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Guinea Pigs (Laboratory) - Pathology (view source)
Revision as of 14:40, 21 October 2010
, 14:40, 21 October 2010no edit summary
===Digestive System===
===Digestive System===
Guinea pigs have a longer colon than other rodents, accounting for 60% of the length of its intestines. Guinea pigs also have a relatively large caecum for the digestion of cellulose and it is able to contain up to 65% of the gastrointestinal contents at any time. The stomach is non-glandular and the female spleen is significantly larger than a male spleen.
Guinea pigs have a longer colon than other rodents, accounting for 60% of the length of its intestines. Guinea pigs also have a relatively large caecum for the digestion of cellulose and it is able to contain up to 65% of the gastrointestinal contents at any time. The stomach is non-glandular and the female spleen is significantly larger than a male spleen.
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==Diseases==
For ease of use, the diseases of guinea pigs listed below will be by body system, or where this is not appropriate in an “Other” category displayed after the body system sections. Those diseases listed below are not exhaustive but rather highlight common diseases encountered with laboratory guinea pigs.
===Integument System===
Perhaps the most common finding in guinea pigs are skin problems related to diet, specifically a low vitamin C diet. Diet should always be considered when evaluating the integumentary system.
=Ringworm=
The causal agent of this mycotic infection is commonly either ''Trichophyton mentagrophytes'' or ''Microsporum gypseum''. Areas of alopecia and seborrhoea can be found and hair can easily be plucked. Microscopic examination of hair plucked from areas of lesion is sufficient to confirm diagnosis.
Guinea pigs can suffer from a wide range of mycotic infections which can range in severity from mild skin changes to cystitis, pneumonia and reproductive disorders.
=Mange=
This mite infection is commonly caused by ''Trixacarus caviae'', a sarcoptiform mite. Clinical signs usually occur 3-5 weeks after infection and lesions are usually visible around the head, shoulders and back. Hair is easily plucked and skin is usually seborrhoeic and pruritic. In some cases self trauma may also compound problems.
Microscopic examination of skin scrapings is usually sufficient to confirm diagnosis. Guinea pigs are also succeptible to Demodex infections with similar clinical signs and diagnosis.