Ultrasonographic detection of abdominal abscess in two guinea pigs

Two guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) with clinical signs of anorexia, weight loss, depression and abdominal enlargement were examined. During ultrasound examination, a fluid-filled anechogenic structure 3-4 cm in diameter, with echogenic spots and a highly echogenic thick wall, was found in the pelvic region in one case and connected to the liver in the other case. An abscess or a cyst was suspected and surgical treatment including laparotomy was performed. By histopathological examination performed after surgery, a liver abscess was diagnosed in one guinea pig and an abscess in the pelvic region in the other animal.     

Conjunctival dermoid in two guinea pigs: a case report

Clinical and histologic findings of conjunctival dermoids in two unrelated guinea pigs are described. The dermoids were treated surgically by resection with superficial lamellar keratectomy and corneal epithelial debridement. Histologically the dermis underneath a stratified squamous keratinized and variably pigmented epithelium consisted of multiple hair follicles, with clearly visible arrectores pilorum muscles, sebaceous glands and loose vascularized fatty tissue.     

Extraction of an incisor embedded within the nasal cavity in two guinea pigs

Oral examination of two guinea pigs revealed that the unilateral incisor was absent. On radiographic examination, the incisor was identified within the nasal cavity in both patients. Under anesthesia in both patients, the skin was incised from the nostril to 1.5 cm proximal, and the premaxilla and part of the maxilla were exposed. The bone was removed using a surgical drill, and the incisor was exposed in the nasal cavity. The root was grasped with forceps and carefully extracted as it was degraded and very fragile. Diagnosis was easy using oral and radiographic examination. In guinea pig patients where an incisor is absent on oral examination, this condition should be considered.     

Pathophysiologic features of Q fever-infected guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs infected with 9-mile phase I strain of Coxiella burnetii had increased blood glucose concentrations; alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), alpha-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (alpha-HBDH), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) activities; and bilirubin value. Hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia were evident in the latter days of infection. At necropsy of the guinea pigs, necrotic foci were in liver, spleen, and heart. Seemingly, the major pathophysiologic changes in infected guinea pigs were the direct result of lesions in liver, spleen, and heart in which rickettsial bodies were readily observable with histologic staining procedures. The guinea pig may serve as an animal disease model for Q fever.     

Experimental Tonsillophilus suis granuloma in rats and guinea pigs.

Rats and guinea pigs were experimentally infected by intradermal and intraperitoneal inoculation of T. suis. These animals were observed for pathologic changes at various stages. Macroscopic observation disclosed visible grayish white soft nodules at the injection site in those inoculated intradermally and many grayish white nodules in the peritoneum of those inoculated intraperitoneally. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of characteristic microbial elements in the centre of the lesions. Various stages of the lesions were recognized; the early stage being abscess, the advanced stage being pus-forming granuloma and the final stage being residual granuloma. The microbial elements were composed of spores, thalli and multilocular tubers. Clubs were formed around microbial elements in rats inoculated intradermally and in guinea pigs inoculated intraperitoneally. The characteristic T. suis lesions in pigs were reproduced by experimental infection of this organisms in rats and guinea pigs, and thus the pathogenicity of T. suis was confirmed.     

Visual evoked potentials in guinea pigs with brain lesion.

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded in 10 adult male guinea pigs with brain lesion. Lesions were produced in 5 animals by superficial suction of the occipital lobe. The other 5 animals were orally administered with hexachlorophene (about 35 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. In the VEP following the ablation of the occipital lobe, the peaks P10, N20, P55, N75, N140 and P200 disappeared in many cases. The amplitude of the peak N40 decreased to approximately one half its control VEP. In the VEP obtained from the animals administered with hexachlorophene, the peak latencies of N20, P30, P55, N75 and P100 were slightly prolonged after the 7th day following the first administration. On the other hand, there was no change in the latency of N40 during the whole period of administration. The peak-to-peak amplitude showed some variability in different peaks. Histologically, diffuse status spongiosis were found in the white matter of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem. As described above, the ablation of the occipital lobe caused markedly depressed VEPs, however, the responses to the photic stimulation persisted after the injury. On the other hand, the VEPs of animals administered with hexachlorophene showed a high probability of peak appearance, and a decrease in amplitude was not marked.     

Abdominal ultrasonography in pet guinea pigs

Ultrasonographic examination of 40 pet guinea pigs was performed in the framework of this study. Preparation of the patient for ultrasonography and the examination procedure are described. Normal ultrasonographic findings of the abdominal organs including the liver, spleen, kidney and urinary bladder are presented and illustrated for the first time in this species. Ultrasonography was found to be a useful investigative tool in the diagnosis of abdominal diseases in guinea pigs. In comparison to other diagnostic methods like physical examination including palpation, haematological examination, radiography and diagnostic laparotomy, ultrasonography offers a rapid, non-invasive and reliable means of diagnosing abdominal diseases in this species.