Analgesia and Anesthesia Information for Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus)
Pain Recognition
Rodents in pain usually exhibit decreased exploratory behavior, piloerection, hunched posture, rough and ungroomed hair coat and ungroomed appearance. It must be emphasized that these signs are also associated with illness. Consult Veterinary Services for evaluation. Other clinical signs of pain may include:
- excessive scratching and licking
- more aggressive when handled
- vocalization when handled
- weight loss
- porphyrin tearing (rats)
- twitching of the back and flank (following laparotomy)
- mutilation of painful area
Physiologic parameters
| Body temperature | 37.2-39.5° C |
| Heart rate | 230-380/min | Respiratory rate | 42-104/min |
| Tidal volume | 2.3-5.3 ml/kg |
Large cecum can act as reservoir for anesthetics. Depending on drug solubility, the cecum can alter the pharmacologic effect.
Induction of anesthesia using volatile anesthetics (e.g., halothane and isoflurane) should be done with caution due to initial breath holding when animals are first exposed to irritating gas vapors.
Repeated exposure to halothane can cause hepatotoxicity. Methoxyflurane and isoflurane are safer inhalant anesthetics to use.
Self mutilation has been reported in guinea pigs after ketamine administration.
Analgesia and Anesthesia Dosages
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