Hamster deafness

[Sarah9969]

Hello,

Hoping you guys can clear something up for me. I have a little dwarf hamster who I am 95% certain is deaf. This is no problem for me or him I just have to be a little more careful in approaching him. When I got my little hamster (he was up for adoption in a pet store) his coat was partially white with blotches of the standard grey Campbell's coat (head was grey too) then it turned completely white over winter which made me think he may be partially winter white, but it's stayed white ever since. Anyway, I read on a previous post on tj the forum that hamsters with white coats may be prone to inherited deafness and I was just wondering if that's true? I can't find any other info online about it. Just wondering if it's true or whether it's just a coincidence 😊

[AmityvilleHams]

If all hamsters with white coats were prone to inherited deafness we'd have no winter white hamsters without deafness.This is probably a myth created by dog breeders assuming that hamster genetics are necessarily the same as some dog breeds,or perhaps even similar to certain cat and horse breeds.However,coat has nothing to do with hearing or vision unless you're dealing with eyeless whites or other lethal genetics!

Overall care should be pretty much the same but as you mentioned you will have to be more careful.It shouldn't be too difficult though but good luck anyways

[Vicki]

No dog breeders say white dogs will be deaf. If a white animal has blue eyes, there is a possibility of deafness. The blue eye gene is recessive as is a white coat, making this the combination that MAY lead to being born deaf.

[AmityvilleHams]

Originally Posted by Vicki

No dog breeders say white dogs will be deaf. If a white animal has blue eyes, there is a possibility of deafness. The blue eye gene is recessive as is a white coat, making this the combination that MAY lead to being born deaf.

That's what I was talking about but forgot the other details!But yes,it isn't a guarantee either based on that alone.

[Sarah9969]

Thanks it was just something I read on here last night while researching deafness in hamsters, it just said those with white coats may be prone to heritable deafness. Funnily enough he has little blue eyes too. I just wanted to clear it up anyway so thanks

[Vicki]

Try holding your fingers behind him & snap them. That will tell you. That is how vets test animal's hearing.

[Sarah9969]

I've tried all sorts, he just doesn't respond unless it's with touch, smell or sight I'm taking him to the vet on Friday for something else so I'll ask them to take a look then