From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-11-12 17:05:09 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Genetics
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
> Naturally thrown BEWs are quite healthy but now breeders have found out how
> to breed for them they end up with a lot of silvers(sterlings?) that get
> passed on. I ended up with 3 from this type of stock and only one Jill has
> remained healthy, she turned 6 this year. Most of the original kits produced
> in the early 90s did not make their third year. Chris.
Also noted with that pelage have been small litter sizes and high infant mortality on top of the reduced fitness. The text on the book shelves is _Ferret Husbandry, Medicine and Surgery_ from 2000.
BTW, there is also a little genetics stuff in the Fox text, _Biology and Diseases of the Ferret_. Since then there are further albino eye limitation (in peripheral field of vision, motion sighting, and more) studies that PubMed is better for finding.
The best time that I recall a breeders being marvelously forthright. (There have been some others but this breeder was thorough and released all information fully.) This was a breeder who would up with ferrets that looked like their pelage was patchwork, and it was non-bilateral. Now, marked non-bilateral head markings are related genetically to Aortic Arch defects, and that has been known for a range of mammals since I guess something like the late 80s or possibly before. Her ferrets with these markings seemed robust but then began dying suddenly in their primes (unfortunately, after being bred). Investigation found multiple cardiovascular defects that pretty well timed out. The breeder not only told those who had purchased those ferrets, but so that anyone else could avoid the same problem came forth and told the ferret community. It was a wonderful kindness to provide at a very painful time, a true gift to the ferret community. Few people ever in life show that much class. The ferrets were neutered and pampered during what little time they had in this world.
That sort of sharing is, of course, something which can spare suffering for ferrets. Genetic medical problems are important. Over time I think they will be treated that way more and more. (Yeah, I know, one of my personal hot buttons...)
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