Investigation Into the Humaneness of Slaughter Methods for Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcelus) in the Andean Region

Guinea pigs (Cavia porcelus) are an important source of nonhuman animal protein in the Andean region of South America. Specific guidelines regarding the welfare of guinea pigs before and during slaughter have yet to be developed. This study critically assessed the humaneness of 4 different stunning/slaughter methods for guinea pigs: cervical neck dislocation (n = 60), electrical head-only stunning (n = 83), carbon dioxide (CO(2)) stunning (n = 21), and penetrating captive bolt (n = 10). Following cervical neck dislocation, 97% of guinea pigs had at least 1 behavioral or cranial/spinal response. Six percent of guinea pigs were classified as mis-stunned after electrical stunning, and 1% were classified as mis-stunned after captive bolt. Increased respiratory effort was observed during CO(2) stunning. Apart from this finding, there were no other obvious behavioral responses that could be associated with suffering. Of the methods assessed, captive bolt was deemed the most humane, effective, and practical method of stunning guinea pigs. Cervical neck dislocation should not be recommended as a slaughter method for guinea pigs

Guinea pigs sublethally infected with aerosolized Legionella pneumophila develop humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and are protected against lethal aerosol challenge. A model for studying host defense against lung infections caused by intracellular pathogens.

We have employed the guinea pig model of L. pneumophila infection, which mimics Legionnaires' disease in humans both clinically and pathologically, to study humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to L. pneumophila and to examine protective immunity after aerosol exposure, the natural route of infection. Guinea pigs exposed to sublethal concentrations of L. pneumophila by aerosol developed strong humoral immune responses. By the indirect fluorescent antibody assay, exposed guinea pigs had a median serum antibody titer (expressed as the reciprocal of the highest positive dilution) of 32, whereas control guinea pigs had a median titer of less than 1. Sublethally infected (immunized) guinea pigs also developed strong cell-mediated immune responses. In response to L. pneumophila antigens, splenic lymphocytes from immunized but not control animals proliferated strongly in vitro, as measured by their capacity to incorporate [3H]thymidine. Moreover, immunized but not control guinea pigs developed strong cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity to intradermally injected L. pneumophila antigens. Sublethally infected (immunized) guinea pigs exhibited strong protective immunity to L. pneumophila. In two independent experiments, all 22 immunized guinea pigs survived aerosol challenge with one or three times the lethal dose of L. pneumophila whereas none of 16 sham-immunized control guinea pigs survived (p less than 0.0001 in each experiment). Immunized guinea pigs were not protected significantly from challenge with 10 times the lethal dose. Immunized but not control animals cleared the bacteria from their lungs. This study demonstrates that guinea pigs sublethally infected with L. pneumophila by the aerosol route develop strong humoral immune responses to this pathogen, develop strong cell-mediated immune responses and cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity to L. pneumophila antigens, are protected against subsequent lethal aerosol challenge, and are able to clear the bacteria from their lungs. The guinea pig model of L. pneumophila pulmonary infection is as an excellent one for studying general principles of host defense against pulmonary infections caused by intracellular pathogens

Functional evolution of the feeding system in rodents

The masticatory musculature of rodents has evolved to enable both gnawing at the incisors and chewing at the molars. In particular, the masseter muscle is highly specialised, having extended anteriorly to originate from the rostrum. All living rodents have achieved this masseteric expansion in one of three ways, known as the sciuromorph, hystricomorph and myomorph conditions. Here, we used finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the biomechanical implications of these three morphologies, in a squirrel, guinea pig and rat. In particular, we wished to determine whether each of the three morphologies is better adapted for either gnawing or chewing. Results show that squirrels are more efficient at muscle-bite force transmission during incisor gnawing than guinea pigs, and that guinea pigs are more efficient at molar chewing than squirrels. This matches the known diet of nuts and seeds that squirrels gnaw, and of grasses that guinea pigs grind down with their molars. Surprisingly, results also indicate that rats are more efficient as well as more versatile feeders than both the squirrel and guinea pig. There seems to be no compromise in biting efficiency to accommodate the wider range of foodstuffs and the more general feeding behaviour adopted by rats. Our results show that the morphology of the skull and masticatory muscles have allowed squirrels to specialise as gnawers and guinea pigs as chewers, but that rats are high-performance generalists, which helps explain their overwhelming success as a group

Incidental Findings in Computed Tomography Examination of the Head in Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

