citation_inspection: 17134

Section 3.31(a)(3) Cleaning and sanitation of primary enclosures: There were fifteen previously used guinea pig enclosures with fresh bedding and hay ready to house new guinea pigs arriving at the facility. There was a buildup of a white to brown roughened scale and debris in the corners, on the sides and around the bottom of the enclosures. The cleaning process utilized does not seem effective in removing this buildup. Housing guinea pigs in dirty and used enclosures exposes the animals to potential disease hazards such as bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases. The licensee must ensure that enclosures will be cleaned and sanitized prior to the introduction of guinea pigs into previously occupied enclosures. This is a repeat non-compliance that was cited earlier this year. An exit briefing was conducted with the facility president; Mary Geib, VMO; and Robert Markmann, ACI. Additional Inspectors Markmann Robert, Animal Care Inspector