Archive Case #111: Guinea Pig Scurvy

Clinical Clues

1. A small herbivore is brought in for lethargy, painful movement, and poor appetite.
2. The diet has relied heavily on pellets and seed treats with little fresh produce.
3. Handling is resented because multiple joints are painful.
4. The gums bleed easily during oral examination.
5. This species needs dietary vitamin C because it cannot synthesize enough of its own.
6. Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy in guinea pigs.

Diagnosis

Guinea Pig Scurvy

This case is most consistent with Guinea Pig Scurvy because the patient has painful joints, gingival bleeding, and a vitamin C deficient diet. The most important clues are the species-specific nutritional requirement and hemorrhagic signs, which make simple arthritis less likely.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.