From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-04-17 19:39:00 UTC
Subject: Re: New girl in town
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Rosalie Yudelson <rosalie5h2o@e...>
wrote:
>
> Hello All!!!
> Most guys bring their wives candy or flowers...well, my husband
brings me a
> ferret!!!!(Did I mention here he is a very cool guy?)
> She makes number 5 for us, she is a very large albino-He was told
that she
> is 16 weeks old-I have a hard time believing this b/c she is so
HUGE!!!! My
> question is-does albinism predipose her to any conditions,
congenital or
> otherwise? Also, one of my friends has an albino female as well and
says
> that she is also quite large-is this indiginous to albinos or just
> chance????
Dear Rosalie - There are large albinos as well as small albinos.
However, albinism is a congenital defect in itself, due to the
defective migration of pigment, which never makes it to the hair
follicles or the iris. This is the normal albino state. However,
many cells which also require pigment migration may be effected. The
most common noticeable defect is deafness, either partial, or
complete. Pigmented cells are required for proper development of the
inner ear, and if these cells do not migrate properly, then hearing
is impaired.
Otherwise, albinos can be very healthy animals.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM