Which condition may cause enterotoxemia in guinea pigs?

• A. A change of diet
• B. Treatment with antibiotics
• C. Stress
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Enterotoxemia in guinea pigs happens when the gut’s normal microbial balance is disrupted and toxin-producing bacteria proliferate in the intestines. Guinea pigs rely on a stable hindgut microbial community, so anything that perturbs that balance can set the stage for toxin formation. A sudden change in diet alters the substrate available to microbes and shifts populations, potentially boosting toxin producers. Using antibiotics can wipe out beneficial gut bacteria, creating space for harmful organisms to overgrow and release toxins. Stress can affect gut motility, secretions, and immune defenses, further destabilizing the microbiome and promoting dysbiosis. Because each of these factors can disturb the intestinal ecosystem and lead to toxin production, all of these conditions may predispose a guinea pig to enterotoxemia.