Diseases in pet guinea pigs: a retrospective study in 1000 animals

Abstract

Guinea pigs are commonly kept as pet animals; however, information about particular disease prevalence is lacking. The objective of this article was to present disease prevalence in 1000 pet guinea pigs from private owners divided into three age groups: under two years; between two and five years; and above five years. Medical records of guinea pigs () that were presented to the authors' clinic in the period from January 2008 to August 2013 were reviewed. The most commonly diagnosed disease in guinea pigs was dental disease (36.3 per cent), with higher prevalence in the middle age group (P<0.001) and in males (P<0.001) rather than females. Skin problems were seen as the second most common disease (33.3 per cent), with higher prevalence in male guinea pigs (P<0.001) and in animals younger than two years (P<0.001). Ovarian cystic disease was the third most commonly seen disorder, with higher prevalence in females older than two years (P<0.001). Other common health disorders included gastrointestinal stasis, heterotopic ciliary body calcifications, fatty eye and tibiofemoral osteoarthritis. Only 81 guinea pigs from a total of 1000 animals were healthy. This is the first study to describe the disease prevalence in three age groups of pet guinea pigs.

An Investigation into the Relationship between Owner Knowledge, Diet, and Dental Disease in Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus)

“…However, a high percentage of owners supplementing their animals with vitamin C was also seen in a similar study with the authors stating that the management of dietary uptake of vitamin C in guinea pigs should always be discussed [21]. Why many owners decide to supplement their animals in addition to providing pelleted foods that contain vitamin C and feeding fresh vegetables high in vitamin C is unclear.…”

“…Similar studies for guinea pigs are lacking even though there is a high prevalence of dental disease among guinea pigs [21]. In recent clinical studies, dental disease in guinea pigs was diagnosed in 12% to 23.4% of the animals, respectively [22,23], with one study identifying dental disease in 36.3% of the animals presented to the veterinary practice [21].…”

“…In recent clinical studies, dental disease in guinea pigs was diagnosed in 12% to 23.4% of the animals, respectively [22,23], with one study identifying dental disease in 36.3% of the animals presented to the veterinary practice [21]. Poor husbandry and diet have been recognised as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in guinea pigs, and clinical signs of illness shown by guinea pigs are often overlooked by owners [24].…”

Myringotomy as a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Tool in a Case of Otitis Media in a Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus)

“…Otitis media and subsequent otitis interna associated with S. pneumoniae, B. bronchiseptica, S. zooepidemicus, and P. aeruginosa have been previously reported in guinea pigs [1,2]. Otitis media is commonly associated with dental disease and oral flora is often isolated from the ear, indicating a possible opportunistic infection via the eustachian tube secondary to dental disease [3].…”

“…Clinical signs associated with otitis media and interna in guinea pigs include head tilt, ataxia and circling, torticollis, and facial nerve paralysis with secondary ulcerative exposure keratitis [3]. A full work-up including radiography or computed tomography is recommended to rule out other causes of vestibular signs such as trauma, cerebrovascular disease, toxicity, brain abscesses, and concurrent dental disease [1,3]. Common treatment protocols for otitis in guinea pigs include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, analgesics, treatment of concurrent dental disease, and/or flushing of the external ear canal under sedation [3].…”