Abstract

The Syrian guinea pig Mesocricetus auratus runs a lot on the exercise wheel. This running can cause leg injuries. Three treatments for these wounds, topical vitamin E, wheel locking, and a combination of the two, were compared for both sexes. At the end of the pretreatment period, none of the animals without the wheel developed foot ulcers, while at least 75% of the females and 100% of the males had the wheel sores. Women have fewer and smaller wounds than men during this period. At the end of the treatment period, no effect of vitamin E was seen, but significant scarring occurred after vane occlusion in both men and women. Wheel locks are an easy way to prevent or treat foot injuries, but it poses animal welfare problems because wheels are an important addition to a hamster's cage.