Posted by rachael on March 14, 2003 at 18:22:56:
In Reply to: breeding blind mice posted by Animalaholic on March 13, 2003 at 22:44:41:
It depends on why the mouse is blind. If it is a hereditary disease then no, don't breed it as it may be passed on (or would at least be carried). If it was an accident of some sort when it was young I would be strongly suspicious of the source and hesitant to breed a mouse from a place that managed to blind a mouse.
However, eyesight isn't really used that much in mice so it shouldn't effect the general quality of life of the blinded mouse. I can't think of any diseases that cause it in mice, either, so it shouldn't be an issue. Deafness is another thing though, there are several hereditary conditions that can cause deafness, as well as diseases, and it would depend entirely on the cause of deafness as to whether or not it would be acceptable to breed that mouse.
:I was just wondering is it ok to breed a blind mouse, if the mouse was perfectly healthy otherwise? I don't have any blind mice, but i was just curious, in case i ever find myself in that situation. I don't breed show mice, just pet mice.
:The babies wouldn't be born blind, would they?
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