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Diagnostic procedures
/content/chapter/10.22233/9781910443903.chap5
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Diagnostic procedures
- Author: Sasha Herbert
- From: BSAVA Manual of Guinea Pigs
- Item: Chapter 5, pp 40 - 52
- DOI: 10.22233/9781910443903.5
- Copyright: © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
- Publication Date: January 2026
This chapter covers the adaptation of familiar techniques of sample collection for guinea pigs and explains the anatomical and behavioural peculiarities in the guinea pig that may alter the approach to preparation of patients and choice of equipment. Step-by-step guides to the collection of blood, urine, respiratory tract, ocular, dermatological and lymph node samples are followed by a comprehensive guide to choosing the appropriate diagnostic procedure.
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/content/chapter/10.22233/9781910443903.chap5
Figures
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5.1
Veins suitable for venepuncture in the guinea pig. (a) Saphenous (arrowed) and metatarsal (arrowhead) veins. (b) Cephalic vein (arrowed). © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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5.1
Veins suitable for venepuncture in the guinea pig. (a) Saphenous (arrowed) and metatarsal (arrowhead) veins. (b) Cephalic vein (arrowed).
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5.3
Needle hub with capillary tube prepared for blood sampling. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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5.3
Needle hub with capillary tube prepared for blood sampling.
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5.4
(a) Cranial vena cava anatomy in the guinea pig. (b) The approach to alternative vessels for blood sampling, with the animal in dorsal recumbency. Needle position 1 shows sampling from the right jugular vein; needle position 2 shows sampling from the vena cava, as approached from the animal’s right hand-side, with the needle held at 30 degrees to horizontal and directed towards the opposite hip; needle position 3 shows sampling from the vena cava, as approached from the animal’s left-hand side, with the needle held at 30 degrees to horizontal and directed towards the opposite hip.
(a, Reproduced from the BSAVA Manual of Rodents and Ferrets, © Vittorio Capello)
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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5.4
(a) Cranial vena cava anatomy in the guinea pig. (b) The approach to alternative vessels for blood sampling, with the animal in dorsal recumbency. Needle position 1 shows sampling from the right jugular vein; needle position 2 shows sampling from the vena cava, as approached from the animal’s right hand-side, with the needle held at 30 degrees to horizontal and directed towards the opposite hip; needle position 3 shows sampling from the vena cava, as approached from the animal’s left-hand side, with the needle held at 30 degrees to horizontal and directed towards the opposite hip.
(a, Reproduced from the BSAVA Manual of Rodents and Ferrets, © Vittorio Capello)
Drawn by S.J. Elmhurst BA Hons (www.livingart.org.uk) and reproduced with her permission.
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5.6
Excisional biopsy of a melanoma from the lower eyelid of a Bryant guinea pig. (a) Before removal of the lesion. (b) After removal. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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5.6
Excisional biopsy of a melanoma from the lower eyelid of a Bryant guinea pig. (a) Before removal of the lesion. (b) After removal.
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Video 5.1
Skin scraping technique. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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Video 5.1
Skin scraping technique.
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5.8
(a, b) Technique for taking scrapings from a skin lesion. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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5.8
(a, b) Technique for taking scrapings from a skin lesion.
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5.9
Microscopic appearance of a Trixacarus caviae mite (original magnification X40). © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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5.9
Microscopic appearance of a Trixacarus caviae mite (original magnification X40).
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5.10
(a) Material removed from a follicular cyst. (b) Aspiration of an intradermal mass on the left paralumbar fossa, using a 22 G needle. © 2026 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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5.10
(a) Material removed from a follicular cyst. (b) Aspiration of an intradermal mass on the left paralumbar fossa, using a 22 G needle.
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Skin scraping technique
Video illustrationg skin scraping technique