From:
DaneeDV@aol.com
Date: 2003-02-14 19:42:09 UTC
Subject: Re: Blaze and deafness ??
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <f7.28981544.2b7ea091@aol.com>
Author wrote:
> 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.
My 2 ferrets that lived the longest were a blaze and a panda. Midget, a
cinnamon panda lived to be 8 1/2, and was very healthy all her life, despite
having ECE when she was 5. Sassy, a sable blaze lived to be 9, and her only
problem was that she developed an insulinoma during the last year of her
life. Both these girls had the ruby colored eyes, although neither were
deaf. They were both from litters where neither parent was a blaze or panda,
also.
Currently, I have 2 5 year old DEWs that were black pandas until they were 3.
The male does have hearing problems, but the female hears just fine. The
father of these was a blaze that we eventually learned was deaf. Both are
very healthy, despite the fact the male is ADV+.
I do agree that breeding to produce blazes and pandas is probably not a good
idea. Also, using a ferret that is known to be deaf as a breeder is not
good. However, my experience is that when a blaze or panda occurs from a
breed between 2 non-blaze/panda parents, the ferret usually is healthy.
Danee
ADV - If your ferret hasn't been tested, you don't know!
For more information visit: <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/russiansmom">http://www.geocities.com/russiansmom</A>