Cross-sectional survey of husbandry for pet guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in New Zealand.

IF 1.1 4区农林科学 Q3 VETERINARY SCIENCES New Zealand veterinary journal Pub Date : 2023-01-01 Epub Date: 2022-10-12 DOI:10.1080/00480169.2022.2129854

K E Cameron, H E Holder, R L Connor, Rna Gear

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Abstract

Aims: To describe basic husbandry (veterinary care, substrate and bedding, toys, frequency of cleaning) provided to guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) by a sample of owners in New Zealand.

Methods: Respondents were invited to complete a survey disseminated through the social media channels of animal interest and advocacy groups (3 September 2020 to 3 November 2020). Respondents who agreed to participate were asked a range of questions regarding the provision of husbandry to their oldest pet guinea pig. Descriptive statistics are reported here relating to husbandry, length of ownership, provision of substrate, bedding and toys, frequency of cleaning and veterinary care.

Results: A total of 503 responses were received, of which 329 complete responses were analysed. Of these respondents, 208/329 (63.2%) had owned guinea pigs for more than 2 years. Most owners provided a cage with a wooden base as substrate (144/321, 44.9%), bedding (308/329; 93.6%) and toys (169/329; 51.1%). Half (176/329; 53.5%) of respondents reported taking their guinea pig to a veterinarian. Just over half of the owners surveyed cleaned water (165/329; 50.1%) and food (181/329; 55.0%) bowls daily, and a third picked up droppings (109/329; 33.1%) daily.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: While owners provided an array of toys, and a range of bedding and substrate types to their guinea pigs, cages were cleaned out less frequently than recommended, and it was common for guinea pig cages to be cleaned out less frequently than recommended. Future research is required to provide robust and evidence-based links between husbandry and the welfare of pet guinea pigs.

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新西兰宠物豚鼠(Cavia porcellus)饲养的横断面调查。

目的:描述新西兰一群主人为豚鼠(Cavia porcellus)提供的基本饲养(兽医护理、基质和床上用品、玩具、清洁频率)。方法:在2020年9月3日至11月3日期间，邀请受访者通过动物权益和倡导团体的社交媒体渠道完成一项调查。同意参与的受访者被问及一系列关于为他们最年长的宠物豚鼠提供饲养的问题。这里报告的描述性统计数据涉及饲养、所有权期限、提供基质、床上用品和玩具、清洁频率和兽医护理。结果:共收到503份问卷，分析完整问卷329份。在这些受访者中，208/329人(63.2%)饲养豚鼠超过2年。大多数业主提供了一个木制底座作为基板的笼子(144/321,44.9%)，床上用品(308/329;93.6%)和玩具(169/329;51.1%)。一半(176/329;53.5%)的受访者报告将他们的豚鼠带到兽医那里。超过一半的业主调查了纯净水(165/329;50.1%)和食品(181/329;55.0%)每天捡碗，三分之一捡粪便(109/329;每天33.1%)。结论和临床相关性:虽然饲主为豚鼠提供了一系列玩具，以及一系列床上用品和衬底类型，但笼子的清理频率低于建议，而且豚鼠笼子的清理频率低于建议是很常见的。未来的研究需要提供可靠的和基于证据的畜牧业和宠物豚鼠福利之间的联系。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

New Zealand veterinary journal 农林科学-兽医学

CiteScore

3.00

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

12-24 weeks

期刊介绍： The New Zealand Veterinary Journal (NZVJ) is an international journal publishing high quality peer-reviewed articles covering all aspects of veterinary science, including clinical practice, animal welfare and animal health. The NZVJ publishes original research findings, clinical communications (including novel case reports and case series), rapid communications, correspondence and review articles, originating from New Zealand and internationally. Topics should be relevant to, but not limited to, New Zealand veterinary and animal science communities, and include the disciplines of infectious disease, medicine, surgery and the health, management and welfare of production and companion animals, horses and New Zealand wildlife. All submissions are expected to meet the highest ethical and welfare standards, as detailed in the Journal’s instructions for authors.