one of the commercially available 
disinfectants that contain cresol, 
obtainable at most drugstores. 
DISEASE PREVENTION 
You can do several things to 
guard against outbreaks of disease. 
e Sanitize pens and food recep- 
tacles at least once every 2 weeks. 
Wash them with hot, soapy water at 
180° F.; then apply a safe, effective 
disinfectant. 
e Feed your guinea pigs a bal- 
anced diet. Guard against food con- 
tamination by rats or mice. 
e Provide fresh drinking water 
in clean containers daily. 
e Never transfer water or feed 
containers from one pen to another. 
e Protect your guinea pigs from 
cold, drafts, and excessive moisture. 
At temperatures lower than 60° F., 
they may get colds or other respira- 
tory diseases, such as pneumonia, 
and the young may be dead at birth 
or may die soon thereafter. 
If disease breaks out in your 
guinea pig colony— 
e Thoroughly sanitize the pens 
in which the diseased animals have 
been kept. 
e Wait several weeks before ob- 
taining new stock. 
e Tsolate new animals to prevent 
exposure to potential carriers and 
to reduce the possibility of introduc- 
ing disease into a clean colony. 
CONTROLLING LICE 
Guinea pigs, frequently infested 
with lice, may be deloused by dip- 
ping or dusting with powder con- 
taining the insecticide rotenone. 
Keep a careful record of the insec- 
ticide’s strength and the date of 
treatment. Many buyers need this 
information for planning experi- 
ments; without it, the application 
of insecticide could jeopardize the 
success of experiments. 
Dipping is the most effective 
method of treating guinea pigs for 
lice. To prepare the dip, take soapy 
water and mix 10 tablespoons (2 
ounces) of 3- to 5-percent rotenone 
with each gallon of the water. 
A single dipping is usually suffi- 
cient; at the same time be sure to 
clean the pens and dust them with 
rotenone as well. Between dippings, 
dust the guinea pigs with 3- to 5- 
percent rotenone to control lice. 
PRECAUTION 
Pesticides used improperly can 
be injurious to man, animals, and 
plants. Follow the directions and 
heed all precautions on the label. 
Prepared by 
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY RESEARCH DIVISION 
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE 
FOLLOW THE LABEL 
U.S. DEPARTMENT 
Washington, D.C. 
OF AGRICULTUR E 
Revised March 1970 
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office 
Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 10 cents 
