Exotics Top Topics - Top 10 Guinea Pig Diseases Part 1

Question 1

what is another name for slobbers?

Answer 1

dental malocclusion

Question 2

what is the classic case presentation of slobbers?

Answer 2

wet chin/perioral dermatitis from drooling, difficulty eating, dropping food, tongue may become entrapped, & blood at the mouth if acute

Question 3

how is slobbers diagnosed in guinea pigs?

Answer 3

physical exam, oral exam with otoscope cone, oral exam under anesthesia, & rads

Question 4

how is slobbers treated in guinea pigs?

Answer 4

dental trim using a dremal under anesthesia (not clippers, can fracture teeth!), check all teeth especially incisors/cheek teeth & burr down points on cheek teeth if present, fluids, & abx

Question 5

slobbers in guinea pigs is similar to what disease in rabbits? how is it different?

Answer 5

malocclusion in rabbits but premolars are more often affected

Question 6

what are the common causes of slobbers in guinea pigs?

Answer 6

almost always due to trauma (heavy head causes the face to hit the ground when first dropped) or can result from mandibular deformity in subclinical vitamin c deficiency

Question 7

T/F: incisors & cheek teeth of guinea pigs grow throughout their life

Answer 7

TRUE

Question 8

what is the name for vitamin c dietary deficiency in guinea pigs?

Answer 8

scurvy

Question 9

what is the classic case presentation of scurvy in guinea pigs?

Answer 9

reluctance to move, pain, cries when touched, anorexia/weight loss, soft stool/diarrhea, mucosal bleeding/petechiae/hematuria/subcutaneous hemorrhages, swollen joints, lameness, & alopecia

Question 10

how is scurvy in guinea pigs diagnosed?

Answer 10

hypercholesterolemia & hypertriglyceridemia & response to vitamin c administration

Question 11

how is scurvy in guinea pigs treated?

Answer 11

parenteral and/or oral vitamin c - avoid multivitamins as they may cause toxicity with other vitamins, fresh guinea pig pellets/hay, capsicums (red or green), tomatoes, spinach, asparagus, & analgesics

Question 12

why are guinea pigs affected by scurvy?

Answer 12

they are unable to synthesize ascorbic acid which is needed for collagen synthesis

Question 13

what food is more likely to result in scurvy in guinea pigs over time? why?

Answer 13

big bags of pellets - although cheaper, they are more likely to lose vitamin c content over time (affected by dampness, warmth, & light)

Question 14

metastatic calcification from scurvy usually affects what guinea pigs?

Answer 14

male guinea pigs

Question 15

what is the prognosis of scurvy in guinea pigs?

Answer 15

usually good

Question 16

what is the classic case presentation of bordetellosis in guinea pigs?

Answer 16

acute or chronic pneumonia, otitis media, conjunctivitis, subcutaneous abscesses, abortions/stillbirths, anorexia, nasal or ocular discharge, & sudden death, or chronic: dyspnea & loss of condition

Question 17

what is the etiology of bordetellosis in guinea pigs? how is it diagnosed?

Answer 17

bordetella bronchiseptica - culture & sensitivity

Question 18

how is bordetellosis treated in guinea pigs?

Answer 18

abx (ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, or doxycycline)

Question 19

how is bordetellosis in guinea pigs prevented?

Answer 19

avoid housing near rabbits (asymptomatic carriers) or dogs

Question 20

what is the classic case presentation of urolithiasis in guinea pigs?

Answer 20

common in older guinea pigs especially females, can be asymptomatic, hematuria, dysuria, crying during urination, pain/anorexia especially if involving ureters, & urinary blockage is possible if in the urethra

Question 21

how is urolithiasis in guinea pigs diagnosed?

Answer 21

radiographs (calculi are radiopaque) & urinalysis

Question 22

how is urolithiasis in guinea pigs treated?

Answer 22

usually surgery if urinary bladder only, deit need to watch calcium intake (alfalfa hay is high in calcium)

Question 23

how is urolithiasis in guinea pigs prevented?

Answer 23

prevent with potassium citrate or citric acids to bind calcium

Question 24

what is the prognosis of urolithiasis in guinea pigs?

Answer 24

good if in urinary bladder & removed surgically

Question 25

T/F: recurrence of urolithiasis is very common in guinea pigs

Answer 25

TRUE

Question 26

what is the usual composition of urolithiasis of guinea pigs?

Answer 26

calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, or calcium oxalate

Question 27

what is the classic case presentation of lice in guinea pigs?

Answer 27

mostly asymptomatic except in severe cases - scruffy coat around neck/ears, dandruff, pruritus, & rare alopecia

Question 28

what is the etiology of lice in guinea pigs? how is it diagnosed?

Answer 28

usually gliricola porcellus but may be gyropus ovalis (both are chewing lice - mallophagans) & fur tapings to visualize the lice

Question 29

how is lice in guinea pigs treated?

Answer 29

selamectin, baths/grooming, & keeping a clean environment

Question 30

T/F: lice in guinea pigs is not zoonotic because all lice are species-specific

Answer 30

TRUE