Mis-shapen head..

justinO · 07-23-04, 04:34 PM

We have had two come out like this, and today one was on its side acting all twitchy... it got fed off. The other one (this little boy) seems to be fine so far, but his eyes are not sitting right in his skull (kinda lower down). I still can't get over how big his head is!

now, is this a genetic defect or is this just a freak occurance?

The photo doesnt really show it that much cause the lil booger wouldn't stay still! Trust me, his forehead is huge.

Cheers,
Justin & Jessy

jjaj02 · 07-23-04, 04:37 PM

He kinda looks like a mole to me.........with his long nose. I dunno your guess is as good as mine. He's kinda cute though!

ReneeB · 07-23-04, 05:49 PM

you should keep him, raise him up and see if he grows into his head.. if not feed him off

justinO · 07-23-04, 05:54 PM

yeah, we are planning on keeping him.. his sister unfortunatly had to be whacked today because it went all nuts and was on its side convulsing and stuff. it also had a big head.

I admit, he is cute. we'll see what happens.

thunder · 07-23-04, 05:54 PM

if two happened in the same litter, it could very well be genetic. its not like reptiles where many mutations are caused by incubation issues. i would suspect that the little guy has internal problems, tho. freaky!

Linds · 07-23-04, 06:11 PM

Hmmm... definitely a brain defect of some sort, from the looks of it and what you described his sibling going through. Seizures are no good at all

( or whatever neurological disfunction ). I've never seen any major birth defect like that in rodents. It would be interesting to find out exactly what is happening inside there, and if any other internal organs are deformed. Most defective rodents that have come in to my care were bred by my friend, and are now my pets. Two patchwork hairless dumbos with mismatched eyes... lol

The one has a normal eye and his left eye is the size of a pinhead, the other has one normal eye and his right eye is noticably smaller. Cute little monkeys they are

thunder · 07-23-04, 06:25 PM

hey linds, post pics of those weird rats. your description makes them seem like cartoon characters. i would like to see for myself!
LOL

annieb_mice · 07-23-04, 06:56 PM

It definately sounds genetic. Have you been inbreeding (siblings or parent to offspring?) I'd suggest getting some "outside" blood to add to your breeding colonies.

Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~

justinO · 07-23-04, 07:54 PM

I hope this last one makes it. This is the first time ive ever seen or heard of it.

AnnieB, no, we have not been inbreeding at all, and we've not seen babies come out like this before recently.

Personally, I'm wondering if it is a case of hard labour, and the mother pushing/squeezing too hard and mis-shaping their heads that way???

cheers,

Justin

Linds · 07-24-04, 03:21 PM

Thunder,
Here's a pic of Little Buddy when I first got him as a weanling. I'll snap better pics of all of them once they get in to their "cute phase" (right now they have nearly full coats, it looks so much cuter when they are almost bald or with the patch designs coming through

).

<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/503/22le.jpg">

thunder · 07-24-04, 06:32 PM

thanx for the pic. i dont know if i could have a pet like that, it might creep me out.

Linds · 07-24-04, 08:33 PM

LOL that's exactly what my friend that gave him to me said

Lisa · 07-27-04, 03:30 PM

We have a couple rats with differing eyecolour, one red one black, doesn't seem to affect them any.

justinO · 08-01-04, 01:20 PM

Update:

The little guy is doing well.. for a little while, i wasn't sure if he'd make it, or i'd have to whack him.

he is seperated from the rack, and in a cage with a cagemate for company.. I think i've got a new pet :P

capsicum · 08-02-04, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lisa
We have a couple rats with differing eyecolour, one red one black, doesn't seem to affect them any.

Different eye color has to do with genetics. I will bet that the both have blazes on their foreheads?

TK