Lovingly called cavies by their fans (from their Latin name Cavia porcellus), guinea pigs are known as easy-to-care-for companion animals. Sadly, these small, cute rodents are used for science in NZ, where they rarely make it out alive.
In 2021, 3,431 guinea pigs were used for science in NZ. Most (97%) were killed.
Sad fact: The percentage of guinea pigs who were killed after or during use has never been below 91% since 2010.1
Guinea pigs in NZ have been used for:
- Testing animal vaccines - according to MPI, guinea pigs are used in batch testing of animal vaccines as a regulatory requirement to demonstrate potency.
- The production of biological agents.
- Veterinary Research, including research examining reactions to anaesthesia.
- Drug research.
- Medical research, including trying to model humans in research relating to pre-term labour and birth, dietary influence on foetus development and milk composition, hearing, balance, vision, healing and secondary infections.
- Teaching.
- Basic biological research, including examining how intestines move and hearts function and how eyes and muscles develop.
Places that use guinea pigs for science in NZ include private companies, universities, and polytechnics.
Most guinea pigs used for science in NZ are sourced from breeding units. They are also obtained from commercial and public sources.
Discover real-life examples of how guinea pigs have been used in NZ below!
Developing a model for thermal stress in humans
Guinea pig pups were lightly anaesthetised, connected to devices measuring heart activity and breathing, and wrapped in a temperature-controlling blanket. Their body temperature was either forcefully raised or dropped.
Testing a seizure medicine for preterm babies
Pregnant guinea pigs were induced to give birth early, to test medication on their pups.
Testing how too much fructose is bad during pregnancy
Female guinea pigs were mated; some were fed additional sugary water until birth. The pups were used for several glucose tolerance tests and X-rays. All pups were killed in the end.
Testing a refined way of anaesthesia in guinea pigs
Guinea pigs were made to inhale anaesthetic gases. Different probes were inserted and attached to the animals to measure responses.
Testing the effects of sedatives
Young guinea pigs were treated with different sedatives. Their heart rate and blood pressure were measured before and during each treatment.
Studying the effects of meth
Guinea pigs were injected with sedatives, caffeine, and later meth. Under anaesthesia, their livers were cut out before they were killed.
Studying the effect of fructose during pregnancy
Guinea pigs were fed either normally or supplemented with fruit sugar before and during pregnancy until birth. Mothers and pups were tested for glucose tolerance.
Studying trauma and treatment of cochlear implants
After destroying their hearing with noise, guinea pigs were fitted with cochlear implants. Treatment success was tested before they were killed.
Studying preterm birth effects on the brain
Pregnant guinea pigs were grouped to give birth normally or be induced early. The pups were put through behavioural tests and then killed for dissection.
Testing the measurement of pupil reflexes in Alzheimer’s research
Guinea pigs were repeatedly flashed in the eyes with a phone light to record the pupil responses.
Testing a device to assess hearing
Young guinea pigs were anaesthetised, electrodes placed under their skin, and their brain's response to sound was measured. All guinea pigs had one ear damaged, some both ears, before all were killed.
Investigating mechanisms slowing down the heart rate
Young guinea pigs were injected with blood thinner before being anaesthetised and dissected.
Teaching animal researchers
A range of animals is used to teach researchers handling and experimental methods.
Studying the effects of medication on memory
Guinea pigs were force-fed different drugs and later tested in a water maze before some were killed. Another group was exposed to carbon dioxide and decapitated.
Studying changes in the inner ear due to inflammation
Guinea pigs were injected into the ear with bacteria. Medical scans were done after injecting chemicals, and most were killed for dissection.
Studying how anaesthetics affect intestine movement
Guinea pigs and rats were anaesthetised, then dissected, and then killed, in that order.
