RESTRAINT
Guinea pigs are docile animals which rarely bite and there are usually no particular problems in handling them; however, the minimum force possible should be used to immobilise them. During the examination it is essential to take all possible precautions to prevent an accidental fall from the table, should they, for example, try to escape suddenly.
Guinea pigs should be held by putting one hand around their chest and supporting their bottom with the other hand (Fig. 1). If frightened, guinea pigs tend to run rapidly around the cage. In such cases it is preferable to wait until they calm down before trying to grasp them. In extremely debilitated animals stress may induce a cardiac arrest, hence patients in a critical condition should be handled with great care and possibly given oxygen for a few minutes until they stabilise.
EXAMINATION
When examining a guinea pig for the first time it is useful to ask the owner to bring the cage in which the rodent is kept, so as to determine whether the animal is being properly managed. In this way it can be determined whether the litter is adequate, the level of hygiene, the presence of cage furniture such as a “hide” and heavy bowls, the type of food present, the droppings, etc.
It also allows the guinea pig to be observed undisturbed for a few minutes (perhaps after removing the “hide”) in order to assess its behaviour and sensorial state, level of activity, appetite, general appearance, breathing, condition of its hair and its gait. In the meantime the clinical history can be collected and the medical record compiled.
A detailed history must collect all the relevant information on how the guinea pig was raised, its diet (the food given – even occasionally – and the food really consumed), reproductive status, the signs observed, any previous therapies and their outcome, prior health problems, etc.
The examination itself takes place on a table on which a towel and a small mat have been placed to prevent the animal from slipping. Some guinea pigs are completely at ease during a clinical examination and let themselves be caressed without showing fear, while others are totally panic-struck. Frightened guinea pigs usually tend to freeze, however they can also try to flee and fall from the table, so they should always be restrained with one hand.
The examination must be exhaustive and systematic, leaving the more stressful manoeuvres for last. The weight is recorded and auscultation of the chest is performed. Some veterinarians prefer not to measure the body temperature; if this assessment is necessary, it must be carried out with great caution with a lubricated, flexible tip thermometer, so as to avoid damaging the rectum.
The examination must include the hair, skin, narices, lips, incisor teeth, eyes, conjunctivae, ears, inferior surface of the limbs, perineum, limbs and nails. The nutritional status is assessed and the body, abdomen and mammary glands palpated. At the end the molariform teeth are examined with an otoscope, a procedure not liked much by guinea pigs and one which they try to avoid, so help with restraining the animal is useful.
Important signs of disease are:
- Reduced or absent appetite
- Diarrhoea or absence of droppings
- Weight loss
- Ruffled hair
- Ocular and nasal discharges
- Respiratory alterations
- Perineal soiling
- Reluctance to move
- Lethargy and lack of interest in the surroundings
- Saliva drooling on the chin and throat
- Nodules and swellings
- Ulcers of the feet