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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2014 12:12:58 GMT -5
I had a member ask me if Pepe was a Waardenberg ferret. At first I had NO idea what that was, but now that I have read about it more, there is a possibility... Can someone with more than mommy paranoia take a look at these pics and tell me what you think. I have only had him about 4 weeks and haven't 'noticed' that he is deaf, but I feel like babies ignore you when sleeping and running away anyhow. Also, members where mentioning the cuddly factor, that baby is really cuddly. And he was a nipper, he would start to chew your chin if you let him during cuddles, but has cut down on it with scuffing and scolding. Anyhow, here are pics...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2014 12:22:18 GMT -5
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Post by Heather on Mar 14, 2014 12:54:00 GMT -5
I'm sorry...he's adorable  He has a lot of the colouring markers of a waardy and the broad head shape. Being deaf and a ferret isn't a big deal, they're loves just the same. At one time when I first got into rescue it was rare to find a truly deaf ferret....selectively deaf yes. Now, it's so common that many people with multiple ferrets will have a couple of deafies in their business. This is the usual issue with the neural crest disorder or Waardenburgs. They don't have to be deaf, and at this time they don't even have to be exotically marked any more to be deaf. At one time you knew as soon as you had a blaze or a panda your ferret was probably deaf but you were probably safe with a sable. Now it's so ingrained into the breeding system that it doesn't matter anymore. My Boris has a severe case of neural crest, one of the worst I've ever dealt with. He's a sable, no special marks except for milk toes. Don't worry about it, they're our special kids ciao |
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Post by bitbyter on Mar 14, 2014 13:00:23 GMT -5
Yeah, nothing to be paranoid about. Other that a higher incidence of deafness and being a little special in the intelligence department there isn't anything less to love in a waardy. I still think it shameful and unethical for the large mills to actively breed for it but if you have a waardy ferret, just love him for being unique.
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Post by Sherry on Mar 14, 2014 13:26:30 GMT -5
He'll just be more if a spazz  Out of 9, I have 5 WS. One of those is a sable. However- I have 6 deafies. The sable WS is not deaf. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2014 13:34:54 GMT -5
Don't be sorry, he is ADOR-able! We love him! I am all about doing what is best for him (if you read my intro you will know why....) and knowing he is a waary (or not!) would simply allow me to better understand my furr-baby. Thanks for the info. Helpful as always (giggle)
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Post by Sherry on Mar 14, 2014 13:42:36 GMT -5
Think of it as similar to Down's Syndrome, but on a broader spectrum- like Asperger's
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Post by Heather on Mar 14, 2014 14:02:28 GMT -5
Yes, they can also be very smart and canny. Some are just silly goofballs....thinking of Thor, I miss him. Not his inability to figure out what a litter box was but I miss his silliness. On the other end of the spectrum was Attila, my alpha....he didn't become alpha because he was stupid. He ruled when I had 18 ferrets, including Odin (who was intact)but he had every marker, including the broad head, the blaze and deaf as a stump
ciao
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Post by kraesmom on Mar 14, 2014 20:56:36 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure my Avery is a waardy, but aside from having a greater proclivity for chewing toys like tennis balls and crocheted eggs, and being WAY more laid back and sweet, he's not much different. He is not deaf however.
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Post by mjbez on Mar 14, 2014 22:41:40 GMT -5
Think of it as similar to Down's Syndrome, but on a broader spectrum- like Asperger's This is the perfect way to think of it. I have one WS ferret that I am 100% sure of. He is not deaf. But is more cognitively affected. He is slow to learn, sweet as can be, and awkward. Although he is sweet he has a habit of slowly biting feet and toes. He cannot learn not to do this. With an average ferret they at least know that what they are doing is bad (but may do it anyways) where as he seems genuinely confused/surprised when he gets heck daily for doing so. The other one I believe is WS and he is deaf. He is a complete spaz and cannot stop moving for more than 5 seconds. Sweet and has always been gentle though. |
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He has a lot of the colouring markers of a waardy and the broad head shape. Being deaf and a ferret isn't a big deal, they're loves just the same. At one time when I first got into rescue it was rare to find a truly deaf ferret....selectively deaf yes. Now, it's so common that many people with multiple ferrets will have a couple of deafies in their business. This is the usual issue with the neural crest disorder or Waardenburgs. They don't have to be deaf, and at this time they don't even have to be exotically marked any more to be deaf. At one time you knew as soon as you had a blaze or a panda your ferret was probably deaf but you were probably safe with a sable. Now it's so ingrained into the breeding system that it doesn't matter anymore. My Boris has a severe case of neural crest, one of the worst I've ever dealt with. He's a sable, no special marks except for milk toes. Don't worry about it, they're our special kids 
