Exotics Top Topics - Top 10 Guinea Pig Diseases Part 2

Question 1

what are the 2 types of ascariasis in guinea pigs?

Answer 1

fur mite & burrowing mite

Question 2

what is the classic case presentation of a guinea pig with fur mites?

Answer 2

asymptomatic, scruffy coat, & may see alopecia/pruritus

Question 3

what is the classic case presentation of a guinea pig with burrowing mites?

Answer 3

very pruritic & hypersensitive to touch - handling may trigger seizures

excoriations, hyperkeratosis, & alopecia

Question 4

what is the etiology of fur mites in guinea pigs? how are they diagnosed?

Answer 4

cheirodiscoides caviae - fur taping

Question 5

what is the etiology of burrowing mites in guinea pigs? how are they diagnosed?

Answer 5

trixacarus caviae

skin scraping - difficult to find

Question 6

how are both types of fur motes treated in guinea pigs?

Answer 6

selamectin, bathes, grooming, & treat the environment

Question 7

what is another name for burrowing mites in guinea pigs? is it zoonotic?

Answer 7

sellnick mite

zoonotic but human infections are rare

Question 8

T/F: fur mites of guinea pigs can be difficult to eradicate

Answer 8

true

Question 9

what is lumps in guinea pigs?

Answer 9

cervical lymphadenitis

Question 10

what is the classic case of lumps in guinea pigs? what are some sequelae?

Answer 10

unilateral cervical swellings that can rupture with caseous pus, dysphagia, & anorexia

can spread & cause metritis/pneumonia/etc

Question 11

what is the etiology of lumps in guinea pigs?

Answer 11

usually streptococcus equi sub species zooepidemicus - salmonella also possible

Question 12

how is lumps diagnosed?

Answer 12

FNA & culture/sensitivity

Question 13

what antibiotics are safe to use in guinea pigs that you can use to treat lumps? what other things are used for treatment?

Answer 13

ETC - enrofloxacin, trimethoprim sulfa, & chloramphenicol safe to use!!!

lymphadenectomy

Question 14

what is the prognosis of lumps? is it zoonotic?

Answer 14

guarded - YES ZOONOTIC

Question 15

how does a guinea pig get lumps?

Answer 15

bacteria enter through a breach in oral mucosa (malocclusion) - can occur as epidemics in labs or pet shops

Question 16

what is the classic case presentation of ovarian cysts in guinea pigs?

Answer 16

middle age/older sow, bilateral/symmetrical, non-pruritic alopecia usually over the flanks, decreased reproduction, endometritis/mucometra, +/- abdominal distension, anorexia, & pain

Question 17

how are ovarian cysts in guinea pigs diagnosed?

Answer 17

palpable abdominal mass, rads, & u/s

Question 18

how are ovarian cysts in guinea pigs treated?

Answer 18

OHE

Question 19

what is the prognosis for a guinea pig with ovarian cysts? are they often clinical with this disease?

Answer 19

good prognosis with OHE

often subclinical

Question 20

T/F: in guinea pigs with ovarian cysts, we frequently see multiple cysts up to 4cm in size

Answer 20

true

Question 21

what is the classic case presentation of leukemia/lymphosarcoma in guinea pigs?

Answer 21

anorexia, lethargy, unkempt coat, pale mucus membranes, lymphadenomegaly, splenomegaly, & hepatomegaly

Question 22

what is the etiology of leukemia/lymphosarcoma in guinea pigs? how is it diagnosed?

Answer 22

type C retrovirus

on CBC will see leukocytosis & leukemia cells

FNA cytology

Question 23

how is leukemia/lymphoma in guinea pigs treated?

Answer 23

complete surgical excision, but not always possible or practical

Question 24

what is the most common neoplasia in guinea pigs? what is the prognosis of it?

Answer 24

leukemia/lymphoma - very poor prognosis, 2-5 week survival

Question 25

what is the classic case presentation of pregnancy toxemia in guinea pigs?

Answer 25

gravid sow, variable signs including depression to acute death

Question 26

what are the 2 forms of pregnancy toxemia in guinea pigs?

Answer 26

ketosis - negative energy balance (ketone breath, lethargy, dyspnea, paralysis, & death)

ischemia - from aortic compression by large & bulky fetus/uterus

Question 27

how is pregnancy toxemia of guinea pigs diagnosed?

Answer 27

physical exam, large gravid uterus seen on rads, & on bloodwork, hypoglycemia & ketosis

Question 28

how is pregnancy toxemia treated in guinea pigs?

Answer 28

aggressive fluid therapy, dextrose, OHE or c-section

Question 29

how is pregnancy toxemia of guinea pigs prevented?

Answer 29

avoid stress, avoid obesity, & provide adequate nutrition/exercise

Question 30

what is the prognosis for pregnancy toxemia in guinea pigs?

Answer 30

usually poor by the time of presentation

Question 31

what is the classic case presentation of dystocia/still births in guinea pigs?

Answer 31

primiparous female over 6 months of age, obese sow, continuous straining for more than 20 minutes/intermittent straining over 2 hours, inadequate separation of symphysis pubis, & bloody/brown vulvar discharge

Question 32

how is dystocia/still births in guinea pigs diagnosed?

Answer 32

physical exam & digital palpation of symphysis pubis reveals little to no separation

Question 33

what must be true for oxytocin to be given to a guinea pig with dystocia?

Answer 33

ONLY if the separation of the symphysis pubis is at least the width of the index finger (~0.75 inches or 2 cm)

Question 34

how is dystocia in guinea pigs treated?

Answer 34

oxytocin if requirements are met or emergency c-section

Question 35

how is dystocia in guinea pigs prevented?

Answer 35

sows intended for breeding should be bred before 6 months to prevent fusion of symphysis pubis

Question 36

what can cause dystocia/still births in guinea pigs?

Answer 36

can be from large/malformed fetuses, large litters, or abnormal fetal presentation

Question 37

T/F: boars housed with sows that have a fused symphysis pubis should have an orchidectomy

Answer 37

true