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Dalmation Guinea Pigs

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niklovesrats

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Not sure if this has been covered anywhere (I couldnt find anything) Someone told me that dalmation pigs can have health problems and arent normal guinea pigs, my eldest 2 boars I got at the same time and although my dalmation (Badger) is perfectly fine and in great health he is a lot smaller than the other one purchased at the same time (Chocolate) Is it a myth or is there something in it?
 
I think that this refers to f two dalmations or two roans breed thats when you can get the "lethal" pigs - that can be blind / bad teeth - jaw alignment and other health problems and disabilities - I have a roan sow myself - she is fine - its all to do with the roan or dalmation gene if I remember correctly.
 
So my boy should be ok then? Like I said he is perfectly healthy and fit but as he is smaller than the other I thought I would check, thanks for your reply x
 
I have a Dalmatian and he is my biggest! He is absolutely fine and no health problems.

I think as @TAN is right in what you are thinking, that if 2 roams or Dalmatians are bred or one of each bred then you can get lethals which can have many health problems.
 
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@TAN is absolutely right. Dalmation guinea pigs are fine health wise or have no more problems than any other piggy. But they do carry a gene that if bred with another Dalmation piggy can produce babies who are so called 'Lethal whites' who have multiple problems including eye problems, blindness, deafness, dental and internal problems. Many don't survive to adulthood hence the name 'lethal'. I have one mildly affected piggy who has a range of issues.

As long as you don't intend to breed then your piggy should be just fine :)
 
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Your piggies will be absolutely fine and at no more risk of illness than any other pig.

When breeding roan to roan or dalmatian to dalmatian, there is approximately a 1:4 chance of ending up with one or more lethal babies. Sadly, due to potential complex issues, many do not survive for long after birth. However, those who do will have problems to deal with, like being deaf/blind and having potential neurological conditions, but they really are a joy to have and enjoy life to the full! They are always white, with pink eyes (if they have them), but not all pink eyed white pigs are lethal. A roan pig is a pig with any white hair, along with another colour - so you can see how much of a risky business it is.

The Excellent Adventure Sanctuary is home to ten lethal pigs, all of whom have come to us to be close to specialist veterinary care, should it be needed. Below is a picture of the legend that is Captain Darling - as you can see, he has no fully formed eyes and he is deaf/blind. He lives with his brother Igor, who is a normal pig, and a friend Patch. The Captain rules the roost in every way!

Under the Sanctuary's care, we currently have lethal piggies Captain Darling, Sidney, Henry, Stanley, Basil, Albert, Snowdrop, Snowflake, Florence and Mabel. We have had five others - Bill, Ted, Edith, Walter and Tweedledee, who have now all passed away.

You can read more here: Cavy Angel's Guinea Pig Rescue

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