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Rabbits & Guinea Pigs




Animal Name
Rabbit








Scientific Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus

Class: Mammalia

Order: Lagomorpha

Body Temp.: 103 degrees F (38.5-40 degrees C)

Respiration Rate: 35 - 65 BPM

Weight:

Gestation period: 29 - 35 days

Avg. Litter size: 4 -10 kits

Age at weaning: 4 weeks

Recommended Temperature: 60.8-69.8 degrees F (16-21 degrees C)

Relative Humidity: 40 - 60%

Photo Period (light/dark): 14/10

Water Consumption: 5-10 ml/100 gm/day

Food Consumption: 5 gm/100 gm/day

Sexual Maturity:

Estrus Cycle: induced

Life Span: 6 years

Breeding Life:

Identification Methods: ear studs, tags, ear tattoo

* Housing Requirements: floor area/animal = 1.5 - 5 sq. ft stainless steel, wire mesh floor

Bleeding Methods: marginal ear vein, cardiac puncture (anesthetized)(terminal), central ear artery

Anesthesia Methods: halothane, pentobarbital, methoxyflurane, ketamine-xylazine

Euthansia Methods: chemical euthanasia solutions given IV, overdose of anesthetic agent/CO2

Problem areas & diseases: ear mites, enteritis, pasteurellosis (snuffles), malocclusion, "broken back" (if handled improperly)

Other: urine is naturally cloudy; coprophagic; induced ovulation

* (See NIH Guide, page 14). Housing requirements may change pending new legislation.

Vendors
Myrtle's Rabbitry

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Animal Name
Guinea Pig








Scientific Name:Cavia porcellus

Class: Mammalia

Order: Rodentia

Body Temp: 103 degrees F (37.2 - 39.5 degrees C)

Respiration Rate: 84 BPM

Weight:

Gestation period: 58 - 70 days

Avg Litter size: 2 - 4

Aga at weaning: 18 - 24 days

Recommended Temperature: 64.4-78.80 degrees F(18-26 degrees C)

Relative Humidity: 40 - 70%

Photo Period (light/dark): 12/12

Water Consumption: 70 ml

Food Consumption: 70 gm

Sexual Maturity:

Estrus Cycle: 16 days

Life Span: 6 years
Breeding Life:

Identification Methods: color stamp; eartag; tattoo

* Housing Requirements: floor area/animal = 60 - 101 sq. in. polycarbonate or polypropelene (tub style cage), solid, bedded floor 8 solid walls to revent drafts

Bleeding Methods: cardiac puncture (anesthetized) (terminal)

Anesthesia Methods: ketamine, methoxvflurane, pentobarbital

Euthanasia Methods: C02, OD sodium pentobarbital

Problam areas & diseases : dystocia, slobbers, Bordetella bronchiseptica, pregnancy toxemia (ketosis), malocclusion

Other: requires vitamin C; penicillin is toxic

* (See NIH Guide, page 14) Housing requirements may change pending new legislation.

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Vendors
Charles Rivers Laboratory/Sasco
Harlan Sprague Dawley


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Last Updated: 12/03/01
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