Exotics Top Topics - Top 10 Guinea Pig Diseases Part 1 Flashcards
(30 cards)
what is another name for slobbers?
dental malocclusion
what is the classic case presentation of slobbers?
wet chin/perioral dermatitis from drooling, difficulty eating, dropping food, tongue may become entrapped, & blood at the mouth if acute
how is slobbers diagnosed in guinea pigs?
physical exam, oral exam with otoscope cone, oral exam under anesthesia, & rads
how is slobbers treated in guinea pigs?
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
slobbers in guinea pigs is similar to what disease in rabbits? how is it different?
malocclusion in rabbits but premolars are more often affected
what are the common causes of slobbers in guinea pigs?
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
T/F: incisors & cheek teeth of guinea pigs grow throughout their life
TRUE
what is the name for vitamin c dietary deficiency in guinea pigs?
scurvy
what is the classic case presentation of scurvy in guinea pigs?
reluctance to move, pain, cries when touched, anorexia/weight loss, soft stool/diarrhea, mucosal bleeding/petechiae/hematuria/subcutaneous hemorrhages, swollen joints, lameness, & alopecia
how is scurvy in guinea pigs diagnosed?
hypercholesterolemia & hypertriglyceridemia & response to vitamin c administration
how is scurvy in guinea pigs treated?
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
why are guinea pigs affected by scurvy?
they are unable to synthesize ascorbic acid which is needed for collagen synthesis
what food is more likely to result in scurvy in guinea pigs over time? why?
big bags of pellets - although cheaper, they are more likely to lose vitamin c content over time (affected by dampness, warmth, & light)
metastatic calcification from scurvy usually affects what guinea pigs?
male guinea pigs
what is the prognosis of scurvy in guinea pigs?
usually good
what is the classic case presentation of bordetellosis in guinea pigs?
acute or chronic pneumonia, otitis media, conjunctivitis, subcutaneous abscesses, abortions/stillbirths, anorexia, nasal or ocular discharge, & sudden death, or chronic: dyspnea & loss of condition
what is the etiology of bordetellosis in guinea pigs? how is it diagnosed?
bordetella bronchiseptica - culture & sensitivity
how is bordetellosis treated in guinea pigs?
abx (ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, or doxycycline)
how is bordetellosis in guinea pigs prevented?
avoid housing near rabbits (asymptomatic carriers) or dogs
what is the classic case presentation of urolithiasis in guinea pigs?
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
how is urolithiasis in guinea pigs diagnosed?
radiographs (calculi are radiopaque) & urinalysis
how is urolithiasis in guinea pigs treated?
usually surgery if urinary bladder only, deit need to watch calcium intake (alfalfa hay is high in calcium)
how is urolithiasis in guinea pigs prevented?
prevent with potassium citrate or citric acids to bind calcium
what is the prognosis of urolithiasis in guinea pigs?
good if in urinary bladder & removed surgically
