I have a guinea pig named Puddin who I have had for around 3 months. I always just assumed he was a short haired guinea pig but I recently found out about Satin guinea pigs along with Satin Guinea Pig Syndrome and I honestly can't figure out if he is one. Please help I am kinda freaked out
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Don't know if he's a Satin
- Thread starter Sammoo101
- Start date
A picture of Puddin
Hi and welcome
Is Puddin your only piggy? It is difficult to judge from a picture because normal healthy piggies also have a sparkle, but just not as much when the light is falling on them. Puddin is very cute, though!
Please be aware that by far not every satin piggy will develop Satin Guinea Pig Syndrome (SGPS), as it is now called; but if they do, then it is sadly incurable and progressive. Symptoms typically manifest around 18 months of age in those affected but in very severe cases can show sooner.
Satins are generally very rare in chain pet shop piggies; they are more a backyard breeder problem. Currently they are a real headache for especially Australian rescues.
You can find a picture with a satin piggy and her normal family (to show the difference) towards the end of our breeds guide with links to more information. Compare the satin piggy pictures with those of plain smooths and you may be able to work out better whether you have got a satin or not. Here is the link: https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...ig-picture-guide-to-common-pet-breeds.121399/
PS: Please always consider same sex company for any single guinea pig. It is by far the most loving gift you can ever make your piggy because guinea pigs are group animals and not wired to be on their own. Looking after single guinea pigs comes with challenges because they will project all their social needs fully onto you; they need as much interaction with you daily for their whole life span to try and fill the 24/7 stimulation and interaction they have with their own kind. How this needs can come out is one of the topics discussed in this guide here: Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
All 4 of my guinea pigs are male and 3 of them including Puddin are together. Puddin was an accidental litter that I found out about on Craigslist. He was rejected by his mom so we have had him since he was 10 days old. He moves around a lot but he also tends to hop around. ( not popcorning ) here is a picture of Puddin with another one of my boys Brownie.
Satins have a really distinctive sheen to their coat in the light... if his coat has roughly the same level of shine as your other pigs, he's likely not a satin. To me their coats look equivalent, but obviously seeing a picture is not the same as seeing them live!
Siikibam
Forum Donator 2022/23
Glad to hear he has company. Just be aware that trio boars rarely work. How old is Puddin and how old are the two boars he lives with? And why is the fourth one living alone?
You’re best off making two pairs rather than having one and a trio.
You’re best off making two pairs rather than having one and a trio.
Puddin ( 3 months ) was originally meant to go in with my guinea pig named Cinnamon ( male 10 months ) but Cinnamon would scratch Puddin to the point of making him bleed. The 2 guinea pigs Puddin is with right now are 3 1/2 years old and have very chill temperaments
Eriathwen
Teenage Guinea Pig
The shine on the white areas, especially in the first picture, does look satin to me. The best and easiest way to tell would be to take him to a vet to have his hair looked at under a microscope, satin piggies guard hairs are hollow which is what gives them the sheen. As an owner of 2 satin carriers with osteodystrophy (and having had 2 satins previously with the disease) finding a good vet now who is up to speed with what may develop with him would be a good idea, that way it will be far easier to get him diagnosed and treated should symptoms appear, because when symptoms start it is already very painful for them.
Unless under natural light though it can be very difficult to tell a satin just using pictures, fingers crossed he isnt, and if he is, that he doesn't develop issues.
Unless under natural light though it can be very difficult to tell a satin just using pictures, fingers crossed he isnt, and if he is, that he doesn't develop issues.
Hi!
He doesn't really look shinier than his companion; but it is difficult to tell from pictures.
Please have him vet checked to see what is going on and to see whether he is a satin or not.
Hopping can be caused by range of other causes, like a sprain/injury to the spine, scurvy (lack of vitamin C), severe pain in the bladder/kidneys or in the penis and very rarely by muscular dystrophy or - without being a satin - by osteodystrophy. Only a hands-on examination by a vet will give you the answers. We can show you possible avenues but we cannot replace a vet visit and any necessary treatment.
Great!