Cardiorespiratory disease

Jaume Martorell

doi:10.22233/9781910443903.16

British Small Animal Veterinary Association , e20 (2026); https://doi.org/10.22233/9781910443903.16

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Cardiorespiratory disease

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Author: Jaume Martorell
From: BSAVA Manual of Guinea Pigs
Item: Chapter 16, pp 188 - 204
DOI: 10.22233/9781910443903.16
Copyright: © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
Publication Date: January 2026

Cardiorespiratory diseases are common in pet guinea pigs. However, it is likely that the prevalence and relative importance of cardiorespiratory diseases is underestimated in guinea pigs because they can deteriorate quickly when ill and they are not routinely presented for post-mortem examination. This chapter covers the anatomy and physiology, clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of a range of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, including emergencies.

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Figures

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16.1

Viscera of the thoracic cavity of the guinea pig. The first part of the lungs has been partly removed. (a) View from the left side showing structures of the (ai) circulatory, (aii) respiratory, and (aiii) lymphatic and nervous systems. Viscera of the thoracic cavity of the guinea pig. The first part of the lungs has been partly removed. (b) View from the right side showing structures of the (bi) circulatory, (bii) respiratory, and (biii) lymphatic and nervous systems. (Adapted and modified from Popesko et al., 1992 ) Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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16.1 Viscera of the thoracic cavity of the guinea pig. The first part of the lungs has been partly removed. (a) View from the left side showing structures of the (ai) circulatory, (aii) respiratory, and (aiii) lymphatic and nervous systems. Viscera of the thoracic cavity of the guinea pig. The first part of the lungs has been partly removed. (b) View from the right side showing structures of the (bi) circulatory, (bii) respiratory, and (biii) lymphatic and nervous systems. (Adapted and modified from Popesko et al., 1992 ) Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

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16.2

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16.2 The main veins and arteries of the cardiovascular system. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

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16.3

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16.3 (a) Ventrodorsal and (b) right lateral thoracic radiographs of a healthy guinea pig.

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16.4

(a) Ventrodorsal and (b) right lateral thoracic radiographs of a guinea pig with cardiomegaly. There is dorsal displacement of the trachea (arrowed) and the cardiac silhouette is larger than normal. The stomach is distended with gas (G) due to dyspnoea. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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16.4 (a) Ventrodorsal and (b) right lateral thoracic radiographs of a guinea pig with cardiomegaly. There is dorsal displacement of the trachea (arrowed) and the cardiac silhouette is larger than normal. The stomach is distended with gas (G) due to dyspnoea.

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16.7

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16.7 Ultrasonographic examination being performed in a sedated guinea pig. Note that oxygen is being provided near the nose (arrowed).

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16.8

Computed tomographic images of the skull of a healthy guinea pig, obtained using a bone window, allowing evaluation of the (a) nasal cavity (nc) and (b) the caudal part of the nasal cavity (cd nc). Note the air-filled maxillary sinus (*) and nasopharynx (nx). © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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16.8 Computed tomographic images of the skull of a healthy guinea pig, obtained using a bone window, allowing evaluation of the (a) nasal cavity (nc) and (b) the caudal part of the nasal cavity (cd nc). Note the air-filled maxillary sinus (*) and nasopharynx (nx).

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16.9

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16.9 A computed tomographic image of the thorax of a healthy guinea pig, obtained using a lung window. h = heart.

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16.10

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16.10 (a) Positioning of a guinea pig for electrocardiography. Note the placement of the electrodes. (b) Loop electrodes can be used for the examination.

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16.12

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16.12 Ultrasound-guided thoracocentesis being performed in a guinea pig with pleural effusion.

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16.13

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16.13 An intravenous catheter placed in the cephalic vein of a guinea pig for the administration of medication and fluids.

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16.14

Ultrasonographic appearance of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a guinea pig. (a) The callipers show measurement of the free wall of the left ventricle (LV). (b) The callipers show measurement of the diameter of the LV. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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16.14 Ultrasonographic appearance of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a guinea pig. (a) The callipers show measurement of the free wall of the left ventricle (LV). (b) The callipers show measurement of the diameter of the LV.

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16.16

A guinea pig with rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Mucus is present in (a) the medial aspect of the left eye and (b) both nares. (c) Grooming has resulted in an accumulation of mucus in the fur of the medial aspect of the forefeet (arrowhead). © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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16.16 A guinea pig with rhinitis and conjunctivitis. Mucus is present in (a) the medial aspect of the left eye and (b) both nares. (c) Grooming has resulted in an accumulation of mucus in the fur of the medial aspect of the forefeet (arrowhead).

