About Lethal Whites

Caring for a lethal white does prove to be more work and time then a normal guinea pig. You must be prepared to be committed and have the time if you do plan to care for a lethal white. As there has been more breeding and lethal white's being born into the world and some people ending with them and not knowing what to do. I thought i would share some helpful hints. This in no way is encouraging to breed and make lethal whites. This information is to help those who need it. 

Considering lethal whites are born either blind, part blind or with no eyes. It is very important to keep there cage layout exactly the same. So they can easily get around and assess food and water without any issues. Usually lethal whites can be born deaf, partly or something be lucky enough to have there hearing in rare cases. So bare in mind when approaching a lethal white, they may be more startled then a normal guinea pig. As they have sight or hearing like a normal guinea pig. They rely strongly on scent, so you will see a lethal white with there nose in the air quite a bit to get a sense of whats around them. I usually put my hand in front of there nose and let them sniff it first. Then approach them, this way it allows them to know you are there first. 
The next important thing to know about a lethal white is there teeth. All normal guinea pigs have 20 teeth. Firstly lets talk front teeth, better known as incisors. Usually normal guinea pigs are born with two upper and two lower incisors. Meaning they have four front teeth altogether. Lethal whites can be born with all there front teeth, teeth missing or no teeth at all. If they have four to three front teeth they can eat normally. But will still require a vitamin rich and calcium diet. I give my lethal whites that have four to three teeth, a good variety of veggies and crittacare daily as a boost for them. As lethal whites have weak immune systems, weaker bones and there teeth grow much faster then a normal guinea pig. This means they will require there front teeth to be trimmed every two to four weeks as they tend to overgrow and make it harder for them to eat. If they have two front teeth or one front tooth. They can still eat okay, but require there food to be prepared differently and they can struggle to eat food normally due to lack of teeth. I cut up vegetables finer and in smaller pieces so its easier to pick up and eat. As for chaff and pellets, i put them through a blender and grind them down to a finer blend. So once again its easier for them pick it up and eat. I give my lethal whites with two teeth or one tooth a good variety of veggies and crittacare daily as a boost for them. Even with less teeth there teeth still grow much faster then a normal guinea pig and will require there front teeth to be trimmed every two to four weeks as they tend to overgrow and make it harder for them to be able to eat. If they have no front teeth, this is where it requires more time and patience. So they have no front teeth, they struggle to have anything to use to be able to pick up food to eat. So pellets have to be softened down into mush, crittacare feeds must be at least two times a day and vegetables must be blended to a mush as well. Since they have no front teeth, they will not require them to be trimmed regularly. 
Now, lets talk back teeth. Better known as molars. Normally guinea pigs have a pair of upper and lower premolars and three pairs of upper and lower molars. 
As stated lethal whites teeth grow faster then normal guinea pigs. So back teeth checks are a must, the best way to have this done is by a vet. Regular vet checks for back teeth and health checks are a must with lethal whites. 
One of the most important things to know about a lethal white is there health and how to keep it as healthy as it can be for a lethal white. As a lethal white struggles to keep there body temperature and can easily get sick. It is important to make sure they are always kept inside only. Where they can have heat when it is cold or cold when it is hot. Lethal whites can not cope with wood shavings or hay as bedding as they have weaker lungs and struggle with too much dust. This doesnt not mean they shouldnt have hay. I put hay in a corner of the cage, in the same spot everytime. So it can always be located. I find toggle mats vet bed or fleece is the best option of bedding for there cage. 
Lethal whites are also prone head tilt/ neurological. They can be born with it, develop it as they age or be can lucky enough to never develop it. Lethal whites must be kept in a calm environment at all times, to reduce any chances of stress. Lethal whites must be weighed regularly to keep an eye on there weight, as lethal whites struggle to keep weight more then a normal guinea pig. Any signing in weight drop could mean a lethal white is sick or something is wrong. In this situation it should be assessed by a vet as soon as possible. Lethal whites can go downhill extremely fast, as there immune system is weak. They can not fight a sickness as long as a normal guinea pig can.