(1) Background: Rabbits and guinea pigs are popular pet animals and often undergo computed tomography (CT) examination for assessment of pathologies of the head. The goal of the study was to review CT examinations of the heads of rabbits and guinea pigs to identify and classify incidental findings. (2) Methods: 60 CT studies of the heads of rabbits and 65 of guinea pigs presented at 2 Institutions were reviewed and the indications for the study recorded. (3) Results: The presence of CT findings not directly related to the reason for the CT examination was present in 40/60 (66.7%) studies of rabbits and in 42/65 (64.4%) studies of guinea pigs. Most commonly, the incidental findings involved the ears, in 24/60 studies in rabbits and in 29/65 studies in guinea pigs. Incidental findings involved the nasal cavities, respectively, in 9 and 7 rabbits and guinea pigs. Soft tissue mineralization was present in 11 rabbits and 17 guinea pigs. (4) Conclusions: Based on the present study, incidental findings detected on CT studies are often present in rabbits and guinea pigs. Veterinarians should be aware of the possible clinical impact of these findings

Characteristic of Individual Indicators of Endogenous Intoxication in the Experimental Asthma Dynamics and Their Correction by Thiotriasolin

The aim of this work was to find out the specifics of changes in endogenous intoxication, middle mass molecules (MMM) and erythrocyte intoxication index (EII) in the blood of animals for experimental asthma in different periods of its development and to correct them by thiotriazolin.Material and methods. Researches were carried out on 72 Guinea-pigs (males), which were divided into 6 groups for 12 animals in each of them. The last sixth group included animals that were treated by thiotriazolin. The drug thiotriazolin rate of 100 mg / kg intramuscularly since 23rd day of the experiment for 10 days was administered in the animals of sixth group. Experimental model of bronchial asthma was restored on Guinea-pigs by the V.I. Babych method (1979). In all groups of animals there were determined the middle mass molecules concentration in blood in the wave of 254 nm by I.A.Volchehorskiy, D.A.Dyatlova, E.I. Lvovska and others methods and EII by V.K. Kazymyrko V.I. Maltsev methods. Numerical results were adapted with static method using Student\u27s criteria.Results of the research. The highest level of endogenous intoxication in the blood was in the fifth group of Guinea pigs with asthma (33rd day), indicating the direct dependence of the antigenic effect on their severity. Using of the thiotriazolin within 10 days (from 23rd to 33rd day) caused the decrease of the MMM254 concentration and EII in serum compared with a group of Guinea pigs, that were not entered the medicine. It approved its treating effect.Conclusions. So, the research of middle mass molecules and erythrocyte intoxication index indicators in different periods of experimental asthma showed their gradual increase in serum of Guinea pigs with the greatest severity in 33rd day of the experiment. It might indicate the development of endogenous intoxication animals. But the using of thiotriazolin caused the decreasing of these indicators. That gives a reason to state its positive effect on some markers of endogenous intoxication and feasibility of further researches

Marsvin (Cavia) som djurunderstödda insatser till äldre människor med demens

Guinea pigs are used as Animal Assisted Interventions (AAI) to people with different disabilities and are often used in healthcare environments. There are studies made that highlight guinea pigs as AAI for children with autism and the results show that there are plenty of positive effects for the children, but there are not a lot of studies on the effects for the animals. There are studies that have come to the conclusion that dogs show positive effects on humans when used in AAI. This study is made as a literature study that aimed to answer the following questions: 1) Could Guinea pigs be used as animal assisted interventions for people with dementia? 2) Are guinea pigs’ natural behaviours catered to when being used as animal assisted interventions to people with dementia? 3) Is there anything to suggest that people with dementia get positive or negative effects of having guinea pigs as animal assisted interventions? The information was collected from different articles, books and scientific studies from Primo (SLU-university library search engine), PubMed and Google Scholar. The results show that guinea pigs are social animals that have been domesticated by humans to have more social interactions and vocalisations that make them the pets they are today. Used in AAI guinea pigs have positive effects on children with autism, such as the children got less aggressive, more social towards other children and calmer. In some studies with guinea pigs in AAI, the results have shown that the guinea pigs’ natural behaviours are not met, as they are stressed by being restrained, however if these are taken into account AAI can provide as a kind of enrichment for the guinea pigs. However, there are not any studies on guinea pigs and dementia. To conclude, there need to be more research on guinea pigs’ effect on people with dementia. Also, there is need for more information on the effects on the animals used in animal assisted interventions

Lymphocyte populations and their relationship to cell-mediated immune responses in aflatoxin-treated guinea pigs

