blindness? neurological issue?

[TXFunnyFarm]

I was gifted several TAMU (Texas A&M University) color project rabbits today. They are hybrids, fascinating patterns in lovely coats... BUT 2 of the prettiest does are odd...

I am unsure if they are blind, may have a neurological issue, or are just plain WEIRD. They have small eyes, about 1/2 the size of what looks normal to me. They don't wobble their heads, but there is a definite nose first checking and feeling that preceeds every move. It almost looks jerky as they sniff around.

I am not afraid of culling and have asked for more info from the source program.

If they are blind, I may opt to try a single breeding just to see if its genetic and to see if they can raise a litter.

So.... I'm new here, but not new to rabbits....

Give me thots, suggestions, experience?

Will post pics tomorrow

 

[Zass]

Welcome to RT!

Those pics will definitely help us get a clearer idea as to what is going on with the eyes, and I can't wait to see the color patterns

 

[SuburbanHomesteader]

1) Welcome!!

2) Pics are a MUST! (That kinda goes with everything around here. As they say, pictures are worth a thousand words. And folks on here just love seeing other folks' rabbits and setups and projects and ....

3) When you were given these animals, did any kind of info come with them? Are you able to go back and ask whomever gave you these rabbits what's up with those two does?

4) Since they've got the most interesting patterns and coloring, if you've got the pen space and the time, I'd try breeding them. If it turns out that it appears to be genetic, then I'd certainly not breed them any more - and wouldn't breed any of the offspring.

5) But we'll look forward to the pictures. Once seen, they may give clues as to what's going on. And, once again, Welcome to Rabbit Talk!

 

[Dood]

Very curious :hmm:

I've seen small eyes in puppies that were an accidental mother son mating but never in my rabbits or mice.

The fact the sisters have the same issue makes me think it is hereditary

One breeding might not be enough to prove if it's genetic and if it's recessive then a son to mother or siblings will be necessary

 

[PSFAngoras]

Could it be 'walleye' ? I saw a rex at a breeder I bought from once that had one eye that was a 'walleye'. It looked about half the size of the normal eye, not sure if he was blind in it or not though. I'll see if I can't find a pic in a search real quick of somethig similar. <br /><br /> -- Sat Feb 07, 2015 7:36 am -- <br /><br /> Can't find anything but the walleye fish. Not sure what the technical term of that would be, but the lady I was buying my rex from was a vet, so she should know what she was talking about. If only I knew the scientific term. Not even coming up under 'rabbit genetic eye deformities search. I'll try again later.

 

[Dood]

" microphthalmia"

If both eyes are effected it's called "bilateral microphthalmia"

 

[TXFunnyFarm]

I have not got pics of the two yet, but for your reading pleasure.... this link is to the program, and I'm sending questions to the Dr listed on that page.... the photos does not show the spotted varieties.... but half way down the page you will see "new breed" TAMUK.... the rabbits came from that program, directly from the University barns... only my chocolates have the weird eyes. The tan and grey agoutis, and a black with iridescent sheen look normal.

http://users.tamuk.edu/kfsdl00/rabb.html

 

[Dood]

Here's what they say about the disorder in dogs -

Microphthalmia with multiple defects (ocular dysgenesis) is often seen in dogs with a merle hair coat with excessive amounts of white. The eyes are commonly different colours. Partial deafness may also be part of this syndrome. These dogs are frequently blind.

How is ... inherited?:
In Doberman pinschers and miniature schnauzers, inheritance is autosomal recessive. The mode of inheritance has not been proven for other affected breeds. Microphthalmia with multiple defects (ocular dysgenesis) is a recessive trait in merle Australian shepherds.

from - http://ic.upei.ca/cidd/disorder/microph ... dysgenesis

Are your rabbits that are effected "spotted" as I wonder if it is the discovery of the "Merle gene" in rabbits

 

[TXFunnyFarm]

I am uploading video and will provide a link. Here are the still photos.

****NOTE: I'm NOT proud of how these rabbits LOOK! They are shabby. I only got them yesterday. They are 3 months old. When acquired by the original owner from the TAMU program, they were brown. They shed nearly all the brown and this splotch color is coming thru. The guy that gave them to me is reputable and has great rabbits... so the shedding and issues did not originate from his level of care since weaning. He gave me all his rabbits from this program out of frustration ... "see what you can do with these or find something to feed them to"...

These are the 2 messed up does....

 

[Susie570]

Not seeing any pictures...

 

[TXFunnyFarm]

Newbie mistake! Photos are too large to upload! Will size down after PM chores.

The video is on my farm page, here: https://m.facebook.com/halefunnyfarm

 

[Dood]

OMG :shock: those are some messed up rabbits.

I believe the fur is just a rough shed.

I think the one with the wonky ear is definitely blind and has some mild paralysis in her hind end and as a doe it might lead to complications during labour with muscle contractions.

The other one who repetitively does circles also has something neurologically going on

I didn't really notice small eyes but personally I wouldn't be breeding those two

After seeing the video I am thinking they are this way from environmental factors - maybe over medicated for something or exposed to pesticides :shrug:

 

[akane]

Added some TX A&M specialty hybrid rabbits to the mix today. These rabbits carry crazy color genes that produce leopard spots, stripes, and solids in every color.

Modified ej? They really need to finish shedding out to tell much about their color.

 

[TXFunnyFarm]

Newbie still!!! I cannot get my photos to attach! So please see the FB link.... I promise this is not some attempt on my part to get ya'll to look at my fb page! Invalid file type errors despite jpg, file size too large.... just smh!

Photos of the NICE ones are there, too!

Www.Facebook.com/halefunnyfarm

 

[Zass]

I've seen one blue American fryer with a similar messed up eye, but worse. It was in a cull batch I processed. No idea what the cause was. Due to the small size of the affected eye compered to it's other eye and the eyes if it's siblings, I had assumed it to be a developmental problem. That was just a guess though.

 

[Dood]

Ok

Colour I think is agouti chocolate silver or maybe a self chocolate silver others more familiar with the silver gene from Silver Fox and D'Argents might know. The uneven tone can be from fur falling out and growing in a different shade.

I see an odd formed pupil (dyscoric) which is definitly genetic but also common in Merle animals

 

[Nyctra]

The circling one is like a waltzing mouse. ( http://www.thefunmouse.com/info/waltzing.cfm )
IDK, if I had buns like those two, they'd be buried. Something's too off about them.