Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Re: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Richard Fox — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:10:30 GMT

Hmm - damn - thanks for the info though - I guess if it wasn't inflam then does sounds like lymphoma so not one you were going to win

Re: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Thomas Johnson — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 15:14:33 GMT

Bacterial culture was negative, the cytologist's comments were:

"Four submitted smears indicated to be from enlarged lymph nodes contain moderate nucleated cells in a protein background. Cell preservation is not optimal with smudged and ruptured cells evident and areas where the cells are not presented in a monolayer. There is a heterogenous population of lymphoid cells varying from large lymphoblasts to small lymphocytes. However medium sized lymphocytes appear to predominate. These cells have large nuclei containing finely clumped chromatin and many have distinct nucleoli. Cytoplasm varies from scant to moderately abundant and stains basophilic blue and slightly granular. A few cells have a perinuclear clear area. There are a few mitotic figures evident with a few neutrophils, macrophages and occasional mast cell.

There are a variety of lymphoid cell types represented in the smears, but the predominance of medium-sized lymphoid cells suggests that lymphoma should be the primary consideration. The possibility of an atypical or early hyperplastic reaction cannot be completely ruled out, but is considered less likely. Since the cytological interpretation of lymphoma is probable, but not definitive, additional investigation is recommended. Evaluation of a lymph node biopsy is recommended in order to determine if the cytological suspicion of lymphoma is correct."

Unfortunately the guinea pig died overnight last night.

Re: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Thomas Johnson — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 16:14:11 GMT

[quote user="Richard Fox"]

Any response to Ab's ?

[/quote]

I started it on antibiotics today, so will speak to the owner on Monday to find out how it's responded over the weekend.

Re: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Richard Fox — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:47:58 GMT

Any response to Ab's ?

Re: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Thomas Johnson — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:46:20 GMT

I aspirated pus from the right inguinal lymph node under GA today, I have sent it to the lab, will let you know when I get some results.

Re: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Mark Rowland — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:57:22 GMT

IMHO, Ive found full on biopsies are more helpful in these cases. If you biopsy a cervical node and get a heap of core pus, you are halfway there also. While ive got them uga, I would be getting some blood as well. Is piggy dysphagic?

Goodluck

Re: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Thomas Johnson — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:56:53 GMT

[quote user="Richard Fox"]

Lymphoma is relatively rare in the Guinea Pig so I would think it is more likely inflammatory in nature - multicentric lymphadenitis is also probably unlikely (given the lack of pyrexia) so my assumption would be, like you, is that these lymph nodes are reactive. Is the ventral alopecia associated with pruritis or hyperaemia that would infer a cause. If not then I might start looking elsewhere - From a biopsy front why not aspirate the lymph nodess to rule out neoplasia and then follow on with further work up maybe including skin biosies/scrapes/hair plucks and culture? Any evidence of lice/mites? Response to parasiticides? Do the skin lesions have the same duration as the lymphadenopathy?

[/quote]

Thank you all for your comments. The guinea pig is not pruritic, the skin is a little scaly, but not erythematous. The owner noticed the skin lesions at the same time as the masses. I will talk to the owner and discuss FNAs and/or starting antibiotics.

Re: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:52:22 GMT

I remember during bacteriology in my 3rd year talk of yersinia in guinea pigs causing lymphadenopathy. Never seen a case but a differential?

Re: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Marie Kubiak — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:57:34 GMT

Not too often, probably only 3-4 cases a year. I have to admit I rarely take rectal temps in GPs so can't help there!

I have seen quite a few lymphoma cases in young pigs over the last few years though so FNA all now.

Marie

Re: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Richard Fox — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:41:50 GMT

Marie - do you see a lot of Strep lymphadenitis still in guinea pigs? Are they normothermic?

Perhaps then AB's and also lnn aspirates maybe the best way to go for now?

Re: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Marie Kubiak — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:37:58 GMT

Strep infection and lymphoma are main differentials in a GP, cytology of FNA's should give better indication.

Marie

Re: Generalised lymphadenopathy in a guinea pig

Richard Fox — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:01:10 GMT