Guinea pigs and humans are two of only a handful of species in the world to-day whose bodies cannot manufacture Vitamin C. Consequently, they have to obtain Vitamin C from their diet in order to survive.

"Daisy" the guinea pig was brought to me by her owners from another veterinary practice because of my specialist interests in small mammals. "Daisy's" problem however was not related to Vitamin C deficiency but yet another very interesting condition which is found in both Guinea pigs and humans.

Her owners had become aware that she was starting to become bald as well as developing a swollen tummy. She was scanned and diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. A well recognised condition in Guinea pigs; it is also the most common endocrine disorder in women in the UK.

Treatment of Daisy by drainage and medication had proved unsuccessful and so removal of the cystic ovaries was the only remaining option. Surgery of these small mammals is never an easy undertaking with haemorrhage and hypothermia proving much greater considerations than normal.

Despite the risks I was able to successfully extract the cystic ovaries which were so large (3" in diameter) that they had to be drained to facilitate their surgical removal. After a brief stay in our incubator "Daisy" was discharged and is now hoping her coat will regrow to its full extent before the onset of winter!