Importance of genotyping in guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) skinny pig

Abstract

This report presents the care of a female guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) skinny pig with suspected pregnancy shortly after been acquired as a pet. On the twentieth day of suspected pregnancy, an abdominal radiograph was performed, but no fetuses were seen. On the same day, the ultrasound exam confirmed the hypothesis in question. In the last days before birth, there were signs of breast enlargement and two fetuses were counted by radiographic control. Five days after the last exam, the female gave birth to two pups, a skinny pig guinea pig and another guinea pig completely covered in fur. The report highlights the demand for genotyping in animals due to the presence of dominant and recessive genes in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus).