvian type of guinea
pig, with long hair, is seldom used in research.
Of all of the commonly used lab animals,
guinea pigs are one of the most nervous
and high-strung species. The guinea pig
needs to be approached quietly and confidently.
It will seldom scratch a human when it is
picked up if it is supported well. If it
does become alarmed, however, the whole
colony can detect the fright and become
apprehensive. To pick up the pig, grasp
behind its head and in front of its forelegs
with the thumb and forefinger. With the
remaining fingers, hold the pig behind its
front legs and rib cage. Use the other hand
to support the hindquarters.
Good sanitation is extremely important
in the guinea pig colony. The animals are
very susceptible to paratyphoid infections.
Cages need to be cleaned often to keep the
animals as free of microorganisms as possible.
Like monkeys and human beings, guinea pigs
need daily doses of vitamin C to prevent
the development of scurvy. Scurvy can develop
within seven to ten days without dietary
vitamin C. Normally a daily intake of 10
milligrams of ascorbic acid will be adequate
to keep the guinea pig free from scurvy
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