Foreign body cystitis in a male guinea pig due to a sedge ( Carex species) leaf

Abstract

A foreign body cystitis in a 1.5‐year‐old male guinea pig with treatment‐resistant stranguria and haematuria was diagnosed by ultrasonographic examination. A sedge leaf ( Carex species) was identified as the causing agent by sequencing of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS1) and a chloroplast marker (trnL‐trnF) from the leaf obtained on postmortem examination. The eventual mechanism of migration of the plant leaf into the bladder was investigated. A concomitant fungal lower urinary tract infection with Candida albicans was diagnosed by cultural means and DNA sequencing. Firm granules composed of inflammatory secretions blocked the urethra and interfered with diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of foreign body cystitis in a small rodent, which should be on the differential list of therapy‐resistant lower urinary tract disease in guinea pigs.