Post by Georgina/Sollyrules on Feb 13, 2007 13:01:51 GMT
Pneumonia is one of the most common bacterial diseases of the pet guinea pig. Many of the disease causing organisms inhabit the respiratory tracts and conditions of stress, inadequate diet, and improper husbandry will often predispose a pet to this ailment. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, discharge from the nose and eyes, lethargy, and loss of appetite. In some cases, sudden death will occur without any of these signs.
(animal-world.com/encyclo/critters/guin_pig/GuineaPig.php )
Pneumonia is one of the most common bacterial diseases of the pet guinea pig. Respiratory infections are caused by a number of viral and bacterial agents including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bordatella bronchiseptica, and a gram positive diplococcus. Many of the disease causing organisms inhabit the respiratory tracts of clinically normal guinea pigs. Conditions of stress, inadequate diet, and improper husbandry will often predispose a pet to an opportunistic infection with one or more of these agents. Symptoms of pneumonia may include dyspnoea (difficulty breathing), discharge from the nose and eyes, lethargy, and inappetance. In some cases, sudden death will occur without any of these signs.
Occasionally, middle or inner ear infections accompany respiratory disease in guinea pigs. Additional symptoms in these cases include incoordination, torticollis (twisting of the neck), circling to one side, and rolling.
Veterinary consultation should be sought when a guinea pig exhibits any of the above symptoms. A bacterial culture with antibiotic sensitivity of the throat and/or nasal discharge will assist the veterinarian in the selection of an appropriate antibiotic. Aggressive antibiotic therapy in addition to supportive care of the patient may be necessary to get the condition under control. Unfortunately, even though elimination of the symptoms is often possible with appropriate therapy, eradication of the causative bacteria is not.
(www.v-e-t-s.co.uk/guinea_pigs.htm)
(www.ahc.umn.edu/rar/MNAALAS/GPig.html#Pneumonia )
(animal-world.com/encyclo/critters/guin_pig/GuineaPig.php )
Pneumonia is one of the most common bacterial diseases of the pet guinea pig. Respiratory infections are caused by a number of viral and bacterial agents including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Bordatella bronchiseptica, and a gram positive diplococcus. Many of the disease causing organisms inhabit the respiratory tracts of clinically normal guinea pigs. Conditions of stress, inadequate diet, and improper husbandry will often predispose a pet to an opportunistic infection with one or more of these agents. Symptoms of pneumonia may include dyspnoea (difficulty breathing), discharge from the nose and eyes, lethargy, and inappetance. In some cases, sudden death will occur without any of these signs.
Occasionally, middle or inner ear infections accompany respiratory disease in guinea pigs. Additional symptoms in these cases include incoordination, torticollis (twisting of the neck), circling to one side, and rolling.
Veterinary consultation should be sought when a guinea pig exhibits any of the above symptoms. A bacterial culture with antibiotic sensitivity of the throat and/or nasal discharge will assist the veterinarian in the selection of an appropriate antibiotic. Aggressive antibiotic therapy in addition to supportive care of the patient may be necessary to get the condition under control. Unfortunately, even though elimination of the symptoms is often possible with appropriate therapy, eradication of the causative bacteria is not.
(www.v-e-t-s.co.uk/guinea_pigs.htm)
(www.ahc.umn.edu/rar/MNAALAS/GPig.html#Pneumonia )