| Abstrak/Abstract |
Background and Aim: Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) may be kept as pets. It is also a species commonly used in biological and biomedical research. Recently, Guinea pigs (GP) have been included as species in assisted-animal therapy. Consequently, understanding their health status is vital because it determines the quality of their life, the validity of the research data, and when used as therapy animals, to protect patients' health from potential zoonotic diseases. In Indonesia, GP are mainly sourced from animal markets which are supplied from traditional farms, where environmental factors and sanitation are not properly controlled to meet animals' basic requirements. This study was carried out to compare the health status of GP raised in uncontrolled environment (conventional system) and the health status in the same animals after having been moved to a controlled environment (in the animal facility). Materials and Methods: Sample animals were obtained from local animal market, then were brought to animal facility using land transportation. After underwent acclimatization for one week, health examinations were conducted. Parameters observed included general health condition, body weight, body temperature, complete blood count, evaluation of liver function (alanine aminotransferase and bilirubin), renal function (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine), as well as ecto- and endo-parasites. Animals then were maintained in the animal facility followed the standard procedure for laboratory animal. After two months, the animals' health was re-examined assessing the same parameters. Results: GP raised in conventional farm have poor health status according to evaluated parameters. After moving them to the animal facility with better care management, their health status improved. Based on statistical analysis, results indicated significant differences in almost all parameters' values between controlled and uncontrolled environments. We found two ectoparasites (Gyropus ovalis and Gliricola porcelli) and one endoparasite (Eimeria caviae), which their population significantly dropped following GP movement from uncontrolled to controlled environment. Conclusion: Care management, particularly husbandry, environment parameters control, diet, and sanitation, is the key that predispose the health status of GP. |
