• Zoonotic potential
• Therapy
• Rule out chart for Guinea pigs based on clinical signs
• Common diseases and health problems of guinea pigs

            Zoonotic potential

                Dermatophytosis         Trichophyton mentagrophytes
                Mange mites Trixacarus caviae - burrowing mite and sarcoptic mite
                Salmonella rare cavy pathogen
                Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
                Allergic responses to guinea pig allergens - hair , skin , rhinitis, rashes, asthma
                Fleas - dogs and cats

            Therapy

            Emphasis in health care is on prevention of problems.
            Sick guinea pigs do not tolerate clinical procedures very well and have been known to go into cardiac and respiratory arrest secondary to the stress of a diagnostic workup that would be routine in species like ferrets and cats. Guinea pigs , like monkeys , ferrets and humans are considered to be corticosteroid-resistant species because steroid administration is not associated with marked changes in thymic physiology or peripheral lymphocyte counts.
            In general , with any diseases or stress, supplement with vitamin C Guinea pigs are delicate creatures when ill ; few antibiotics are safe to use in cavies.
            Sick guinea pigs stress easily and do not tolerate much handling.
            Do not use penicillin and erythromycin in guinea pigs.
            Avoid antibiotics specifically affecting gram-positive bacteria ( penicillin ).
            The use of gram positive spectrum oral antibiotics can seriously alter the sensitive balance of bacterial flora in the cecum These antibiotics decrease the populations of dominant bacterial allowing species such as Clostridia spp. and Escherichia coli , which are normally present in small number , to colonize the cecum rapidly.
            The following antibiotics have been associated with enterotoxemia : ( PLACE )
1.  Ampicillin
2. Bacitracin
3. Clindamycin
4. Erythromycin
5. Gentamicin
6. Lincomycin
7. Penicillin
8. Streptomycin
9. occasionally Tetracycline and Vancomycin

     Antimicrobial Treatment in Guinea Pigs

            Skin and subcutis
 

Cervical lymphaadenitis	Chloramphenicol Tetracycline
Wet chin (slobber)	Chloramphenicol
Ulcerative pododermatitis	Chloramphenicol

             Respiratory
 

Upper respiratory tract disease	Tetracycline
pneumonia	Chloramphenicol

              Gastrointestinal
 

Enteritis

Tetracycline Chloramphenicol Gentamicin

              Urogenital
 

Endometritis

Tetracycline Chloramphenicol Gentamicin

             Eye
 

Conjunctivitis

Tetracycline

 

            ANESTHESIA IN GUINEA PIGS

            Guinea pigs response to injectable anesthetic agent is variable and difficult to predict.
            Post operative complications
1. - Respiratory infection
2. - Digestive disturbance
3. - Generalized depression and inappetite

Rule out chart for Guinea pigs based on clinical signs

 

Clinical signs	Differential diagnosis
Alopecia	Hormonal Intensively bred females (cystic ovaries) Barbering Stress Overcrowding Aggression Self-inflicted Wire abrasion Mechanical or      -Bilaterally symmetric Ovarian cyst Associated with pregnancy and lactation      -Localized , nonsymetric Sarcoptic mange Barbering Dermatophytosis Lice Aqbrasion Bacterial dermatitis
Anemia	Chronic disease Scurvy Neoplasia esp. cavian leukemia
Anogenital swelling	Fecal impaction
Anorexia	Malocclusion Subclinical scorbutus Tooth root abscess Gastrointestinal problems Any infectious or metabolic disease Scurvy Dysbiosis associated with antibiotic therapy Cardiomyopathy Linked to vitamin E/selenium deficiency High fat , high calcium diet Pyometra Pregnancy toxemia Toxicosis ( Lead poisoning )
Condition , poor	Scorbutus (arthritia , anorexia , haemorrhage malocclusion , poor hair coat , cervical lymphadenitis , nasl discharge , weight loss , reluctant to move , pododermatitis) May have concurrent secondary bacterial infection
Conjuntivitis	Chlamydia neonatal conjunctivitis Streptococcus pneumoniae Foreign body or trauma Ectoparasites
Dermatitis	Bite wound Secondary infection with Strep., Stap. Dermatophytosis Abrasion Irritation Self-inflicted chewing Pododermatitis Underlying vitamin C deficiency Injury from wire caging
Diarrhea	Improper diet Impaction Flora upset Cecal stasis Clostridium difficile overgrowth Enterotoxemia E. coli Salmonella Antibiotic toxicity Coccidia Parasitic causes
Ectoparasitism	Fur mite ( Chirodiscoides caviae ) rarely clinical sign Sarcoptes mite Pediculosis
Enteropathy (diarrhea)	Cecal stasis/impaction Clostridial overgrowth Antibiotic toxicity Salmonellosis Colibacillosis Coccidia Cryptosporidium spp.
Incoordination/seizure/convulsion	Pregnancy Toxemia/ketosis Traumatic injury Agonal phenomenon Lead poisoning
Infertilitry	Nutritional deficiency Environmental stress Bedding adhered to genitalia Immaturity or senescene Estrogen in feed Seasonal phenomenon
Leukemia/Lymphosarcoma	Lymphadenopathy (splenomegaly , hepatomegaly, leucocytosis , anemia , tumors , thrombocytopenia , ) etiology type C leukovirus
Litter desertion or cannibalism	Mastitis Maternal inexperience Environmental disturbance
Mammary gland tumor	Fibroadenomas Adenocarcinomas
Masses (cutaneous or subcutaneous , neoplasia)	Trichofolliculoma  (basal cell epitheliomas) Fibrosarcomas Sebaceous adenomas Lipomas Abscess , cervical lymphadenitis
Mastitis	Bacterial
Nasal discharge and/or dyspnea	Pneumonia (scorbutus may contribute)
Osteoarthritis	Scorbutus Luxations Fracture Vitamin E/selenium deficiency
Pododermatitis	Erythematous Swollen Painful proliferative Callous infected with Staph., Strep.
Prenatal mortality	Nutritional deficiency Bacterial ( Bordetella , Salmonella , Streptococcus ) Pregnancy toxemia Environmental stress
Ptyalism	Malocclusion Scorbutus Tooth root abscesses Hereditary
Reluctant to move paralysis  paresis	Scorbutus  Luxation or fracture Chronic disease Vitamin E (+/- selenium) deficiency Osteoarthritis
Respiratory disease or distress	Bacterial pneumonia  Pulmonary neoplasm
Swelling cutaneous or subcutaneous	Abscesses  Cervical lymphadenitis Septicemic form Abrasions Mucocutaneous oral abrasions Coarse food Arthritis Scorbutus with secondary abscesses Staphylococcus aureus - infected callouses
Tachypnea	See respiratory disease / distress Pregnancy toxemia
Torticollis	Otitis interna (bacterial respiratory pathogen) Bacterial encephalitis
Trauma	Fractures Luxations Wounds " Dropped pig syndrome "
Weight loss / wasting	Malocclusion Nutritional deficiency Anorexia Metastatic calcification Chronic disease Ectoparasitism

