Plus-Hex CLINICAL
VNs and owner education
Overall, the authors of the questionnaires used in this literature review found owners to be knowledgeable in basic husbandry. However, concern arises when exotic pets are still frequently seen in veterinary practice for husbandry-related illness, and guinea pigs are increasingly surrendered due to unprepared owners [ 88 ].
Opportunities to give owners correct information is limited, as routine veterinary appointments for guinea pigs are less common than for cats and dogs; guinea pigs have no core vaccines and are neutered less frequently [ 16 ]. It is further arguable that, until pet shops consistently advise on appropriate care, guinea pig welfare is unlikely to progress [ 89 ].
VNs, as frontline advocates of animal welfare, can reinforce their knowledge by undertaking CPD in speciesspecific traits, needs and common conditions, particularly as general practices now see more exotic species [ 7, 90 ]. Greater vigilance will also help ensure neglected cases are reported to relevant animal welfare bodies [ 20 ].
Educating owners on housing, diet and husbandry will benefit their guinea pigs. An understanding of guinea pig behaviour will help owners provide a stable and constant environment, which, for a neophobic species, can prevent change-related health problems [ 8 ].
Information packs can be provided when owners register new guinea pigs, and nursing consultations can focus on nutrition, husbandry, preventative care and encouraging owner – pet interaction to help early recognition of disease and avoid belated veterinary attention [ 91 ]. This relies on an owner ' s willingness to accept new information and to actually book the appointment, but leaflets or posters in reception can be a useful initial point of contact [ 13 ]. Open evenings that are attended voluntarily may also be more attractive.
VNs could also ask owners to complete questionnaires before appointments to obtain fuller histories, compared with those taken in consultations, which are often too short [ 13 ].
VNs can ensure hospitalised guinea pigs are given appropriate accommodation by, for example, placing them in quiet kennels away from predators, encouraging owners to bring any companion guinea pigs along to reduce stress, and providing suitable nutrition [ 8 ].
Furthermore, a database of owner-accessible evidencebased information would be invaluable, as most academic journals are behind a paywall. However, creating such a database would require overcoming the constraints of time and staff shortages [ 92 – 95 ]. Perhaps groups of researchers could formulate current best practice and disseminate this via public-facing charities such as Blue Cross or RSPCA for easier access for all.
Conclusions
Taming animals comes with responsibility as, once domesticated, their welfare lies in human hands. Guinea pig care is seeing positive progress, with owners, veterinary practices and retailers mostly putting favourable changes in place in response to evidence from emerging studies and updated legislation. However, more improvement is needed, as poor welfare practices and research gaps remain. This article has identified starting points for advancing guinea pig welfare for VNs, other veterinary professionals and researchers. By working together and accepting change, animal welfare, as an ever-changing concept, can be supported and encouraged.
EXCLUSIVE
DIGITAL CONTENT
AVAILABLE ONLY IN THE DIGITAL EDITION
Appendix 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria Appendix 2 Summary of findings Appendix 3 Full reference list
REFERENCES
1 Lord E, Collins C, deFrance S, LeFebvre MJ, Pigiere F, et al. Ancient DNA of guinea pigs( Cavia spp.) indicates a probable new centre of domestication and pathways of global distribution. Scientific Reports. 2020; 10: 8901. Available from: https:// doi. org / 10.1038 / s41598-020- 65784-6.
2 Walker LL, Soto MA, Spotorno AE. Similarities and differences among the chromosomes of the wild guinea pig Cavia tschudii and the domestic guinea pig Cavia porcellus( Rodentia, Caviidae). Comparative Cytogenetics. 2014; 8( 2): 153 – 167. Available from: https:// doi. org / 10.3897 / CompCytogen. v8i2.7509.
3 Dell’ Amore C. Guinea pigs were widespread as Elizabethan pets. National Geographic. 2012. Available from: https:// www. nationalgeographic. com / animals / article / 120207-guinea-pigseurope-south-america-pets-animals [ Accessed 25 February 2023 ].
4 Animal Medicines Australia. Pets in Australia: a national survey of pets and people. 2019. Available from: https:// animalmedicinesaustralia. org. au / resources / pets-in-australia-a-national-survey-of-pets-andpeople-2 / [ Accessed 17 February 2023 ].
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