Dental disease and ileus in guinea pigs
Tracks
Stream Three - Plaza P3 & P4
| Thursday, March 26, 2026 |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
| Plaza P3 & P4 |
Overview
Iffy Glendinning
Speaker
Iffy Glendinning
UQ Vets Small Animal Hospital
Dental disease and ileus in guinea pigs
Abstract
Small exotic mammals have become increasingly popular pets, with approximately 614,000 small mammals owned and loved by Australians in 2019. Among that number are many guinea pigs who, at some stage in their lives, will require a visit to the vet. Of the various diseases guinea pigs are susceptible to, their unique dental structure and continuously growing teeth make them profoundly predisposed to dental disease. The aetiology, presenting signs and treatment options are multifactorial and must be tailored to the individual guinea pig and their specific health status. The veterinary nurse or technologist plays a major role in triage, diagnostic modalities, treatment options, client education and positive preventative action. This lecture will review and describe guinea pig dental anatomy, clinical signs of dental disease, treatment protocols and the prevention and treatment of ileus as a common secondary complication.
Biography
Iffy’s love of avian and exotics began with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Zoology and Marine Biology from James Cook University, and continued to grow with a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology from the University of Queensland. Iffy has completed an internship in emergency and critical care, a clinical honours in avian and exotics, a diploma in advanced avian nursing, and is currently the avian and exotics veterinary technologist at UQ Vets Small Animal Hospital where she's had the pleasure of working for the past 6 years.
Over the years, Iffy has published a thesis and several peer reviewed journal articles. She teaches into the Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Bachelor of Veterinary Technology degrees at UQ, contributing towards future generations of vets and techs being able to confidently and competently treat avian, exotic and wildlife patients. Iffy has been the humble recipient of the 2022 VNCA Best Case Report and the 2024 Exotics Vet Nurse Excellence Award, and her areas of interest are avian and exotics anaesthesia, wildlife rehabilitation and palliative care.
Iffy is also chair of the AVNAT Regulatory Council, advocating for registration and professional recognition of veterinary nurses and technologists nationally, and founder and director of a registered non-profit guinea pig rescue specialising in palliative care. She shares her home with guinea pigs, parrots, pigeons, fish, a snake, a two dogs.
