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Study sheds light on guinea pig neoplasia
It had been previously considered that tumour prevalence in guinea pigs was low.

Tumour prevalence increases with age.

Tumour prevalence is higher in guinea pigs than previously thought, according to new research.

The study led by the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna used autopsy reports collected from three pathology institutes in Germany, Austria and the USA. Of the 2,474 guinea pigs autopsied, the team found tumours in 508 cases (21 per cent of guinea pigs), and multiple tumours in 95 cases. 

Leukaemia or lymphomas were the most common tumours,
particularly in younger animals, with lymph nodes, liver and spleen being the most frequently affected organs. Non-lymphoid tumours were most commonly found in the female genital tract (mostly the uterus), lungs, skin, thyroid gland and gastrointestinal tract.

It had been previously considered that tumour prevalence in guinea pigs was low – based on research on laboratory animals which are typically younger. However, this new study found a tumour in one in five guinea pigs, which is higher than for pet rabbits studied at the same institution. 

Moreover, the team found that tumour prevalence increased with age – from one per cent in guinea pigs under 0.5 years old to 54 per cent for animals over five years old. 

The authors write: ‘Our postmortem study demonstrates a high prevalence of disseminated lymphoma or leukaemia in pet guinea pigs at the time of death or euthanasia. Additional studies are needed to further characterize these tumors.’

The research, Neoplasia in pet guinea pigs: a retrospective analysis of 2,474 autopsy examinations, is published in the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation

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Free CPD announced for BVNA members

News Story 1
 Zoetis is to present a CPD event for free to members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA).

Led by veterinary consultant Ruth Moxon, the one-hour online session is designed to help veterinary nurses discuss parasiticide options with clients. It will advise on structuring recommendations, factors for product choice and moving away from 'selling'.

'How do you recommend parasite treatments to your clients?' will be presented on Tuesday, 20 May at 7.30pm. It is free for BVNA members, with £15.00 tickets for non-members.

Veterinary nurses can email cpd@bvna.co.uk to book their place. 

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DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.