Cervical lymphadenitis in the guinea pig

Cervical lymphadenitis is an infection of the lymph nodes in the neck caused by Streptococcus zooepidemicus or other bacteria of the oral cavity. Following excoriation of the oral cavity due to, for example, abrasive foods such as coarse hay, these bacteria, which are part of the normal oral bacterial flora, can colonise the lymph nodes of the neck causing them to suppurate. The volume of the affected lymph nodes increases such that the nodes appear as evident submandibular swellings. Lymphadenitis can be treated by lancing and lavage of the abscess mass; however the pus in guinea pigs is often dense and caseous, as in rabbits, rendering this management fairly ineffective. For this reason, en bloc asportation of the affected lymph node may be indicated. Systemic antibiotics should also be administered.