AWA - Part 3, Standards, GP & Hamsters

Question 1

What are the AWA specifications for food storage?

Answer 1

Food supplies shall be stored in containers with tightly fitting lids or covers or in the original containers as received from the commercial sources of supply

Question 2

True or false. Hamster and guinea pigs can be housed outside.

Answer 2

False. Hamsters shall not be housed in outdoor facilities (guinea pigs may be if located in an appropriate climate and prior approval is obtained from the Deputy Administrator

Question 3

What is the correct ambient temperature for guinea pigs and hamsters housed indoors?

Answer 3

60°- 85°F

Question 4

11. True or false: Nursing female hamsters, together with her litter, shall be housed in a primary enclosure that contains no other hamsters.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

12. Innovative primary enclosures that do not meet the space requirements are acceptable if approved by whom?

Answer 5

12. For research facilities: IACUC and for dealers and exhibitors by the Administrator

Question 6

13. Unless otherwise required in the provision of veterinary care, how many times per day and with what type of feed should guinea pigs and hamsters be fed?
    a. once a day with fruits and vegetables
    b. once a day with food equivalent in quality and content to commercially available pelleted rations commonly available from feed suppliers
    c. once a day with appropriate pelleted rations that may be supplemented with fruits and vegetables
    d. twice a day with an appropriate pelleted ration

Answer 6

C

Question 7

14. At what frequency should food and water receptacles and the primary enclosure be sanitized?
    a. at least once per week
    b. at least every 2 weeks
    c. at least once a month

Answer 7

b. at least every 2 weeks

Question 8

15. True or false. Food may not be placed on the floor of the primary enclosure.

Answer 8

15. False. Hamsters may be fed pelleted feed on the floor of the primary enclosure and fruits or vegetable supplements may be placed upon the bedding.

Question 9

16. The AWA lists four conditions that might cause the primary enclosure to become soiled or wet – name them.

Answer 9

16. Leakage of the water system, discharges from dead or dying animals, spoiled perishable foods, or moisture condensation

Question 10

17. What are the three methods for sanitizing a primary enclosure?

Answer 10

17. Washing in 180°F water with soap or detergent in a mechanical cage washer, washing all soiled surfaces with a detergent solution followed by an appropriate disinfectant, or by cleaning all soiled surfaces with live steam.

Question 11

18. The AWA dictates that an effective pest control program should be in place to cover what pests?

Answer 11

18. Insects, ectoparasites, avian and mammalian pests

Question 12

19. True or false. Except under conditions of harem breeding, preweanling hamsters should not be housed in the same primary enclosure with adults other than their parents.

Answer 12

19. False, this applies to guinea pigs and not hamsters

Question 13

20. True of false. Guinea pigs and hamsters cannot be housed in the same primary enclosure with each other or with any other species of animals.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

21. What is the time that carriers and intermediate handlers can accept live guinea pigs or hamsters prior to the scheduled departure?
    a. Not more than 2 hours prior
    b. Not more than 4 hours prior
    c. Not more than 6 hours prior
    d. Not more than 8 hours prior

Answer 14

21. B. unless there is a mutual agreement and specific scheduling to extend the time to not more than 6 hours prior to the departure

Question 15

22. What is required on the certificate of compliance for all guinea pig or hamster shipments?

Answer 15

22. Name and address of consignor, number of guinea pigs or hamsters in the primary enclosure, a certifying statement that the primary enclosures for shipment comply with the USDA standards, and a signature of the consignor.

Question 16

23. True or false. Carriers or intermediate handlers whose facilities fail to meet the minimum temperature requirement allowed by the standards, may accept guinea pigs or hamsters if the consignor furnishes a certificate executed not more than 10 days prior to delivery by an accredited veterinarian that the animal is acclimated to lower air temperatures.

