Satin Guinea Pig

[Peggy&Pearl]

I recently acquired a Rex guinea pig that you can definitely see some satin in it especially when it is in the sun. A friend of mine is a guinea pig groomer and she agrees that it has some satin in it.
I have done some research online but keep finding mixed and contradictory information. I have some questions relating to Satins - What percentage of satins get sick with osteodystrophy (OD)? If they haven't shown sign of OD by 2 years old, can they still develop it later in life? If they only have a little bit of shine are they less likely to get sick compared to a guinea pig that is completely shiny? Thank you for your help

 

[Eriathwen]

I would honestly have your piggies hair checked under a microscope, satin hairs are hollow. A lot of healthy guinea pigs naturally have a shine to them, uploading a picture may help however it can be difficult to tell via picture.

To answer your immediate questions, 100% of satins will have OD, there's no way of knowing what percentage actually express symptoms however, sadly. But in studies done, even 'healthy' asymptomatic satins showed issues with the kidneys upon post mortem.

My 2 satin carriers began showing symptoms at 2.5 years and 3.5 years so yes, they can still develop symptoms later in life, age of onset and severity of symptoms varies wildly from each individual.

Satins are completely shiny, if they're not, then they aren't a satin. Piggies carrying but not expressing the gene (satin carriers) look like a regular non satin guinea pig, they don't express any extra shine that gives them away. They do however run the same risk of developing Osteodystrophy.

I hope that helps

 

[Swissgreys]

I once had a vet ask if one of my pigs was a satin because he was so incredibly shiny.
Turns out he just had a very beautiful coat, so this is not a reliable way to tell.
I would pop along and ask your vet to do a quick check.

 

[Peggy&Pearl]

I would honestly have your piggies hair checked under a microscope, satin hairs are hollow. A lot of healthy guinea pigs naturally have a shine to them, uploading a picture may help however it can be difficult to tell via picture.

To answer your immediate questions, 100% of satins will have OD, there's no way of knowing what percentage actually express symptoms however, sadly. But in studies done, even 'healthy' asymptomatic satins showed issues with the kidneys upon post mortem.

My 2 satin carriers began showing symptoms at 2.5 years and 3.5 years so yes, they can still develop symptoms later in life, age of onset and severity of symptoms varies wildly from each individual.

Satins are completely shiny, if they're not, then they aren't a satin. Piggies carrying but not expressing the gene (satin carriers) look like a regular non satin guinea pig, they don't express any extra shine that gives them away. They do however run the same risk of developing Osteodystrophy.

I hope that helps

Thanks so much for all your information - I really appreciate it. Hopefully she isn't a satin. I have uploaded 2 photos which aren't the best but you can see some of the shine I was referring to.

 

[Peggy&Pearl]

I once had a vet ask if one of my pigs was a satin because he was so incredibly shiny.
Turns out he just had a very beautiful coat, so this is not a reliable way to tell.
I would pop along and ask your vet to do a quick check.

Thank you for sharing your experience, I really appreciate it. I have posted some photos of the guinea pig above

 

[Peggy&Pearl]

I would honestly have your piggies hair checked under a microscope, satin hairs are hollow. A lot of healthy guinea pigs naturally have a shine to them, uploading a picture may help however it can be difficult to tell via picture.

To answer your immediate questions, 100% of satins will have OD, there's no way of knowing what percentage actually express symptoms however, sadly. But in studies done, even 'healthy' asymptomatic satins showed issues with the kidneys upon post mortem.

My 2 satin carriers began showing symptoms at 2.5 years and 3.5 years so yes, they can still develop symptoms later in life, age of onset and severity of symptoms varies wildly from each individual.

Satins are completely shiny, if they're not, then they aren't a satin. Piggies carrying but not expressing the gene (satin carriers) look like a regular non satin guinea pig, they don't express any extra shine that gives them away. They do however run the same risk of developing Osteodystrophy.

I hope that helps

Thank you for sharing your experience, I really appreciate it. I have posted some photos of the guinea pig above

 

[Peggy&Pearl]

Thank you for sharing your experience, I really appreciate it. I have posted some photos of the guinea pig above

 

[Eriathwen]

Looking at those pictures I'd say that's just a nice healthy shine rather than satin. Pictures taken in natural light really make satins glow so he would be much shinier if he were.