Enzootic Cervical Lymphadenitis: This is a suppurative disease seen
with some frequency in guinea pig colonies. The causative organism is the
Lancefield Type C, Beta hemolytic streptococcus (Fraunfelter, Schmidt,
Beattie et al. 1971).
The disease is manifested clinically as bilateral swellings or discharging
lesions, either under the jaw or in the neck region. There is abscessation
of the affected lymph nodes and usually, but not always, a severe
debilitation of the affected animals. Cervical lymphadenitis frequently runs
an acute course with fatal termination, particularly in young animals.
Peritonitis, focal hepatic necrosis, purulent otitis media, fibrinous
pericarditis and pleuropneumonia may occur as sequelae to the acute
disease. The organism gains entrance to the body through breaks in the
oral mucosa and some enzootics have been attributed to oral injuries
during the ingestion of hay. Animals exhibiting the disease should be
removed and either destroyed or treated separately. Both the affected
animals and their penmates may be treated with an appropriate antibiotic.