Journal of Animal Health and Behavioural Science

Development of animal behavioural observational skills dates back to Palaeolithic era when the prehistoric hunter human ancestors successfully gamed their prey by understanding how animals behave, in other words, survival needs, instigated the need to master the animal behaviour to find a prey successfully. Greek philosophers, while attempting to describe the order of the world, considered the animal origin and the attribute that makes them unique, differential animal behaviour was the obvious one. The importance of animal behaviour studies lies in better animal welfare and improving animal behavioural experiences preventing animal suffering. The 1965 report on intensive farming practices by Brambell committee that exposed farming practices in Europe paved the way to realise the importance of animal behaviour in animal welfare. Reduction, Refinement and Replacement of animal usage mentioned in Russell and Burch’s seminal book principles of humane experimental technique (1959) forms the core of regulatory guidelines in modern laboratory by animal experimentations. Stringent enforcement of legislation on use and care of experimental animals imposed by regulatory authorities have led to better safety and welfare of experimental animals in recent years.

The present study is a preliminary investigation of the macroscopic structure of the eye and its adnexa of a female two-year-old bowmouth guitarfish, Rhina ancylostoma Bloch & Schneider 1801, from which very limited information is available. We documented the characteristics of the cornea, the eyeball, the optic pedicle and the extraocular muscles. We also compared the sizes of the horizontal and vertical extraocular muscles and speculated that they were more similar to elasmobranch species that reside near the seafloor. The cornea of the guitarfish also resembled that of the elasmobranch in the ray family.

An eight year old domestic female cat presented with history of inappetance and epistaxis, and was treated since 6 months with hemostatics suspecting trauma, with relapsing episode. X ray revealed shortened, incognito nasal bone on left lateral view. Tentatively suspecting nasal osteosarcoma, the animal was orally given. Lomustine 2.5 mg once in 3 days and Prednisolone 5 mg daily for 21 days. Remarkable and complete recovery observed on 9th and 21st day respectively. No adverse effect noticed.

Given the increasing popularity of the guinea pig as a pet it is, perhaps, surprising that relatively little is published as to their husbandry and dietary requirements. Indeed, a review of the literature currently available to owners, scientists and clinicians alike has found it to be scarce, highly variable and, at times, overtly contradictory. This review and data collection collates the husbandry and dietary information available and discusses the variable information available and the differing practices published in the literature in relation to the guinea pig. A questionnaire was also used to gather owner-reported data on feeding regimens from both the UK and Poland in order to better understand the range of feeding habits that owners employ. Despite the lack of information available in comparison with that available for other companion and livestock animals advances in knowledge are being made. With guinea pig numbers increasing in many countries and owners seeking husbandry and veterinary advice and interventions it is imperative that we understand guinea pig health and welfare issues. The data and review gives novel insights into how guinea pig husbandry affects health and welfare.