Ear disease

Charly Pignon; Laetitia Volait-Rosset

doi:10.22233/9781910443903.21

Ear disease

British Small Animal Veterinary Association , e25 (2026); https://doi.org/10.22233/9781910443903.21

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Ear disease

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Authors: Charly Pignon and Laetitia Volait-Rosset
From: BSAVA Manual of Guinea Pigs
Item: Chapter 21, pp 257 - 263
DOI: 10.22233/9781910443903.21
Copyright: © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
Publication Date: January 2026

Guinea pigs have been the subject of numerous otological studies because of the resemblance of their auditory system to that of humans and because they are rather easy to handle. The popularity of the guinea pig as a pet has led to more recent research conducted in clinical practice environments. Bacterial otitis represents the vast majority of disorders of the auditory system in guinea pigs. This chapter presents the anatomy and physiology of guinea pig ears and details the diagnosis and treatment of otitis externa, media and interna. Purchase of this chapter also includes access to Chapter 12, which covers ear surgery.

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Figures

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21.1

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21.1 External anatomy of the ear of the guinea pig. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

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21.2

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21.2 Vascularization of the tympanic bulla in the guinea pig. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

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21.3

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21.3 Selected ear musculature in the guinea pig. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

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21.4

(a) Lateral and (b) medial aspects of the tympanic bulla in the guinea pig. 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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21.4 (a) Lateral and (b) medial aspects of the tympanic bulla in the guinea pig. Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.

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21.5

Bacterial otitis externa in a guinea pig. This image was obtained with a 0 degree 1.9 mm x 10 cm endoscope. The ear canal is filled with pus and the epithelial lining of the ear canal is severely inflamed. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA) © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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21.5 Bacterial otitis externa in a guinea pig. This image was obtained with a 0 degree 1.9 mm x 10 cm endoscope. The ear canal is filled with pus and the epithelial lining of the ear canal is severely inflamed. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA)

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21.6

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21.6 Left facial paralysis in a guinea pig with otitis media of the left ear. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA)

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21.7

Dorsoventral radiograph of a guinea pig skull. The right tympanic bulla appears deformed and enlarged in comparison to the left tympanic bulla, which is a radiographic sign of otitis media. (Courtesy of the Diagnostic Imaging Service, EnvA) © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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21.7 Dorsoventral radiograph of a guinea pig skull. The right tympanic bulla appears deformed and enlarged in comparison to the left tympanic bulla, which is a radiographic sign of otitis media. (Courtesy of the Diagnostic Imaging Service, EnvA)

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21.8

Transverse plane CT image of the skull of a guinea pig, displayed using a bone window. The left tympanic bulla is filled with pus. The right tympanic bulla is thickened and partially filled with pus. These radiographic signs are typical of bilateral otitis media. (Courtesy of the Diagnostic Imaging Service, EnvA) © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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21.8 Transverse plane CT image of the skull of a guinea pig, displayed using a bone window. The left tympanic bulla is filled with pus. The right tympanic bulla is thickened and partially filled with pus. These radiographic signs are typical of bilateral otitis media. (Courtesy of the Diagnostic Imaging Service, EnvA)

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21.9

Left lateral three-dimensional CT reconstruction of the skull of a guinea pig, using a bone window. Severe osteolysis of the tympanic bulla (light blue arrow) and of the temporal bone (white arrow) is visible. (Courtesy of the Diagnostic Imaging Service, EnvA) © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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21.9 Left lateral three-dimensional CT reconstruction of the skull of a guinea pig, using a bone window. Severe osteolysis of the tympanic bulla (light blue arrow) and of the temporal bone (white arrow) is visible. (Courtesy of the Diagnostic Imaging Service, EnvA)

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21.10

A guinea pig with a 30 degree head tilt associated with left vestibular syndrome. The animal was diagnosed with left-sided otitis media and interna. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA) © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association

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21.10 A guinea pig with a 30 degree head tilt associated with left vestibular syndrome. The animal was diagnosed with left-sided otitis media and interna. (Courtesy of the Exotics Service, EnvA)