Sarah Pellett¹, Vicki Temple²

¹Byre Veterinary Surgery, Werrington, United Kingdom. ²Millcroft Vets, Workington, United Kingdom

Objectives

To highlight an unusual presentation of ovarian teratoma in two guinea pigs.

Methods

Two female entire guinea pigs aged one and a half years, and the other two and a half years, presented to separate practices with bilateral thinning of the hair over the flanks and crusting of the nipples. An abdominal mass in the dorsal abdomen was palpable in both cases and presumed to be functional follicular ovarian cysts. Bloods were taken for haematology and biochemistry in one case, and imaging performed for both. In both cases general anaesthesia and ovariohysterectomy was performed to reveal a soft tissue mass in the region of the ovary. Samples were submitted for histopathology. Both guinea pigs recovered well with no complications in the post-operative period. One guinea pig died 7 weeks later and the other passed away 3-years later, both from an unrelated illness.

Results

Haematology revealed a marked neutrophilia and a moderate thrombocytopaenia. On ultrasonography a cystic mass was present caudal to the left kidney in both cases. For both cases, histopathology revealed ovarian teratoma.

Statement: Impact/ Clinical Significance

Teratomas arise from pluripotent germ cells and are composed of tissues derived from at least two of the three embryonic germ layers. They are uncommon neoplasms. These two cases highlight the importance of considering teratomas as a differential for guinea pigs presenting with alopecia or bilateral thinning of the hair over the flanks and abdominal distension and not to presume that cystic ovaries are the only cause.