Pasteurellosis of the guinea pig
The pasteurellosis of the guinea pig is a by Pasteurella multocida caused bacterial infectious disease in guinea pigs . Clinically, it usually manifests itself as an acute, serious disease of the respiratory system . Treatment is through antibiotics.
clinic
The infection often occurs through contact with rabbits (see also rabbit pasteurellosis ) or feed contaminated with feces from rabbits and rodents . P. multocida is also found in healthy (latently infected) guinea pigs. The incubation period is 5 to 10 days.
The disease can occur as acute blood poisoning ( septicemia ) and severe illness of the respiratory system ( bronchopneumonia ) with fatigue, rough fur, fever, shortness of breath ( dyspnoea ), and nasal and eye discharge. Acutely ill animals usually die after two to three days.
Pasteurellosis can also be a specific organ disease, e.g. B. Vaginal inflammation with vaginal discharge, testicular inflammation , with diarrhea as a result of gastroenteritis or in the form of skin ulcers.
Chronic courses are also possible.
Diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis can only be made clinically as a suspicion, in particular rodentiosis and other respiratory diseases caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Chlamydophila caviae , Streptobacillus moniliformis , streptococci and staphylococci and various types of Haemophilus can be used for differential diagnosis . Evidence is a pathogen detection from swab samples.
The treatment of Pasteurellosis is done with antibiotics after a previous antibiogram . Tetracycline or trimethoprim - sulfonamide combinations are usually effective .
literature
- E. Wasel: guinea pigs . In: K. Gabrisch and P. Zwart: Diseases of pets . Hanover: Schlütersche, 6th edition 2005, pp. 49–86. ISBN 3-89993-010-X
