Megacolon & high white markings????????

[smalltowngirl]

Megacolon is a condition that occurs in many species, including humans, though in humans it is called Hirschsprung's Disease. Affected animals are missing nerve cells in the wall of their colon and/or their rectum that are necessary in order to move stool along and out. In rats, this means that the stool will back up, and they will bloat. This is most likely painful and eventually results in the death of the animal. Rats don't usually have problems with it until they are weaned, though you might see symptoms of the condition in an affected animal before weaning such as poor muscle tone (especially in the hind legs) and a general failure to thrive. Though this condition can occur in any rat, it is very often seen in rats with what I call "high-white" markings.

Can someone explain to me what "high white" markings are please?

 

[lilspaz68]

Here you go...great article at the bottom of my post

viewtopic.php?p=1904#p1904

 

[jorats]

Not only high white rats are susceptible but all the siblings in the litter as well, even though being berks or hoodeds. If mom and/or dad were a high white, all babies can have megacolon.

 

[smalltowngirl]

Thanks for the info! :sad3: That breaks my heart looking at those pictures. I was just looking through rat info while the kids are napping.....how sad.