🐹 Mastitis in Guinea Pigs: A Vet’s 2025 Guide by Dr Duncan Houston BVSc 🩺

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc – Mastitis—bacterial infection of the mammary glands—is a serious concern for lactating guinea pigs. This detailed 2025 guide explores causes, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and prevention strategies to protect both sow and pups. 🐾

📘 What Is Mastitis?

Mastitis refers to inflammation or infection of the mammary glands—commonly in nursing sows after giving birth. It typically results from bacteria entering via teat trauma or contaminated milk pools, leading to swollen, painful glands, reduced milk flow, fever, and potential spread into the bloodstream (septicemia). It’s particularly common in lactating guinea pigs. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

🔍 Etiology & Bacterial Causes

• Contamination by bacteria—such as Pasteurella, coliforms, streptococci, staphylococci—often due to teat trauma from pups or poor hygiene :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
• Inoculation can occur during nursing, from environmental pathogens, or via systemic spread :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

⚠️ Who’s at Risk?

• 🐷 Lactating sows, especially early postpartum or those nursing large litters.
• Hygiene, bedding, and sow health impact susceptibility.
• Non-lactating females rarely affected; when they are, rule out tumors and reproductive conditions :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

📋 Clinical Signs & Detection

• 👩‍🍼 Swollen, warm, painful glands; may become cyanotic or necrotic :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• 🍼 Pup failure to thrive, poor weight gain, or refusal to nurse.
• 🌡️ Sow may show lethargy, anorexia, fever, depression.
• 🔴 Purulent or bloody nipple discharge; glands may ulcerate or abscess.

🔬 Diagnostic Steps

• 🩺 Physical exam—palpation of glands for swelling, warmth, pain/discharge.
• 🧪 Milk or gland aspirate cultures identify causative bacteria :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• 🩸 Bloodwork (CBC, biochemistry) assesses systemic illness or toxemia.

⚕️ Treatment & Veterinary Interventions

1️⃣ Antibiotic Therapy

• Broad-spectrum antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, trimethoprim-sulfa, or enrofloxacin—tailored per culture results :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Treatment usually lasts several weeks to ensure full resolution.

2️⃣ Supportive Care

• Warm compresses, gentle massage, or teat stripping to clear ducts.
• Fluid therapy and nutritional support via syringe-feed or soft diets for anorectic sows.
• Analgesia/NSAIDs to relieve pain and improve comfort.
• Ensure pups can feed from unaffected glands or provide milk replacements as needed.

3️⃣ Surgical & Advanced Options

• Abscessed glands may require incision, drainage, or gland excision.
• Drainage must be clean with ongoing wound care.
• In extreme cases, gland excision may be performed to save sow health.

🩺 Recovery & Prognosis

• 🟢 Early, localized cases with antibiotics/support have a strong prognosis.
• ⚠️ Delayed treatment or systemic involvement (septicemia) worsens outcomes.
• Recurrence is possible if underlying issues—like poor hygiene or teat trauma—aren’t addressed.

🛡️ Prevention Measures

• 🏠 Keep nesting area and cage clean—change bedding daily postpartum.
• 🧼 Practice teat hygiene and inspect for damage after nursing.
• 👶 Limit litter size to reduce teat trauma and stress.
• 🚨 Quarantine new or returning sows to spot early mastitis.
• 🩹 If non-lactating sows develop swelling, evaluate for tumors—not just infection :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

📊 Quick-Reference Table

📲 Ask A Vet, Woopf & Purrz Support

Ask A Vet offers 24/7 teleconsultations for lactation concerns, antibiotic advice, and feeding tips for sows and pups. 🐹💬

Woopf carries comfortable nesting kits and soft bedding to reduce stress during lactation. Purrz provides immune-support pastes and nourishment powders ideal for nursing sows recovering from mastitis. 🛍️

🔬 2025 Vet Insights & Innovations

• 📱 At-home teat monitoring apps and smart feeders detect early mastitis patterns.
• 🧬 Research is exploring vaccine development for mastitis-causing bacteria.
• 🩺 Minimally invasive teat-sparing procedures are being refined to preserve milk production.

📣 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston BVSc 🩺

Mastitis in guinea pigs demands quick and thorough attention. Prioritize hygiene, early detection, and veterinary care—including antibiotics and supportive relief. With proper prevention and care tools, lactating sows and pups can thrive in 2025 and beyond. 💚🐹

👉 Download the Ask A Vet app today for expert mastitis guidance, feeding assistance, and sow-pup support anytime—because every cavy deserves nurturing care! 📱🐾