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Diagnosis: Subclinical Hypovitaminosis C

Lab Animal volume 32, pages 24–25 (2003)Cite this article

Hypovitaminosis C (scurvy) or antibiotic-associated enterotoxemia (caused by an overgrowth of Clostridium difficile) are the major differential diagnoses for a guinea pig with severe lethargy, depression, and diarrhea1,2,3. Additional differential diagnoses include Tyzzer's Disease (Clostridium piliforme), salmonellosis, colibacillosis, coccidia (Eimeria caviae), Bordetella bronchiseptica, malocclusion, heat stress, dehydration, other nutritional deficiencies, and trauma1. We treated the remaining guinea pig (guinea pig #3) with vitamin C (30 mg/kg s.c. daily) and gave it supplemental fluids (Lactated Ringers Solution, 40 ml/kg s.c. daily). We treated the animal for three days with no significant change in condition and found it dead on the fourth day.

We submitted the blood sample collected from the euthanized guinea pig (guinea pig #2) for a complete blood count and a biochemistry panel. The results revealed an increase in the number of nucleated red blood cells and polychromasia, suggesting a regenerative anemia caused by subacute hemorrhage. The leukogram showed an increase in the percentage number of neutrophils without a corresponding left shift, suggesting a chronic inflammatory response. The results of the biochemistry panel were nonspecific. The levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were increased, while creatinine levels were decreased. Because intestinal hemorrhage can cause an increased BUN concentration, we suspected that the hemorrhagic diarrhea seen clinically in this animal caused the elevation. Daily production of creatinine is usually stable and is dependent upon the diet and muscle mass of the animal; anorexia and poor body condition can cause a decrease in creatinine production4.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hickman is the Veterinary Medical Officer for the Research and Development Service at the Portland VA Medical Center.,

    Debra L. Hickman DVM, MS, DACLAM

  2. Wasson is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California at Davis.,

    Katherine Wasson DVM, DACLAM

  3. Ehrhart is a pathologist at Colorado State University.,

    E. J. Ehrhart DVM, PhD, DACVP

Authors
  1. Debra L. Hickman DVM, MS, DACLAM
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  2. Katherine Wasson DVM, DACLAM
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  3. E. J. Ehrhart DVM, PhD, DACVP
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Debra L. Hickman DVM, MS, DACLAM.

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Hickman, D., Wasson, K. & Ehrhart, E. Diagnosis: Subclinical Hypovitaminosis C. Lab Anim 32, 24–25 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban1003-24

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