6 Asher M , Spinelli de Oliveira E , Sachser N . Social system and spatial organization of wild guinea pigs ( Cavia aperea ) in a natural population . Journal of Mammalogy . 2004 ; 85 ( 4 ): 788 – 796 . Available from : https :// doi . org / 10.1644 / BNS-012 .
7 Zipser B , Schleking A , Kaiser S , Sachser N . Effects of domestication on biobehavioural profiles : a comparison of domestic guinea pigs and wild cavies from early to late adolescence . Frontiers in Zoology . 2014 ; 11 : 30 . Available from : https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / 1742-9994-11-30 .
8 Edis A , Pellet S . Veterinary care of guinea pigs . Part 1 : husbandry , stabilisation and diagnostics . Companion Animal . 2018 ; 23 ( 11 ): 649 – 657 . Available from : https :// doi . org / 10.12968 / coan . 2018.23.11.649 .
9 Witkowska A , Price J , Hughes C , Smith D , White K , Alibhai A , et al . The effects of diet on anatomy , physiology and health in the guinea pig . Journal of Animal Health and Behavioural Science . 2017 ; 1 ( 1 ): 103 . Available from : https :// core . ac . uk / download / pdf / 162663051 . pdf [ Accessed 1 June 2024 ].
Figure 3 . A companion may be beneficial to foraging and eating behaviours in hospitalised guinea pigs .
In small mammals , gut motility is key to good health . Physical activity supports increased gut motility ; therefore , if hospitalising a guinea pig with a bonded partner will increase explorative behaviour , the patient is more likely to show increased locomotion , leading to superior gut health compared with a less mobile patient .
As veterinary nurses , we must do whatever we can to ensure our patients feel as safe as possible , as well as working towards their physical recovery . By encouraging co-housing with a companion for comfort , we can increase explorative and foraging behaviours in guinea pigs , which could lead to faster recovery from illness , shortened hospitalisation periods and a general improvement in wellbeing .
Acknowledgements
10 Kaiser S , Kirtzeck M , Hornschuh G , Sachser N . Sex-specific difference in social support — a study in female guinea pigs . Physiology & Behavior . 2003 ; 79 ( 2 ): 297 – 303 . Available from : https :// doi . org / 10.1016 / S0031-9384 ( 03 ) 00091-X .
11 Hennessy MB . Social influences on endocrine activity in guinea pigs , with comparisons to findings in nonhuman primates . Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews . 1999 ; 23 ( 5 ): 687 – 698 . Available from : https :// doi . org / 10.1016 / S0149-7634 ( 99 ) 00013-5 .
12 Stamps J , Groothuis TGG . The development of animal personality : relevance , concepts and perspectives . Biological Reviews . 2010 ; 85 ( 2 ): 301 – 325 . Available from : https :// doi . org / 10.1111 / j . 1469- 185X . 2009.00103 . x .
13 Guenther A , Finkemeier M-A , Trillmich F . The ontogeny of personality in the wild guinea pig . Animal Behaviour . 2014 ; 90 : 131 – 139 . Available from : https :// doi . org / 10.1016 / j . anbehav . 2014.01.032 .
14 Edis A . Exotic encounters – offering care to different species . VN Times . 2022 ; 22 ( 8 ): 4 – 6 . Available from : https :// www . vettimes . co . uk / article / exotic-encounters-offering-care-to-different-species [ Accessed 1 June 2024 ].
15 Dammhahn M , Almeling L . Is risk taking during foraging a personality trait ? A field test for cross-context consistency in boldness . Animal Behaviour . 2012 ; 84 ( 5 ): 1131 – 1139 . Available from : https :// doi . org / 10.1016 / j . anbehav . 2012.08.014 .
The author thanks Abi Edis for her assistance in this research and for providing the guinea pig participants .
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