Guinea Pigs
Notes
GUINEA PIG (Cavia porcellus)
Physiologic parameters:
Body temperature = 37.2-39.5oC (98.96-103.1oF)
Heart rate = 230-380/min
Respiratory rate = 42-104/min
Tidal volume = 2.3-5.3 ml/kg
- Guinea pigs are considered among the most difficult laboratory animals to safely anesthetize.
- Apprehensive in novel surroundings, have few accessible peripheral vessels, unusually tough skin, and are difficult to intubate.
- May have pasty feed in their mouths, which can contribute to airway obstruction. Residue can be removed or reduced by gently rinsing the mouth with tap water before induction.
- Appropriate parameters to monitor in an anesthetized guinea pig include anesthetic depth, respiratory rate and pattern, pulse, and body temperature.
- Anesthetic depth may be assessed by loss of movement, loss of reflexes (corneal, pedal), muscle relaxation, and response to stimulation (such as a toe pinch)
Preanesthesia
- Atropine 0.05 mg/kg SC