Abyssinian guinea pig

Abyssinian guinea pig is an animal.

Abyssinian guinea pigs have eight to ten "wheels" on their bodies, and the more symmetrical they are, the better. They come in various colors. They are 22-34 centimeters long and weigh 400-700 grams. They have a short, stout and round body, large head, large and round bright eyes, round ears, split upper lip, and short ears. Their forelimbs have four toes and hindlimbs have three toes, without an outer tail.

Abyssinian guinea pigs have eight to ten "rosettes" on their bodies, the more symmetrical the better, and their fur comes in a variety of colors. Also known as Dutch pigs, Dutch guinea pigs, shorthair pigs, pigs, and guinea pigs, their ancestors came from the Andes Mountains in South America. In the 16th century, European merchants brought them to the West, where people loved these small animals and kept them as pets. They have a gentle and cute nature and are relatively easy to care for, making them still a common household pet today. Some organizations around the world are dedicated to breeding guinea pigs, and people have developed various breeds with different fur colors and unique appearances.

Loved by the small pet community, it is recommended to keep Abyssinian guinea pigs. Abyssinian guinea pigs are animals. Abyssinian guinea pigs have 8 to 10 "whorls" on their bodies. The more symmetrical they are, the better the quality. Their fur color is diverse. They are 22 to 34 centimeters long and weigh 400 to 700 grams. They have a short, stout and round body, a large head, big and round eyes that are bright, round ears, a split upper lip, and small ears. Their limbs are short, with 4 toes on their front feet and 3 toes on their hind feet, and they have no external tail.

Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency) - caused by a low level of Vitamin C in the diet. This results in defects in collagen formation, immature bone formation, and increased bone resorption. Fractures (most commonly in the proximal tibia) and swelling with deformities, leading to joint flattening. Bleeding can occur throughout the body (due to vascular collagen defects). Animals become lethargic, anemic, and reluctant to move. Joints may swell and fracture, requiring Vitamin C supplementation in water and food.

Streptococcal lymphadenitis - the lymph nodes in the neck become filled with pus and swell, eventually bursting and oozing. It has a high infection and mortality rate and can lead to sepsis and systemic infections that are difficult to combat. Streptococcus zooepidemicus is the primary cause, although other pyogenic bacteria can also be involved. It is recommended to introduce clean animals back into the population.

Antibiotic Toxicity - like most rodents, almost all antibiotics cause diarrhea, ultimately leading to death. Traditionally believed to be caused by moderate growth of Gram-negative bacteria. Recent studies have shown that toxins produced by Gram-positive bacteria, specifically Clostridial bacteria, are also significant factors in mortality. Therefore, antibiotic treatment should only last for a short period (no more than seven days).

Spontaneous diabetes mellitus - Abyssinian guinea pigs are prone to this disease, which may be caused by a retrovirus. C-type retrovirus particles have been detected in the urine of infected animals.

Guinea pig leukemia - can be found in both strains of animals, with infected animals exhibiting poor health and enlarged spleen, liver, and lymph nodes. Blood leukocyte counts can reach up to 250,000/mm3. It is a lymphocytic leukemia that progresses to weakness before death.

Pododermatitis - foot injuries caused by floor materials or walking on excreta. It is difficult to treat effectively. Prevention is the key.

Pneumonia - Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common pathogen. Rabbits, pigs, dogs, and other species can be carriers of hidden Bordetella bronchiseptica, so they should not be housed with guinea pigs.

Ringworm - very common. Trichophyton mentagrophytes is the main causative agent of guinea pig ringworm.

Abyssinian guinea pigs have strong breeding ability from birth. As for gestation, the time is generally two months, and they can give birth to about 7 offspring each time. The breeding time is not fixed, and it is almost the mating period throughout the year. Overall, Abyssinian guinea pigs breed six times a year. During this period, parents should pay extra attention to their diet and living environment, and try to provide a warm and comfortable breeding environment, which is beneficial to their production! Like most guinea pigs, Abyssinian guinea pigs have a variety of food preferences. Weeds and hay are their favorites, followed by vegetables and greens. When feeding, parents can add some pelleted feed to the food, which is more conducive to balancing their diet. In addition, in the cold winter, parents can crush hay, peanut shoots and other foods, and then add some bran to better meet the nutritional needs of Abyssinian guinea pigs! Overall, the difficulty of raising Abyssinian guinea pigs is not great, but it is not a simple matter to raise them well. Before raising them, prepare a cage of suitable size for them and place some snacks in it. These little guys love to eat and sleep naturally, and they also have a habit of gnawing, so parents should often let them play outside without worrying about not being able to find them. The movements of these guinea pigs are relatively slow, and they can be seen at a glance!

1. Bathtub for bathing. It is recommended to use a higher bathtub because many guinea pigs are not used to bathing and will try to jump out. Use natural shampoo or special shampoo for small animals. If not available, use mild ones. Prepare a soft towel and a hairdryer, and connect the dryer to a power source. Prepare some food that guinea pigs like to eat. It's optional.

2. Prepare warm water and wet the guinea pig, but avoid wetting the head. Apply shampoo. If using human shampoo or body wash, be sure to rinse the guinea pig thoroughly with clean water several times because it can be dangerous if not completely rinsed. After bathing and drying the guinea pig, they usually clean themselves again. If they lick the shampoo into their stomach, it can be harmful.

3. After cleaning, quickly wrap the guinea pig in a towel and place it in a clean box. Use the hairdryer, which is already connected to electricity, to dry a small part of the guinea pig. Pay attention to the temperature of the dryer. You can put your hand near the guinea pig to check the temperature to avoid it being too hot or too cold.

4. After drying a small part of the guinea pig, lay a towel on your body and hold the guinea pig in your arms while using the hairdryer. If you have prepared food, you can feed them at this time. The reason for laying the towel on your body is to keep the guinea pig warm and prevent it from getting wet. It can also help absorb the water under their belly. We often cannot dry the water under their belly completely, and flipping them over to dry can make them uncomfortable. So laying a towel is very useful. Feeding the guinea pig is to divert their attention. Many guinea pigs are not used to hairdryers and are afraid of the sound. They may hide in clothes or run away. Offering food can shift their attention, so they won't run away. When the guinea pig finishes eating, its brain will naturally adapt to the sound of the hairdryer, and it will run away less fiercely or not at all.

5. If it is an Abyssinian guinea pig, dry it completely because their hands are longer and water can be easily hidden where the long and short fur meets. Be careful not to let it catch a chill.