Effects of aflatoxin on cell-mediated immunity were investigated in guinea pigs. Dose dependent reductions in skin test responses were observed in guinea pigs which received at least 0.040 mg/kg/day aflatoxin B(,1) equivalents (B(,1) eq) for 3 weeks. Reduced weight gains were apparent at the 0.020 mg/kg/day B(,1) eq level. Serum bile acids were elevated at low levels of aflatoxin ingestion, in guinea pigs which displayed normal skin test responsiveness and weight gain;Passive transfer of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) was used to evaluate T lymphocytes or macrophages from aflatoxin-treated guinea pigs. The skin test responses of both nontreated guinea pigs receiving peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) from aflatoxin-treated guinea pigs and aflatoxin-treated guinea pigs receiving PEC from nontreated guinea pigs were numerically lower, but not significantly different (P \u3c 0.05), than that of controls. Variability in susceptibility to aflatoxin was noted among individuals within groups;A bacterial binding assay currently used to identify human lymphocytes was adapted for use in guinea pigs. Three lymphocyte markers were identified: Salmonella schottmulleri and Yersinia enterocolitica, which appear to label all or some guinea pig T lymphocytes in peripheral blood; and Brucella melitensis, identified as a marker for guinea pig B lymphocytes in peripheral blood. Lymphocytes from spleen, thymus, and lymph node had different binding capacities than lymphocytes in peripheral blood, reflecting perhaps maturational differences among lymphocytes from different sources;Lymphocytes from nontreated and aflatoxin-treated guinea pigs were counted using immunofluorescence and bacterial markers. No changes occurred in absolute number of B or T lymphocytes identified by immunofluorescence. The number of S schottmulleri-positive lymphocytes closely approximated the numbr of T lymphocytes identified by immunofluorescence, except at the highest dose of aflatoxin used. At this level (0.060 mg/kg/day B(,1) eq) some T lymphocytes identified by immunofluorescence were refractory to binding of S schottmulleri;Aflatoxin impaired skin test responsiveness and passive transfer of DTH without causing quantitative changes in T or B lymphocyte populations in peripheral blood

Computed Tomographic Findings Secondary to Dental Pathologies: Comparison between Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

(1) Background: dental pathologies are the most frequent reason for requesting a CT scan of the head in rabbits and guinea pigs. The study aimed to review head CT exams of both species to identify and characterize lesions secondary to dental disease. (2) Methods: head CT studies of 48 rabbits and 52 guinea pigs with dental pathologies were reviewed. (3) Results: dental abnormalities of mandibular teeth were the most represented, both in rabbits (81.2%) and guinea pigs (98%). The aggressive bone lesion associated with teeth was the more frequently observed bone lesion in rabbits’ mandible and maxilla; in guinea pigs, the more frequent bone lesions were bulging around the roots of the teeth with focal lysis in the maxilla, and without focal lysis in the mandible. In the maxilla, the increased attenuation of nasal cavities (rhinitis) was the most frequently observed abnormality both in rabbits (60%) and guinea pigs (83.3%); the exophthalmos was more represented in rabbits (53.3%). In the mandible, the cavernous space-occupying lesion was more represented both in rabbits (92.3%) and guinea pigs (73.3%). (4) Conclusions: lesions secondary to dental pathologies were often observed both in rabbits and guinea pigs; CT examination has proven to be valuable in detecting secondary alterations in both species

Comparison of the Host Ranges and Antigenicity of Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium wrairi from Guinea Pigs

Oocysts of a Cryptosporidium isolate from guinea pigs were not infectious for adult mice, but were infectious for two of three newborn calves and for suckling mice. However, oocysts isolated from calves or mice infected with guinea pig Cryptosporidium were not infectious for guinea pigs. Four isolates of C. parvum from calves were incapable of infecting weanling guinea pigs. Microscopic examination of tissue from the colon and cecum of suckling guinea pigs inoculated with C. parvum revealed sparse infection of some pups. These host range studies and previously described differences in 125 I-labeled oocyst surface protein profiles between Cryptosporidium sp. from guinea pigs and C. parvum suggest they are distinct species. We propose the name Cryptosporidium wrairi be retained. Studies with monoclonal antibodies indicate that C. wrairi and C. parvum are antigenically related.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75184/1/j.1550-7408.1992.tb01471.x.pd

Influenza Virus Infection in Guinea Pigs Raised as Livestock, Ecuador

To determine whether guinea pigs are infected with influenza virus in nature, we conducted a serologic study in domestic guinea pigs in Ecuador. Detection of antibodies against influenza A and B raises the question about the role of guinea pigs in the ecology and epidemiology of influenza virus in the region