From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2004-08-26 19:29:11 UTC
Subject: RE: Panda ferrets
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7279830.1093548551251.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Well, actually, I'm to blame for first mentioning Waardensburg a greeat many years ago in relation to these ferrets, but since then geneticist Brett Middleton has said that a different neural crest genetic medical disorder in the same grouping may be more likley for most. That other one is Kit, which is also an oncogene. So, ferrets with such markings DO have at least one neural crest genetic variation or variations, but the type is not specifically known.
In answer to your question: YES, some of the neural crest medical disorders DO involve intestinal mutations that sometimes can cause trouble.
These disorders have what is called "variable expression" which means that the expression of the genes involved can vary across generations. That has led to some breeders thinking that they had healthy lines only to find that they then had other generatios with very serious problems. Also, due to demand for these markings and due to higher prices demanded by breeders the proportion in the population of these genetics has incresed so that makes it far harder to get a ferret who doesn't have at least some of this in the U.S. (Originally private breeders and one of the smaller farms bred them preferentially, then way to many breeders of all sized did that, many private breeders know better than to breed them though some still do.)
The ferrets in question have ONE or more of these features for quick spotting (when the genetics isn't hidden by variable expression which can happen):
1. sometimes they have widely spaced eyes
2. sometimes they have mandibular malformations
3. Sometimes throughout life they have spotting (If they have mitts of bibbs these are ones with uneven margins or are incomplete. The ferrets who have complete and cleanly margined bibs and mitts without extra spotting have a different genetic cause and that one does not appear to have any related problems)
4. Sometimes they have white heads throughout life (panda -- more likley to have hearing loss than blazes)
5. sometimes they have white blazes on the forehead or over the head throughout life
A white ferret can HIDE these markings simply because it is white, and some ferrets with these genetics do not get the markings.
I'll continue this is a second post because this will soon be too large to go through on the site.
Author wrote:
> I have a question concerning deaf panda ferrets. I know they have the gene
> waldenburg (I am not sure if I spelled that right), how much does this gene
> contribute to genetic defects?
> When all was said a done it was believed that Sidney may have had a genetic
> defect in her intestinal area that could have contributed to her death.
> Is any one familiar to this?
> Julie