There are 3 types of ovarian cysts that occur in guinea pigs: serous cysts (nonfunctional cysts), Hormone-producing follicular cysts (estrogen), and Parovarian cysts. Serous cysts can become quite large (0.5-7cm) and will continue to increase in size and number as the animal ages. The occurrence of cysts has no correlation with the guinea pig’s reproductive history. Some guinea pigs will have concurrent problems with uterine or ovarian tumors, cystic endometrial hyperplasia, and endometritis. Older animals are more frequently affected. Studies have shown that cysts are present in 80-90% of guinea pig sows over 2 years old.
Many patients have no symptoms while others may show signs of loss of appetite, depression, loss of hair along one or both flanks, crusting of the skin around the nipples, abdominal distension or a pear-shaped body shape. There may be signs associated with the urinary tract including straining to urinate or blood in the urine. Patients may also have irregular heat cycles, vaginal discharge, and behavioral changes.
Conditions with similar symptoms include tumors of the spleen, uterus, or ovaries.
Your veterinarian may recommend imaging such as radiographs or abdominal ultrasound to differentiate between ovarian cysts and abdominal masses. If surgery is pursued, submitting the tissue for pathologist evaluation is also recommended.
The treatment of choice for ovarian cysts in guinea pigs is spaying (ovariohysterectomy). In debilitated animals, needle aspiration to decrease the size of the cyst can be performed, however, cysts tend to refill rapidly. Hormone producing cysts can be treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Otherwise, supportive care with pain medications, fluids, and assist feeding as needed.
The prognosis for patients with cysts removed surgically is generally good, however in debilitated patients with pain and stress can result in a poor outcome. In patients with cysts not removed surgically there is risk of cyst rupture that can cause patients to rapidly decompensate and become suddenly critical ill.
Spaying female guinea pigs when young will eliminate the possibility of ovarian cysts forming.
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