Guinea Pig

Environmental enrichment for laboratory rodents and rabbits: Requirements of rodents, rabbits, and research

Environmental conditions such as housing and husbandry have a major impact on the laboratory animal throughout its life and will thereby influence the outcome of animal experiments. However, housing systems for laboratory animals have often been designed on the basis...

Year Published: 2005Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Baumans, V. 2005. Environmental enrichment for laboratory rodents and rabbits: Requirements of rodents, rabbits, and research. ILAR Journal 46(2), 162-170.

Passive responses of young guinea pigs during exposure to a novel environment: Influences of social partners and age

Guinea pig pups exhibit a two-stage, active/passive response during isolation in a novel environment that resembles the “protest” and “despair” stages observed in some species of primates. The present study examined social and developmental influences on the expression of the...

Year Published: 2005Animal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Hennessy MB, Morris A. 2005. Passive responses of young guinea pigs during exposure to a novel environment: Influences of social partners and age. Dev Psychobiol. 46;86-96.

Collecting blood from rodents: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum

The question was asked: "In your own experience, what is the least disturbing technique - from the subject's point of view! - of blood collection for rodents?" In summary, it is fair to conclude the clinical and ethical concerns outweigh...

Year Published: 2005Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Other Rodent, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Luzzi, M., Skoumbourdis, E., Baumans, V. et al. 2005. Collecting blood from rodents: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum. Animal Technology and Welfare 4, 99-102.

Environmental enrichment for laboratory rodents

In this article, laws and guidelines relating to rodent enrichment are reviewed, the natural behaviors of select rodent species are discussed, and an overview of widely used types of enrichment in laboratory rodent management is provided. Survey data on current...

Year Published: 2005Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Natural Behavior, Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hutchinson, E., Avery, A., Van de Woude, S. 2005. Environmental enrichment for laboratory rodents. ILAR Journal 46(2), 148-161.

A refinement in guinea pig housing within the laboratory enviroment

The aggression problem in groups of males was addressed by partitioning the large cage and dividing the group into pairs. This considerably reduced the incidence of bullying.

Year Published: 2005Animal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Agass, K., Ruffle, I. 2005. A refinement in guinea pig housing within the laboratory enviroment. Animal Technology and Welfare 4, 51-52.

Evaluation of the provision of hay to guinea pigs at GlaxoSmithKline

Two males in the group 3 had to be euthanized due to bite wounds from fighting with cage mates - this aggression is something we have also experienced in older male guinea-pigs where it is not possible to feed hay.Male...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Cozens, M. 2006. Evaluation of the provision of hay to guinea pigs at GlaxoSmithKline. Animal Technology and Welfare 5, 31-32.

Preparation of animals for research — Issues to consider for rodents and rabbits

This article provides details to consider when preparing to use animals in biomedical research. The stress of transport and receipt of animals into a new environment mandate the need for a period of stabilization and acclimation. This allotment of time...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Regulations & Ethical Review, Relocation & Transport, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Other Rodent, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Conour, L. A., Murray, K. A., Brown, M. J. 2006. Preparation of animals for research -- Issues to consider for rodents and rabbits. ILAR Journal 47(4), 283-293.

Cortisol responses and social buffering: a study throughout the life span

At four critical life stages of social development (preweaning, periadolescent, sexually but not socially mature, and sexually and socially mature), the same male guinea pigs were exposed to the stressor of exposure to a novel environment for 4 h while...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Hennessy, M. B., Hornschuh, G., Kaiser, S. et al. 2006. Cortisol responses and social buffering: a study throughout the life span. Hormones and Behavior 49(3), 383-390.

Animal Research Review Panel Guideline 21: Guidelines for the Housing of Guinea Pigs in Scientific Institutions

Valuable recommendations for the species-adequate housing and species-approriate care of guinea pigs; topics include Housing (enclosure size, substrate, shelter, nesting material), Environmental Enrichment, and Husbandry (light, temperature, humidity, cleaning).

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Animal Research Review Panel. 2006. Animal Research Review Panel Guideline 21: Guidelines for the Housing of Guinea Pigs in Scientific Institutions. New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW, 55 pp.

The effects of individual housing and routine laboratory procedures on stress parameters in the guinea pig

Individual housing and routine laboratory procedures in guinea pigs caused body weight gain suppression, however had no effect on adrenal parameters.

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Lazaroff, L., Marsh, S., Grzembski, F. et al. 2006. The effects of individual housing and routine laboratory procedures on stress parameters in the guinea pig. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 173 (Abstract).