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A Toxoplasmosis infection is caused by a protozoan parasite called ''Toxoplasma gondii'' in which the definitive host is the cat. Guinea pig infection is caused by consumption of food contaminated with cat faeces, i.e. a faecal-oral route. Tissue cysts from the parasite can be found in muscle, heart, eye and brain. Toxoplasmosis can also cause vulval bleeding and abortion.<br />

A Toxoplasmosis infection is caused by a protozoan parasite called ''Toxoplasma gondii'' in which the definitive host is the cat. Guinea pig infection is caused by consumption of food contaminated with cat faeces, i.e. a faecal-oral route. Tissue cysts from the parasite can be found in muscle, heart, eye and brain. Toxoplasmosis can also cause vulval bleeding and abortion.<br />

===Mastitis===

===Mastitis===

Predisposing factors for the development of this infection are poor standards of environmental cleanliness or a build up of faecal contamination. Various species of bacteria have been found to be involved including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pasturella multocida, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp and various types of Enterobacteriacae.<br />

Predisposing factors for the development of this infection are poor standards of environmental cleanliness or a build up of faecal contamination. Various species of bacteria have been found to be involved including ''Pseudomonas aeruginosa'', ''Pasturella multocida'', ''Corynebacterium pyogenes'', ''Staphylococcus aureus'', ''Streptococcus spp'' and various types of Enterobacteriacae.<br />

Affected mammary glands will be warm, hard and swollen and if the infection is heavy the gland may become ulcerated and necrotic. Mastitis in guinea pigs can also cause systemic illness.<br />

Affected mammary glands will be warm, hard and swollen and if the infection is heavy the gland may become ulcerated and necrotic. Mastitis in guinea pigs can also cause systemic illness.<br />

===Preputial infections===

===Preputial infections===

This type of infection is usually caused when a foreign body such as saw dust becomes trapped in the prepuce causing preputial dermatitis. This can lead to a swelling of the prepuce but also cause inability to copulate. Similarly it has been found that saw dust can also block the vagina of the female also leading to an inability to achieve copulation. <br />

This type of infection is usually caused when a foreign body such as saw dust becomes trapped in the prepuce causing preputial dermatitis. This can lead to a swelling of the prepuce but also cause inability to copulate. Similarly it has been found that saw dust can also block the vagina of the female also leading to an inability to achieve copulation. <br />

To decrease the risk of preputial infections and vaginal blockage wood shavings are superior to saw dust.

To decrease the risk of preputial infections and vaginal blockage wood shavings are superior to saw dust.