Guinea pigs, chinchillas, and degus (Caviomorphs)
Guinea pigs, chinchillas, and degus (Caviomorphs)
Guinea pigs, chinchillas, and degus are rodent members of the class Mammalia, order Rodentia, suborder of hystricomorphs, and parvorder of caviomorpha. All three species were originally kept for reasons other than as companions: the guinea pig for food, the chinchilla for fur, and the degu for laboratory use as a model for diabetes. These species all need the company of their own species. Living in social groups can provide better vigilance for predators and opportunities for play and mutual grooming. Caviomorphs may find handling stressful, especially if they have had limited or negative experiences. Gastrointestinal disease is common in all three species, often linked to an inadequate diet. The best method of euthanasia is usually sedation if needed, followed by the injection of an overdose of pentobarbitone into a vein. Stress-related behaviours and health conditions include over- or under-eating, pica, over- or under-grooming, repetitive behaviours, and aggression either to other animals or humans.
Animal Welfare, Companion Animal
185-202
Mcbride, Elizabeth
8f13b829-a141-4b67-b2d7-08f839972646
Meredith, A.
958ace8b-bd1e-47ce-91d5-fbacde4af413
2019
Mcbride, Elizabeth
8f13b829-a141-4b67-b2d7-08f839972646
Meredith, A.
958ace8b-bd1e-47ce-91d5-fbacde4af413
Mcbride, Elizabeth and Meredith, A.
(2019)
Guinea pigs, chinchillas, and degus (Caviomorphs).
In,
Yeates, James
(ed.)
Companion animal care and welfare: The UFAW companion animal handbook.
(UFAW Animal Welfare Series)
Hoboken.
Wiley-Blackwell, .
(doi:10.1002/9781119333708.ch8).
Record type:
Book Section
Abstract
Guinea pigs, chinchillas, and degus are rodent members of the class Mammalia, order Rodentia, suborder of hystricomorphs, and parvorder of caviomorpha. All three species were originally kept for reasons other than as companions: the guinea pig for food, the chinchilla for fur, and the degu for laboratory use as a model for diabetes. These species all need the company of their own species. Living in social groups can provide better vigilance for predators and opportunities for play and mutual grooming. Caviomorphs may find handling stressful, especially if they have had limited or negative experiences. Gastrointestinal disease is common in all three species, often linked to an inadequate diet. The best method of euthanasia is usually sedation if needed, followed by the injection of an overdose of pentobarbitone into a vein. Stress-related behaviours and health conditions include over- or under-eating, pica, over- or under-grooming, repetitive behaviours, and aggression either to other animals or humans.
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e-pub ahead of print date: 7 December 2018
Published date: 2019
Additional Information:
© 2019 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare
Keywords:
Animal Welfare, Companion Animal
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 467411
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/467411
PURE UUID: 0f4c0603-9116-47b5-a8cd-d9dd18084935
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Date deposited: 07 Jul 2022 17:22
Last modified: 09 Apr 2024 22:16
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Contributors
Author:
A. Meredith
Editor:
James Yeates
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