Chronic Fluorosis in the Guinea-pig

Abstract

DEATHS often reaching epidemic proportion occurred in at least eight major guinea-pig breeding units in Sydney and Canberra during 1964 and early 1965. Affected animals were characterized by loss of weight, depression, inappetence, a marked slobbering causing saturation and often excoriation of the chin, neck and venter, and ultimate death. All ages were affected, but newly-weaned animals and pregnant or post-parturient females appeared especially susceptible. Decrease in weight was evident for 1 to several weeks until increasing loss of fluid from the oral cavity presaged death within 5–20 days.