Skinny pig
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A "Skinny" Pig is a hairless and immunodeficient breed of Guinea pig. Skinny pigs typically have hair on their paws and at the crowns of their heads, but are nude over the remainder of their bodies. The modern skinny pig breed was the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation in inbred laboratory strains from Hartley stock at the Eastman Kodak Company in 1979, and henceforth was deliberately reproduced by Charles River Laboratories in a strain that had an intact thymus.[1] It is unclear which laboratory strains became the foundation of the pet skinny pigs now common among owners and breeders.
[edit] Unique traits
Hairless guinea pigs are more prone to illness than regular haired guinea pigs, and early strains mostly died within the first week due to a deficiency of gamma globulins and no visible thymus.[2] Skin cancer, upper respiratory infections, and internal problems are all extremely common. Their sensitive skin has very much the same appearance and needs as human skin. Hairless pigs should never be left in the sun for very long, as they can get burns. Even if never exposed to direct sunlight, they can develop melanoma[3]. They can easily catch upper respiratory infections much faster and so if taken outside they should have a blanket or towel to hide in. Skinny Pigs can come in a variety of colours and patterns; some look like other breeds of Guinea Pig such as Dutch, Tortoiseshell, Himalayan and many others. The most important factor in the health of skinny pigs is warmth, they can not live outside in a hutch or in a shed or garage unless it was constantly heated. In common with all guinea pigs, but perhaps more so, skinny pigs are sensitive to drafts and sudden shifts in temperature.
