Lymphadenopathy, head tilt, blindness in a guinea pig

RE: Lymphadenopathy, head tilt, blindness in a guinea pig

Lucy Fleming — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 16:02:22 GMT

Good job I didn't - when I checked the record I realised the GP had died at home, the owners called on Monday to let us know but I was off sick.

RE: Lymphadenopathy, head tilt, blindness in a guinea pig

Lucy Fleming — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 09:32:44 GMT

[quote user="Marie Kubiak"]I would be cautious using glucocorticoids given the GI and bone marrow side effects are more common and more serious in GPs and there may still be an infectious cause- we tend to use meloxicam in preference[/quote]

Thanks for that information Marie - it was making me a bit nervous I must admit! I'll give them a ring and see how she is doing and suggest we switch to metacam.

RE: Lymphadenopathy, head tilt, blindness in a guinea pig

grumpyoldman — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 00:15:52 GMT

if they do not want to investigate properly get something signed to that effect , and go with your original thoughts but be prepared for a second opinion phone call ,or input about the teeth from a rodentologist or some other weirdo that regularly tortures these creatures up to their last gasp.

RE: Lymphadenopathy, head tilt, blindness in a guinea pig

Marie Kubiak — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 17:43:37 GMT

I would be cautious using glucocorticoids given the GI and bone marrow side effects are more common and more serious in GPs and there may still be an infectious cause- we tend to use meloxicam in preference

RE: Lymphadenopathy, head tilt, blindness in a guinea pig

Lucy Fleming — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 13:41:43 GMT

Thank you Marie. The owners declined FNA initially as they feel this will distress her too much. We have covered her with antibiotics and started with glucocorticoids and will monitor the response.

RE: Lymphadenopathy, head tilt, blindness in a guinea pig

Marie Kubiak — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 09:26:31 GMT

Lymphoma is one of the more common neoplasms in GPs and does increase in incidence in the >4yrs age group. Prognosis is poor with terminal decline within 4wks in the vadt majority of cases though rarely guinea pigs can survive several months in palliative therapy. Cervical lympadenitis and reactive lymphadenopathy related to otitis or other infections are also possibilities.

A lymph node excisional biopsy would be ideal but FNAs are often diagnostic and are better tolerated.

Marie