What Other Medical Conditions Affect Guinea Pigs?
Enlarged Lymph Nodes (“Lumps” or Lymphadenitis)
Lymph nodes are found in several areas of a guinea pig’s body and help fight infection. These nodes often become enlarged in the neck area when they are infected with bacteria. Infected nodes may fill with pus (abscesses) and sometimes appear swollen on only one side. Infection can spread to the ears, sinuses, or eyes. Infection can spread between guinea pigs through bites, skin or mouth wounds, sneezing, coughing, or sexual contact.
Veterinarians diagnose lymph node infection through physical examination and lab tests.
Antibiotics may help, but for severe infections, surgery to remove the nodes might be needed. Preventive measures include avoiding harsh bedding or food that rubs or scrapes the skin, treating dental problems that can create mouth wounds, treating respiratory infections early, and keeping living areas clean. Isolate sick animals to decrease the spread of infection.
Cancers and Tumors
Young guinea pigs can develop skin tumors or blood cancers like leukemia, but many cancers appear more commonly in guinea pigs after 4–5 years of age. Treatment depends on the tumor type and location.
Common tumors involve the reproductive organs (ovaries or uterus) and mammary glands (breasts). These tumors often require surgical removal.
Benign hair-follicle tumors (trichofolliculomas) commonly form at the base of the tail as greasy masses that may ooze a smelly discharge. These tumors must be removed surgically.
Lymphosarcoma is a malignant cancer that can cause enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver, or spleen. Diagnosis involves blood testing and tissue sampling. The prognosis is usually poor—most affected guinea pigs live only weeks after diagnosis.
