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17 May 2014

Guinea Pig Ovarian Cysts

Posted By : Guest

Filed Under : Veterinary News

With all the cats and dogs filling up veterinary practice waiting rooms, there’s often less time to think in depth about the ailments of guinea pigs and other small mammals. But fortunately, common problems such as ovarian cysts have clear symptoms and, in most cases, can be treated swiftly and effectively.

What are the signs of ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts often strike when female guinea pigs have passed their first birthday. The ovarian follicles can fail to release an egg, causing discomfort and stress. Within the field of guinea pig medicine, this can also be linked to cystic endometrial hyperplasia.

Common symptoms include:

Swollen abdomen (creating abdominal pain for the guinea pig)

Loss of appetite, sometimes leading to anorexia

Hair loss on abdomen (alopecia)

Generally off-colour

Apparent infertility (often noted if the animal is owned by a breeder)

Risks of ovarian cysts

If left untreated, the cysts may burst and cause internal bleeding.

Diagnosing ovarian cysts

A suffering guinea pig may not exhibit all the above signs, but if a few are present, the following diagnostic checks are recommended:

Gentle palpation of the abdomen

Ultrasound scan to establish fluid-filled structures in the abdomen, up to 40mm in diameter (safe with minimal costs)

X-rays – though this is rarely a first choice

Differential diagnoses

It is vital to rule out other possible causes of the above symptoms, including:

Neoplasia of the ovary, uterus, spleen or other internal organ

Abdominal abscess

Treating ovarian cysts

Surgical removal of the cystic structures is usually straightforward – and very similar to a spay operation. The process includes:

General anaesthetic

Midline approach to the abdomen during surgery

Making owners aware of the risks before proceeding, which include bleeding during surgery and possible adverse effects of anaesthetic

Most owners of guinea pigs are open to treatment options, as they tend to build a strong bond with their pets.

What is Burgess Vet Club?

In a nutshell it’s an online resource for all vets packed with…

Practical everyday tips and advice

Easy to read refresher articles

An overview of the latest research and news

A roundup of key topics and debates

and anything relating to small mammals

Each month Burgess in UK will send you a short email with links to latest news and tips.

Why is Burgess different to other veterinary resources?

Burgess will try to keep it filled with useful information easy to read and digest in just a few minutes. Burgess appreciate you all live very busy lives, so rather than sending you protracted articles, they’ll break it down into highlights and key points.

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Tags : Guinea Pig Ovarian Cysts