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16.17

Computed tomographic images of the skull of a guinea pig with rhinitis, obtained using a bone window. (a) The left nasal cavity is filled with mucus. (b) The right tympanic bulla is filled with mucus. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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16.17 Computed tomographic images of the skull of a guinea pig with rhinitis, obtained using a bone window. (a) The left nasal cavity is filled with mucus. (b) The right tympanic bulla is filled with mucus.

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16.18

A computed tomographic image of the skull of a guinea pig with rhinitis and sinusitis, obtained using a bone window. The left and right nasal cavities (nc) and both maxillary sinuses (*) are filled with mucus. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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16.18 A computed tomographic image of the skull of a guinea pig with rhinitis and sinusitis, obtained using a bone window. The left and right nasal cavities (nc) and both maxillary sinuses (*) are filled with mucus.

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16.19

(a) Right lateral thoracic and abdominal, and (b) ventrodorsal thoracic and cranial radiographic views of a guinea pig with severe pneumonia. The cranial lung lobe is most severely affected. The stomach (S) is full of gas due to aerophagia. Bilateral otitis media can be seen on (b): both tympanic bullae (*) are completely radiopaque. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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16.19 (a) Right lateral thoracic and abdominal, and (b) ventrodorsal thoracic and cranial radiographic views of a guinea pig with severe pneumonia. The cranial lung lobe is most severely affected. The stomach (S) is full of gas due to aerophagia. Bilateral otitis media can be seen on (b): both tympanic bullae (*) are completely radiopaque.

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16.20

(a) Ventrodorsal and (b) lateral radiographs of a guinea pig with severe pneumonia. The left lung is more severely affected than the right. An alveolar lung pattern is visible. The stomach (S) is labelled. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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16.20 (a) Ventrodorsal and (b) lateral radiographs of a guinea pig with severe pneumonia. The left lung is more severely affected than the right. An alveolar lung pattern is visible. The stomach (S) is labelled.

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16.21

Computed tomographic images of the thorax of a guinea pig, obtained using a lung window. (a) The hyperattenuation of the right ventral pulmonary area (*) is compatible with pulmonary collapse and is probably due to the guinea pig being placed in lateral recumbency for a procedure performed before the CT examination. (b) The hyperattenuation of the right pulmonary area (+) is compatible with pneumonia. (c) The mild hyperattenuation in both lungs (p) is compatible with mild bilateral pneumonia. (d) The hyperattenuation of the right pulmonary area (p) is compatible with focal pneumonia. h = heart. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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16.21 Computed tomographic images of the thorax of a guinea pig, obtained using a lung window. (a) The hyperattenuation of the right ventral pulmonary area (*) is compatible with pulmonary collapse and is probably due to the guinea pig being placed in lateral recumbency for a procedure performed before the CT examination. (b) The hyperattenuation of the right pulmonary area (+) is compatible with pneumonia. (c) The mild hyperattenuation in both lungs (p) is compatible with mild bilateral pneumonia. (d) The hyperattenuation of the right pulmonary area (p) is compatible with focal pneumonia. h = heart.

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16.22

(a) Ventrodorsal and (b) right lateral thoracic radiographs of a guinea pig with severe pneumonia. The right accessory lung lobe is severely affected; an alveolar lung pattern is visible and there are multiple areas of high radiodensity compatible with calcifications (arrowed). © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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16.22 (a) Ventrodorsal and (b) right lateral thoracic radiographs of a guinea pig with severe pneumonia. The right accessory lung lobe is severely affected; an alveolar lung pattern is visible and there are multiple areas of high radiodensity compatible with calcifications (arrowed).

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16.23

(ai, bi) Ventrodorsal and (aii, bii) right lateral thoracic radiographs of a guinea pig with pneumonia. (a) On the day of presentation, the lung parenchyma showed high radiodensity. (b) After 15 days of antibiotic treatment, improvement could be clearly seen: the lungs were more radiolucent on both views. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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16.23 (ai, bi) Ventrodorsal and (aii, bii) right lateral thoracic radiographs of a guinea pig with pneumonia. (a) On the day of presentation, the lung parenchyma showed high radiodensity. (b) After 15 days of antibiotic treatment, improvement could be clearly seen: the lungs were more radiolucent on both views.