Common endocrinopathies in guinea pigs

Background : Endocrinopathies in guinea pigs are commonly encountered in practice, but often overlooked and underdiagnosed. Disease may affect the thyroid, the pancreas, the pituitary and adrenal glands and be either physiological or neoplastic. Affected guinea pigs are often presented late in the disease process and endocrinopathies often co‐occur with other conditions such as dental disease. This can make it particularly challenging for clinicians to reach the correct diagnosis. Aim of the article : This article reviews the most common endocrinopathies affecting pet guinea pigs, focusing on clinical presentation, diagnostics and treatment. Clinical signs are often non‐specific making initial recognition and diagnosis challenging in this prey species. Endocrinopathies often lead to weight loss and may be overlooked. Treatment options are outlined and range from medical to surgical depending on the case. Most cases will carry a good prognosis with appropriate medical management leading to good quality of life following diagnosis.