From:
rhone@coam.net
Date: 2001-04-26 12:10:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Bob C: Albinism, Depigmentation, and Domestication
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., RRC <rrc961@m...> wrote:
[snip]
(Note: we will never know exactly
> HOW much hearing loss is present in ferrets because we only test
for the
> presence or absence of hearing, not for the degree of diminished
> hearing. Thus it is probable hearing disorders are far more common
than
> generally perceived).
Wonderful article, Bob; thank you. One question regarding the
quote above. Wouldn't it be possible to do threshold testing on
ferrets to determine their range of hearing, establish a baseline,
and thus be able to diagnose hearing dysfunctions? I know sensory
threshholds have been mapped out for other non-human animals. While
trying to get ferrets to cooperate in a psych lab may prove to be
trying on the patience of the researcher <G>, I don't see why it
couldn't be done. Then, more detailed qualitative analysis of
Waardesburg-linked deafness could be undertaken.
Animal sensory/perception is a personal interest of mine; but I
shudder to think what my fuzzies would to me if I stuck them in a
Skinner box...
--Rhone