From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2003-02-12 18:30:07 UTC
Subject: Re: Blaze and deafness ??
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <a05210307ba704300e3a5@[10.0.1.36]>
Yes, they are more prone to deaf offspring, and possibly to other
health problems. In the Complete FHL Archives there are some useful
posts on this topic. My personal favorite is from the geneticist,
Dr. Brett Middleton:
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG3069
One thing that I have noticed is that although I have heard of a few
head-blazes or pandas who had full lifespans (turning at least 7
years old) I have heard only of a very few over the years whereas
such lifespans are the norm for those with more standard markings.
That's not any scientific survey, of course, but it did extend over a
good number of ferrets of friends, so I tend to advise folks to be a
bit more careful with their health and health testing to give them a
better shot at life in case there actually is a difference.