Osteoarthritis in pet guinea pigs: an update on diagnosis, treatment and management

Abstract

This article reviews the current literature on osteoarthritis in pet and laboratory guinea pigs. The associated clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis in pet guinea pigs will be discussed, with options for analgesia detailed. This condition is thought to be common in pet guinea pigs, even from an early age in some genetic lines, although osteoarthritis often goes undiagnosed in this species until advanced disease is present, posing a major welfare concern. Increasing awareness of this condition in veterinary practitioners should aid early diagnosis in pets and help improve their quality of life. Prevention may be possible using oral protective nutritional supplements to slow down the progression of this disease at an early stage. Lifestyle changes are also discussed for the management of this condition in pet guinea pigs.

Guinea pig nutrition: what do we know?

“…Tibiofemoral osteoarthritis causes a significant health issue in pet guinea pigs (Minarikova and others 2015, Keeble 2021) (Fig 9). Osteoarthritis may occur secondary to dietary and husbandry factors in pet guinea pigs, such as obesity, ulcerative pododermatitis, vitamin C deficiency or excess, inadequate exercise, improper substrate or joint trauma (Pignon and Mayer 2021).…”

“…There is scientific evidence in guinea pigs that glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate oral supplements are protective and prevent against the development of osteoarthritis when given from an early age (Taniguchi and others 2012). Dietary supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate (given orally at 200 mg/kg once a day), may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of this disease in pet guinea pigs if given early on in the disease course (Keeble 2021). However, it is not known whether this same beneficial effect would occur in chronic cases of osteoarthritis, which is often the stage at which pet guinea pigs are presented to veterinarians.…”

“…be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of this disease in pet guinea pigs if given early on in the disease course (Keeble 2021). However, it is not known whether this same beneficial effect would occur in chronic cases of osteoarthritis, which is often the stage at which pet guinea pigs are presented to veterinarians.…”