Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Talk About It
This week, like most other weeks, I got an email from someone with a problem with one of their rabbits. It wasn't a bad problem. In fact, it was quite common and easily fixed. But she asked me not to mention her situation to anyone in her area. She was afraid that her rabbitry would be fingered as "unclean."
I know a vet who was interested in doing a study of split penises. He wanted to collect data from rabbitries to see how much is genetics and how much is environmental (e.g., diet). It's a great idea, but last I heard, folks weren't lining up to confess about all of the split penises in their lines.
I know a different vet who is interested in investigating the issue of deviated spines. I think that many judges are totally unaware of the issue and maybe a couple are hyper-aware. But what we are missing is some hard science to help us know what is what. Again, how many people are going to be willing to admit that they've had a spinal deviation in their lines?
The only way things will change is if we all admit that things crop up in every line of rabbits - especially if you breed tightly, but even if you don't. Now I'm not suggesting that we let poor sanitation and bad husbandry practices slide, but playing genetic holier-than-thou games doesn't serve anyone in the long run.
When people are afraid to talk about health, genetic, and husbandry issues, they have a very difficult time getting the information they need. They may not find the simple solution to their problem, may not take a serious problem as seriously, or may make a mountain out of a mole hill.
And if we can't talk about situations, how are we to find out what worked well for someone or which plan is best? How can we double check one judge's opinion or ferret out the meaning of an occurence in the barn?
If you live in the District 9 area and have a rabbit with a deviated spine (or suspected deviation), think about whether you are willing to participate in a confidential study. Email me and I can put you in touch with the vet interested in evaluating rabbits. He plans to x-ray the spines. Rabbits must be sedated for this x-ray, so participants will be required to sign a waiver of liability, since there is always a risk when rabbits are sedated.
I'm hoping to see the information about spinal deviation presented in Kentucky when Convention comes that way. But it won't happen if folks aren't brave enough to step forward and participate.
Our culture of secrecy isn't going to change overnight. But if each of us thinks about the issue, refrains from finger pointing, and finds someone we trust to talk about issue with, maybe some day things will change. There are already a few people who are quite frank about genetic issues. It's a breath of fresh air when you run into one of those.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 10:00 AM
I know a vet who was interested in doing a study of split penises. He wanted to collect data from rabbitries to see how much is genetics and how much is environmental (e.g., diet). It's a great idea, but last I heard, folks weren't lining up to confess about all of the split penises in their lines.
I know a different vet who is interested in investigating the issue of deviated spines. I think that many judges are totally unaware of the issue and maybe a couple are hyper-aware. But what we are missing is some hard science to help us know what is what. Again, how many people are going to be willing to admit that they've had a spinal deviation in their lines?
The only way things will change is if we all admit that things crop up in every line of rabbits - especially if you breed tightly, but even if you don't. Now I'm not suggesting that we let poor sanitation and bad husbandry practices slide, but playing genetic holier-than-thou games doesn't serve anyone in the long run.
When people are afraid to talk about health, genetic, and husbandry issues, they have a very difficult time getting the information they need. They may not find the simple solution to their problem, may not take a serious problem as seriously, or may make a mountain out of a mole hill.
And if we can't talk about situations, how are we to find out what worked well for someone or which plan is best? How can we double check one judge's opinion or ferret out the meaning of an occurence in the barn?
If you live in the District 9 area and have a rabbit with a deviated spine (or suspected deviation), think about whether you are willing to participate in a confidential study. Email me and I can put you in touch with the vet interested in evaluating rabbits. He plans to x-ray the spines. Rabbits must be sedated for this x-ray, so participants will be required to sign a waiver of liability, since there is always a risk when rabbits are sedated.
I'm hoping to see the information about spinal deviation presented in Kentucky when Convention comes that way. But it won't happen if folks aren't brave enough to step forward and participate.
Our culture of secrecy isn't going to change overnight. But if each of us thinks about the issue, refrains from finger pointing, and finds someone we trust to talk about issue with, maybe some day things will change. There are already a few people who are quite frank about genetic issues. It's a breath of fresh air when you run into one of those.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 10:00 AM
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Hi Laurie, I'm not in District 9 but am willing to get in touch with you when & if I see either of these problems in my herd. I've had split penis in the past but so far none lately. (watch, now that I've said that, I'll have it all over the place. haha) That's not something to hide, I agree. We need to know more on what causes these problems so they can be fix & gotten rid of on a perm. basis.
Talk to ya hopefully at some shows.
Dalene
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Talk to ya hopefully at some shows.
Dalene
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