Answer 16

23. False, this only applies to hamsters.

Question 17

24. How frequently must the carrier or intermediate handler attempt to notify the consignee after the arrival of the guinea pig or hamster at the animal holding area? a. at least once every 4 hours b. at least once every 6 hours c. at least once every 8 hours d. at least once every 12 hours

Answer 17

B

Question 18

25. In order to prevent escape of the animals, the inner surfaces of corrugated fiberboard, cardboard, or plastic containers need to be covered or laminated with what type of material?

Answer 18

25. wire mesh or screen

Question 19

26. What percent of total surface area of a primary shipping container must the ventilation openings compose?

Answer 19

26. 32% the ventilation openings must be located on 2 opposite walls and must cover at least 16% of the total surface area of each wall or be located on 4 walls and be at least 8% of each wall.

Question 20

27. What is the minimum air circulation space between the primary enclosure and any adjacent cargo or walls?
    a. 1 cm
    b. 1.9 cm
    c. 2 cm
    d. 2.9 cm

Answer 20

B. 1.9 cm or 0.75 inches

Question 21

28. How many live guinea pigs can be transported within the same primary enclosure? a. 10 b. 15 c. 25 d. 50

Answer 21

B

Question 22

29. How many live hamsters can be transported within the same primary enclosure? a. 10 b. 15 c. 25 d. 50

Answer 22

D

Question 23

30. What are the minimum height and floor space requirements for the primary shipping container for guinea pigs?

Answer 23

30. For guinea pigs weighing less than 350 gm: 6 inches high and 30 square inches of floor space. For guinea pigs weighing 350-500 grams: 6 inches high and 45 square inches of floor space. For guinea pigs weighing 500 to 600 gm: 7 inches high and 45 square inches of floor space. For guinea pigs weighing more than 600 gm: 7 inches high and 55 square inches of floor space.

Question 24

31. What are the minimum height and floor space requirements for the primary shipping container for nondwarf hamsters?

Answer 24

31. For hamsters from weaning to 5 weeks old: 6 inches high and 7 sq inches of floor space. For hamsters from 5 weeks to 10 weeks old: 6 inches high and 11 sq inches of floor space. For hamsters 10 weeks old or older: 6 inches high and 15 sq inches of floor space.

Question 25

33. List several key components to consider when designing the animal cargo space of the primary conveyance.

Answer 25

33. Must protect the health and ensure of the safety and comfort of the animals, must prevent the ingress of engine exhaust fumes and gases during transportation, must have a supply of air sufficient for normal breathing of each animal, must be positioned so that the animals can be removed rapidly during an emergency, shall be able to be kept clean, not expose the animals to injurious materials (dry ice or devices), and must be mechanically sound to minimize drafts, odors, and moisture and maintain 45°F to 75°F (unless transporting acclimated hamsters).

Question 26

34. What is the time frame, that if exceeded, requires that the hamsters of guinea pigs be given food and water? a. 2 hours b. 4 hours c. 6 hours d. 8 hours

Answer 26

C

Question 27

35. The live guinea pigs and hamsters must be observed as frequently as circumstances dictate, but not less than once every … ? a. 2 hours b. 4 hours c. 6 hours d. 8 hours

Answer 27

B

Question 28

36. If the animals are transported by air and the flight exceeds the time during which animals are to be observed, at what points should the animals be observed?

Answer 28

36. During loading and unloading and other times that the animal cargo area is accessible

Question 29

37. During shipping, who is required to provide any needed veterinary care?

Answer 29

the carrier

Question 30

At below what temperature should transporting devices be covered to provide protection for guinea pigs and hamsters at the terminal facility? a. 45 °F b. 50 °F c. 60 °F d. 65 °F

Answer 30

b. 50 °F

Question 31

38. During transport, what is the ambient air temperature range that cannot be exceeded for the animal holding area (measured at less than 3 feet from the external wall of the shipping primary enclosure)? a. 60 to 85 °F b. 60 to 75 °F c. 45 to 85 °F d. 45 to 75 °F

Answer 31

C

Question 32

What are acceptable floor type(s) for the primary enclosure?

Answer 32

Mesh or wire floor (as long as it protects the animals’ feet and legs from injury) OR solid floor with clean bedding.