Satins?

[PremierPig]

There is a new Exotic pet vet in our practice and she wanted to see Spotty-pig as she is half-way through a course of medication. I always take both pigs when we go to the vets for company and their bond. So the vet gave both a check-up while we were there.

When she saw Caramel she said that she thought she was a satin (or at least partially one). She has a very glossy, soft coat. She said that they can experience joint and bones issues as they get older. I wondered if anyone had any experience of this, and what the likely-hood of this happening are? It was the first that I had heard of it.

Having looked into a bit and seen the photos, she isn't as high gloss as some of the ones I've seen online, but she does have much softer and finer fur than her sister.

 

[VickiA]

Sadly there is quite a lot of experience in the UK of Osteodystrophy (OD) or satin Guinea pig disease (SGPD). If you use the search bar at the top right of the page you will see posts where it has been discussed. I will find some links for you.

 

[VickiA]

https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...ig-picture-guide-to-common-pet-breeds.121399/

OD/ Satins Disease

PSA: My Beloved Satin and Osteodystrophy

 

[PremierPig]

Thank you @VickiA. I'd never even heard of this before. One more list of concerns for my constantly-sick piggies...

 

[Wiebke]

There is a new Exotic pet vet in our practice and she wanted to see Spotty-pig as she is half-way through a course of medication. I always take both pigs when we go to the vets for company and their bond. So the vet gave both a check-up while we were there.

When she saw Caramel she said that she thought she was a satin (or at least partially one). She has a very glossy, soft coat. She said that they can experience joint and bones issues as they get older. I wondered if anyone had any experience of this, and what the likely-hood of this happening are? It was the first that I had heard of it.

Having looked into a bit and seen the photos, she isn't as high gloss as some of the ones I've seen online, but she does have much softer and finer fur than her sister.

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Hi!

Satins thankfully make into the pet gene pool not so very often. Not all satin gene carriers will actually develop SGPS (satin guinea pig syndrome or fibrous osteodystrophy/OD disease), which is in incurable, progressive and painful condition that affects far more than just the bones. It can jump several generations but it cannot be bred out of the satin gene. By now, it has made the jump into the wider population; there has been an increase in 'normal' piggies diagnosed with it in recent years; especially in Australia. The onset is typically around 18 months but in extreme cases it can be earlier.

There is more information on satins and satin disease in our breeds guide in the last chapter with the specialist breeds: What-breed-is-my-guinea-pig? Picture-guide-to-common-pet-breeds

 

[PremierPig]

Thanks @Wiebke - having seem the photos I'm not convinced she is, but the vet has said that she will keep checking her mobility whenever she comes in just in case.

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks @Wiebke - having seem the photos I'm not convinced she is, but the vet has said that she will keep checking her mobility whenever she comes in just in case.

Hopefully she isn't! It is very difficult to identify a satin from a picture unless you have other piggies with them.