Dental Disease and Periodontitis in a Guinea Pig (Cavia porcellus)

A 6-year-old intact male guinea pig was referred with a 5-day history of reduced food intake and weight loss. Incisor teeth were clipped with nail clippers at another veterinary clinic 4 days earlier. Owing to a poor prognosis and the health status of the animal, the owner elected for euthanasia. Based on the postmortem results of the oral cavity examination, micro–computed tomography analysis, bacteriology, and histopathology, iatrogenic incisor malocclusion, incisor enamel fractures, dental disease, hepatic lipidosis, chronic purulent gingivitis/periodontitis caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum and Prevotella buccae, and dental caries were determined to be the final, postmortem diagnoses. Patients with acquired dental disease should be screened carefully for periodontitis, as periodontal disease is progressive in nature and early detection, diagnosis, and treatment are essential.