 

               Common diseases and health problems of guinea pigs

              1. Suppurative cervical lymphadenitis

            Streptococcus zooepidemicus and S. moniliformis infection cause abscess of lymph node, visceral organs and abortions. ( may cause septicemia )
            Transmission is through abrasion of the oral mucosa.
            The infection may spread causing otitis , arthriitis or upper respiratory tyract infection.
            Torticollis may be seen if the inner ear is involved.
            Respiratory involvement result in oculonasal discharges, cyanosis and dyspnea. Septicemia, hematuria, and hemoglobinuria may be seen.
            Treat with enrofloxacin and chloramphenicol palmitate

            2. Dermatology

            Fleas occur as in mice
            Lice usually cause no clinical signs except occasional alopecia , seborrhoea and trauma secondary to pruritus
            Treat with ivermectin , 5 % maiathion dust or pyrethrin shampoo
            The mites Trixacavus caviae cause severe pruritus and is zoonotic. It mainly affects the dorsal midline and is difficult to find on skin scrapings.
            Treat with ivermectin
            Trichophyton mentagrophyte infection about 6-13 % Clinical signs are alopecia and seborrhea sicca usually starting on the face and spreading along the dorsum.
            Treat with griseofulvin combined with topical povidone iodine or chlohexidine shampoo.
            Other causes of alopecia are
1. fur-barbering
2. alopecia of the flanks in late gestation females
3. and generalized alopecia of some young at weaning
            Subclinical hypovitaminosis C causes a poor haircoat and seborrhea sicca as well as anorexia and large malodorous stools

            3. Streptococcus species pneumonia

            Clinical signs include sneezing, coughing, dyspnea, oculonasal discharge, depression, anorexia, weight loss, and death.
            Torticollis and abortions may occur.
            Treatment is often unsuccessful.
Chloramphenicol or trimethoprimsulfa combination may be tried.

            4. Scurvy ( hypovitaminosis C )

            Clinical signs may become apparent within 2 weeks of vitamin C deprivation.
            Clinical signs weakness lethargy anorexia vocalization enlarged limb joint and costochondral junction poor hair coat oculonasal discharge diarrhea weight loss death may occur in 3 - 4 weeks due to stravation or secondary infection.
            Hypervitaminosis C is not a recognized problem as any ascorbic acid is excess to requirement is excreted through the kidneys.
            At post mortem examination , multiple haemorrhages can be seen in the muscles and around the joints.

            5. Pregnancy toxemia

            Pregnancy toxemia occurs during the last 1 - 2 weeks of pregnancy or during the first four days post partum.
            Pregnancy toxemia often cause acute death within 24 hours.
            It is typically seen in stressed, heavily( or obese ) pregnant sows that are 56 or more days into gestation and carrying 2 or more fetuses or a single large baby and nearing parturition. (hence overfeeding of non-pregnant animals should be avoided)
            The clinical signs may vary from anorexia with incoordination , to true convulsions. Treatment is by caesarian section accompanied by supportive treatment with fluids and corticosteroids.

