About Cushing's Disease in Guinea Pigs

Cushing's disease in guinea pigs has been studied little because it occurs so infrequently in the species. Guinea-pig owners and veterinarians thus can benefit from knowing the basics of the disease and how to treat it.

Cause

Cushing's disease in guinea pigs is related to levels of the hormone cortisol and involves tumors in the pituitary or adrenal glands.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Cushing's disease include thin and dry skin, polydipsia and frequent urination, belly distention, and loss of weight and hair.

Testing

Blood tests are used to confirm a diagnosis of Cushing's disease.

Treatment

Symptoms of Cushing's disease in guinea pigs can be treated with the drug L-deprenyl, but no cure for the disease is available at this time.

Frequency of Disease

Cushing's disease is common in some species such as dogs, but is extremely rare in guinea pigs.

Spread of Disease

Because Cushing's disease is a hormonal disease, it is not contagious to other guinea pigs or to guinea-pig handlers or owners.

Additional Information

A basic understanding of Cushing's disease in guinea pigs can be obtained more easily by looking at documentation for other species, although some guinea-pig case studies do exist (see Resources).

Resources

• Case Study for a Guinea Pig With Cushing's Disease
• Overview of Cushing's Disease in Another Species

[marumoto]

on 6/6/2009 I may have some experience with Cushing in gp's. Seems to be genetically determined. The symptoms are described adequately above. Main features are hyperglycaemia and alopecia. Often misdiagnosed as diabetes mellitus and/or ovarian cysts.Heart problems are often a sequel. Recently examined a 3 jr old female post-mortem. Death cause was haemorrhagic cardiac tamponade. Section showed bilateral adrenal tumors (ca 1 cm in diameter) and no signs of ovarian cysts.Dr. E. Stoffels, Belgium.