Guinea Lynx A Medical and Care Guide for Guinea Pigs

CHEILITIS

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Cheilitis -- Inflammation of the Lips

Guinea pig with cheilitis. Most frequently these lesions are caused by a bacterial infection (typically Staphylococcus aureus) but there can be other causes like Candida (a yeast infection). A pox virus has been found in the UK which reportedly can cause cheilitis.

Brown and Rosenthal recommend debridement, culturing (both microbial and fungal cultures), cleaning with a mild antiseptic solution and using topical and systemic antibiotics safe for guinea pigs. Check for dental disease and treat if present.

Be sure to check the mouth for signs of fungal infection (thrush).

Click on photo for larger image

Treatment For A Bacterial Infection

Apply triple antibiotic ointment sparingly twice daily. Ointment contains antibiotics that are not safe to ingest so use very carefully. Daily application may be required to keep the infection from returning. Serafina Cupido has had success using the injectable form of enrofloxacin (Baytril) topically.

Candida -- Case Study

Case I

Barbara Osborn's 3 boars had been unsuccessfully treated for cheilitis with neosporin and silver sulfadiazine.

Diagnosis

A cytology was done on the guinea pig with the most severe case. The vet took a swab and did a micro-stain in the office (4-5 minutes) and identified a yeast infection -- Candida.

Treatment

Her pigs were prescribed Nystatin Suspension to be given 5-6 times a day by Q-tip. She was told it could take 2- 3 weeks to clear up but found the infection (which had been present for over two months) cleared up in only two days with only a small amount of crustiness remaining. Nystatin is both an oral and topical medication.

Both neosporin and silver sulfadiazine (SSD) were ineffective for Candida.

Guinea pig with cheilitis. Case II

Along with the mouth sores, Becky's guinea pig, pictured at right, also had what looked a bit like cottage cheese inside his mouth.

She swabbed her guinea pig's mouth with Nystatin, then swabbed the outside area also with Nystatin. A few hours later, applied BNP to the outside areas. Each time time swabbing off the scabby part. Improvement was slow. After Photo


PREVENTION

Guinea pig with cheilitis.Brown and Rosenthal postulate cheilitis is caused by cuts and abrasions from coarse foodstuffs (but not good quality hay), bedding, or sharp objects in the environment which might allow a staph infection to take hold and spread. Dental disease and vitamin C deficiency may also be contributing factors.

Online research of human cheilitis indicates diet may be a factor. Make sure your guinea pig is fed nutritious foods and getting adequate B vitamins and vitamin C.

Guinea pig with cheilitis.

Photo Credits

Top photo, thanks to mmercedesmom

Middle before and after photos, thanks to Becky.

Bottom photos, thanks to Davidmorrisuk (picture #1) and Nicola (picture #2).

References

  • Self-Assessment Color Review of Small Mammals, by Susan A. Brown and Karen L. Rosenthal (publisher Iowa State University Press -- 1997) p.175 Go Up

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