            6. Dystocias

            Commonly occurs in females bred after the age of 6 - 9 month. After this age , the symphysis fuses and is unable to open the 2 to 3 cm. required to allow passage of a fetus.
            Suspect dystocia in gravid sows showing depression or a bloody or discoloured vaginal discharge.

            7. Pododermatitis and sore hock

            are very common in guinea pigs. A granuloma is present on the ventral surface of one or more of the patient’s feet. The condition is also called bumblefoot and is comparable to that in poultry.
            Prediposing factors are untrimmed toe nails , poor sanitation and wire flooring.S. aureus is the most commonly cultured pathogen.
            Clinical signs range from small ulcers on the soles of the feet to abscesses and grangrene. Radiography is essential in determining bony involvement. Untreated cases develope into osteomyelitis, which is difficult to cure.
            Treat mild cases by improving sanitation and grooming. Places affected individuals in solid-floored cages with paper bedding. Use sulfa drugs until culture result available.

            8. Neurological problems

            Most common are otitis and fractureed spines due to falls or incorrect handling. Other include pododermatitis , enterotoxemia and encephalopathies.
            Vitamin C deficiency may result in neurological signs associated with the inability to move or ataxia due to the swelling of the joints caused by this disease.
            Back strain
            Due to the size and weight of pet guinea pigs , which are often obese , back strain due to incorrect handling may be seen. Harkness and Wagner ( 1977 ) have reported this problem in laboratory guinea pigs , due to oedema and haemorrhage around the spinal cord. Clinical sign range from pain on movement to temporary paralysis.
            Treatment is with strict rest , use of corticosteroids and diuretics. Training of owners in how to handle these creatures may prevent further distress.

            9. Loss of appetite

            Being small animals , guinea pig usually eat pretty much constantly and metabolize food very fast , so if an illness or other condition is preventing them from eating they could die overnight.
            A guinea pigs have a relative low tolerance for pain. Inappropriate handling of an ill guinea pig , particularly if it is in pain , can be diastrous.If the patience is depressed and uncomfortably , perform the examination as quickly and gently as possible and have oxygen readily available. Do not placed an ill guinea pig in dorsal recumbency particularly if respiratory or cardiac disease is suspected. If necessary use inhalant anesthesia to reduce the stress of examination or diagnostic sampling. Use pain relieving medications as needed.

            10. Diarrhea

            - Antibiotic - associated enterotoxemia
                    To correct hypothermia
                    To restore rehydration
                    Administration of commercial product containing Lactobacillus species may help reastablish normal intestinal microflora.
                    Transfaunation with a rodent fecal slurry
                    Antibiotic Chloramphenicol Trimethoprim-sulfa Enrofloxacin
            - Bacterial enteritis
            - Parasitic diarrhea
            - Viral diarrhea
            - Hypovitaminosis C is associated with soft , malodorous feces.
            Degeneration of the epithelium of the intestinal tract adversely affects digestion and absorption and allow secondary bacterial infections.

            11. Water deprivation

            Guinea pigs occasionally experience water deprivation even though an apparently adequate supply of water is present. Such deprivation occurs when
1. (1) the pet is unfamiliar with or does not know how to manipulate the water supplying device
2. (2) water devices are position too high or otherwise out of reach
3. (3) water is undrinkable because of impurities or odors in the device or in the water itself (4) water devices or sipper tubes become unworkable because of aie locks or lodge foreign material
4. (5) territorialism on the part of dominant animals prevents less aggressive individuals from drinking.

            12. Alopecia

            Diffuse alopecia over the flank and back develops in all sows in late pregnancy. Thinning of hair occurs near the time of weaning during the transition from baby fur to adult hair. Aklthough the exact cause is unknown. , alopecia is also apparently associated with stress conditions.
                Alopecia with a distinctive pattern or patch distribution can result from haie chewing , or so called barbering. Animals can chew their own hair that of a cage mate. The location of hair loss can provide a clue as to whether the loss is self inflicted or has returned from barbering by a cage mate.
            There is no specific treatment for alopecia other than the removal of an offending animal if hair loss is resulted from barbering.

REFERENCES
            HARKNESS, J.E. and WAGNER, J.E. ( 1977 ). The Biology and Medicine of Rabbits and Rodents , 2nd edn. Lea and Febiger , Philadelphia.
            HILLYER, E.V. and QUESENBERRY, K.E. ( 1997 ). Ferrets , Rabbits and Rodents Clinical Medicine and Surgery , W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia.
            SIMON J. WHEELER ( 1992 ). Manual of Small Animal Neurology, BSAVA Publications , Cheltenham.
            SIROIS , M ( 1989 ). The Pet Guinea Pig , In Exotic Animals : A Veterinary Handbook , Veterinary learning systems Publishing , New Jersey.
            PLUNKETT, S.J. ( 1993 ). Emergency Procedure for the Small Animal Veterinarian ,W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia.
            BIRCHARD, S.J. and SHERDING, R.G. ( 1994 ). Saunder Manual of Small Animal Practice , W.B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia.
            RICHARDSON, V.C.G. ( 1992 ). Disese of Domestic Guinea Pigs , Blackwell Scientific Publications , London.

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