Guinea Pigs Are Not Small Rabbits; A Review of Guinea Pig Basics and Common Diseases (SVS2024)

Guinea pigs are small rodents belonging to the family Caviidae. Just like rabbits, they are hindgut fermenting herbivores with continuously growing teeth that thrive on a high-fibre diet. However, they have many features that differ from rabbits. Disease prevalence and pathophysiology of common diseases are unique and, in some cases, poorly understood in guinea pigs. This lecture aims to provide a brief overview of guinea pig anatomy and physiology, and common diseases seen in clinical practice.