citation_inspection: 4249

The three oval metal stock water troughs housing a total of 97 guinea pigs with their litters had excessively wet and dirty bedding below a layer of clean bedding. The owner informed the APHIS officials that the personnel clean the enclosures by removing the old bedding in half of the enclosure, put in new bedding, and then remove the old bedding in the other half of the enclosure and put in new bedding. This is done while the guinea pigs were in the enclosures. These enclosures are not being adequately cleaned or sanitized at least once every 2 weeks in the manner provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this section. All three of these enclosures have guinea pigs with hair loss that were cited under veterinary care. The accumulation of wet dirty bedding and lack of sanitization of the enclosures may create an environment for the accumulation of parasites and/or growth of bacteria and fungi. Additionally, the impact to the animals due to the presence of wet bedding is further exacerbated by the extremely cold conditions. Guinea pig enclosures must be cleaned and sanitized often enough to prevent the accumulation of excreta or debris and at least once every 2 weeks in the manner provided in paragraph (a)(4) of this section. Correct by 17 January 2015.