Cavies Vs. Gerbils What is a Cavy!? - PowerPoint Presentation

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Cavies Vs. GerbilsSlide2

What is a Cavy!?

Guinea Pig!Slide3

Background Of Cavies

A Guinea Pig is neither a pig nor does it come from a Guinea.

Instrumental in the research of nutrition, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseasesSlide4

Characteristics of Cavies

Adult Guinea pigs can be 8 – 14 inches long and weigh 1 – 4 pounds.

Very sensitive to hearing

Communicate with high squeals

Highly developed sense of smell

Keen sight and excellent peripheral visionSlide5

Housing And Equipment For Cavies

Cage with a plastic bottom to prevent bed scattering

1 Guinea Pig needs 12” x 24”

Vivarium (Aquariums) are ok

Wood Cages = Not Good

Wood will rot and Cavies will eat it

Food Bowl must be heavy glass

Vacuum-Type Water BottleSlide6

Feeding Cavies

Vegetarians

Large Front incisor teeth that grow continuously

Lettuce, Carrots, Apples, Pears, Turnips and Cucumbers are their favorite snacks

Feed twice a daySlide7

Care And Handling Of Cavies

Brush Daily

Longhaired – clipped around rear

Careful when bathing (don’t like bathes)

Use baby shampoo

Dry and keep warm after bath

To hold:

Grasp firmly around from shoulders and support rear with other hand

Cradle in the palm and forearm and hold close to bodySlide8

Diseases In Cavies

Malocclusion – Teeth do not stop growing

Tapeworms – Internal parasites that cause a bloated tummy, rough coat and worm in feces

External Parasites – Fleas, Mites, Lice and Flies

Respiratory Infections – Colds that can lead to pneumonia

Heat Sensitivity – Keep in a cool areaSlide9

Reproduction In Cavies

Females = 5 litters a year

Gestation = 56 – 74 days

Birth will take 10 – 30 minutes

Babies can eat solid food, open their eyes and will have full fur within 24 hours

Nurse for 3 weeks

Weaned at 4 weeks Slide10

What is a Gerbil???

A Hamster!!!Slide11

Background Of Gerbils

Began as a native animal to the desert

Captured in 1931 and tamed – became a pet

Adult hamster – 5 – 6 inches long & 4 oz.

Not recommended for children because they are hard to handleSlide12

Characteristics of Gerbils

Nocturnal animals

Solitary animals

Life span = 1 – 3 years

Prefer a temperature of 70 degrees

Under 50 degrees and they will hibernateSlide13

Housing And Equipment For Gerbils

10” x 16” x 10” cage

Gnaw proof material

Typical = Steel side and top with plastic floors

Vacuum Type Water Bottle

Aquariums can be used

Exercise Wheels

Plastic = Very little noiseSlide14

Feeding Gerbils

Purchase commercially prepared pellets

Large front incisors that grow continuously

Gnawing on pellets will wear down teeth

Supplement the diet with corn, millet, wheat, oats, sorghum or sunflowers.

Diet needs to stay consistentSlide15

Care And Handling Of Gerbils

Do not disturb while sleeping

Lightly tap the cage and speak to the gerbil

The more you pay attention to your gerbil the more accustomed it will get to you

Set it on your kitchen table

Held by picking up firmly between the thumb and forefingerSlide16

Diseases In Gerbils

Abscesses – Pockets of infection where pus accumulates under the skin

Wet Tail – Highly Contagious, Found in recently weaned animals, May die quickly

Skin Diseases – Mites

or Ringworm

Hibernation – Become in a semi-comatic stateSlide17

Reproduction In Gerbils

Sexually mature at 6 weeks

Females = Heat every 4 days

Gestation = 16 days

Females are placed into man’s cage

Day 10 = Gerbils begin moving around the cage

Day 14 = Eyes open

Wean at 25 days

Males become infertile after one year of ageSlide18

Brochure Activity

Choose either Cavy or Gerbil

Create a brochure using the information we have discussed.

Includes the following topics:

Background

Characteristics

Housing and Equipment

Feeding

Care and Handling

Diseases

Reproduction