Guinea pig paralysis
The guinea pig paralysis is probably caused by infections, inflammation of the brain , the spinal cord and the meninges ( Meningoencephalomyelitis ) in guinea pigs , with paralysis accompanied. The main place of manifestation is the gray matter of the lumbar part of the spinal cord.
Pathogen
Various viruses are suspected to be pathogens, and the involvement of Encephalitozoon cuniculi is also being discussed. The infection occurs orally or already in the womb via the placenta . The incubation period is 9 to 23 days.
Clinical picture and treatment
The disease begins with loss of appetite, difficulty breathing , deterioration in general condition (shaggy fur, crouching) and twitching of the neck, back and shoulder muscles. In the further course, the tone of the muscles continues to decrease and paralysis occurs, especially of the hind limbs ( paraplegia ). Death usually occurs within 2 to 10 days, and rarely the disease can drag on for weeks.
Bacterial diseases and vitamin C deficiency must be excluded from the differential diagnosis . The lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) or toxoplasmosis can cause similar symptoms, but are very rare in guinea pigs.
Specific therapy is not possible, and the prognosis is very poor. In the early stages, vitamin intake should have a positive effect on the disease.
See also
literature
- E. Wasel: guinea pigs . In: K. Gabrisch, P. Zwart: Diseases of pets . 6th edition, Schlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft, Hanover 2005, pp. 49–86, ISBN 3-89993-010-X .
