eclairemom
Well-Known Member
Kipcha wrote:
oor bunnies
Shudder:shock
oor bunnies
Lets show the REW a little love.
- Thread starter I_heart_Fraggles
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daisyandoliver
Well-Known Member
I love all bunnies! I cuddle my bfs bunnies all the time he has New Zealands; and sometimes they get on my nerves because they attack me when i feed them. Are they REW's?
I cuddle my bfs bunnies all the time he has New Zealands; and sometimes they get on my nerves because they attack me when i feed them. Are they REW's?
cwolfec
Well-Known Member
I'll be honest, when I was younger I was freaked out by the "red-eyed rabbits." To this day I can't think of a reason behind it.....probably just being a dumb kid
I LOVE them now! It is too bad sweet buns get discriminated against just because of their ruby eyes. I had no idea about their tendency toward blindness either. Poor lil REWs. I actually considered adopting a REW just the other day
I LOVE them now! It is too bad sweet buns get discriminated against just because of their ruby eyes. I had no idea about their tendency toward blindness either. Poor lil REWs. I actually considered adopting a REW just the other day
Ilovemyrabbit
Elise - Introductions & Blogs Moderator
I love all rabbits, REW rabbits are just as cute as any other rabbit without red eyes IMHO
OakRidgeRabbits
Well-Known Member
I_heart_Fraggles wrote:
Weak stock has no place in a breeding program. Eliminating weaknesses is the reason people raise animals.
Weak stock has no place in a breeding program. Eliminating weaknesses is the reason people raise animals.
JessicaK
Well-Known Member
OakRidgeRabbits wrote:
Eliminating weaknesses is the reason good breeders raise animals. Unfortunately that can't be said for everyone.
Eliminating weaknesses is the reason good breeders raise animals. Unfortunately that can't be said for everyone.
OakRidgeRabbits
Well-Known Member
I suppose what I'm trying to get across is that breeding animals is not what causes problems or weaknesses. The hobby of raising animals is meant as a progressive improvement process.
It's very disheartening for people who work with animals to see post after post spreading rumors and fallacies about what we do, under the general term "breeder." That sends the message that breeders, in general, are mass producing animals with no regard to their health or well-being.
There are people in the world who throw together animals and breed them with no knowledge of what they're doing- no one is challenging that fact. But to say that the overwhelming majority of people producing animals is doing that is false.
I'm sure that most of the rabbits seen by rescues and vets have these issues, because unfortunately, the people breeding specifically for the pet market are generally not very reputable. But those statistics don't speak for the rabbit population on the whole.
It's very disheartening for people who work with animals to see post after post spreading rumors and fallacies about what we do, under the general term "breeder." That sends the message that breeders, in general, are mass producing animals with no regard to their health or well-being.
There are people in the world who throw together animals and breed them with no knowledge of what they're doing- no one is challenging that fact. But to say that the overwhelming majority of people producing animals is doing that is false.
I'm sure that most of the rabbits seen by rescues and vets have these issues, because unfortunately, the people breeding specifically for the pet market are generally not very reputable. But those statistics don't speak for the rabbit population on the whole.
SOOOSKA
Well-Known Member
My Beautiful :inlove:Buttercup (RIP) :rainbow:lived to be over 13. He started my love of Bunnies, it's thanks to him that I still have 3. I never gave his Red eyes a second thought. I fell in love with the little guy the minute I saw him in my Ex's hands all those years ago.
Susan
Susan
Imbrium
Jennifer
OakRidgeRabbits wrote:
no one is spreading "rumors and fallacies" about breeders as a whole - we've clarified that we're only talking about the specific category of breeders who aren't TRUE breeders (who of course care about the genetics and about improving the breed) and breed indiscriminately and carelessly. like it or not, there's a LOT of those people out there and they ARE responsible for shelter bunnies with genetic flaws. GOOD breeders don't insist on breeding inferior rabbits, nor do they let their rabbits end up in shelters. unfortunately, just about anyone can call themselves a breeder whether they know what they're doing or not.
everyone talking about "breeders" has stressed the point that we're NOT talking about ALL breeders - we're talking about bad backyard breeders - and we know that not all people who refer to themselves as breeders fall into that category.
no one is spreading "rumors and fallacies" about breeders as a whole - we've clarified that we're only talking about the specific category of breeders who aren't TRUE breeders (who of course care about the genetics and about improving the breed) and breed indiscriminately and carelessly. like it or not, there's a LOT of those people out there and they ARE responsible for shelter bunnies with genetic flaws. GOOD breeders don't insist on breeding inferior rabbits, nor do they let their rabbits end up in shelters. unfortunately, just about anyone can call themselves a breeder whether they know what they're doing or not.
Kipcha
Well-Known Member
eclairemom wrote:
I agree, poor little ones had so many problems (extremely underweight, Kit had a heart murmur, etc.) and yet they were just the sweetest little babies. It's so sad to think about what happened to them. When I went to get them Kat was actually sitting on the snakes head! And this was one big snake!
Why is it all these threads are devolving into an anti-breeding debate? I mean, we rescue and believe in spaying/neutering, not to mention we have seen bad breeders and hoarders, but I know a few really nice people who breed and really care about their animals. There are good breeders and bad breeders, everyone knows that. It's the same thing with every animal.
Kipcha wrote:
Shudder:shock
I agree, poor little ones had so many problems (extremely underweight, Kit had a heart murmur, etc.) and yet they were just the sweetest little babies. It's so sad to think about what happened to them. When I went to get them Kat was actually sitting on the snakes head! And this was one big snake!
Why is it all these threads are devolving into an anti-breeding debate? I mean, we rescue and believe in spaying/neutering, not to mention we have seen bad breeders and hoarders, but I know a few really nice people who breed and really care about their animals. There are good breeders and bad breeders, everyone knows that. It's the same thing with every animal.
sarah92lynn
Well-Known Member
I LOVE my Lilly bun's eyes! She is a pointed white, not sure what breed exactly but she has pink eyes & I LOVE them. They are my favorite!! Soo gorgeous especially in the sun light :hearts
My boyfriend thinks they are awesome as well. People shouldn't always pick out the "cutest rabbit" in the first place.. Of course the way they look is always gonna be a factor but I don't ever pick an animal before another over it's looks. Personality is the biggest factor for me!
My boyfriend thinks they are awesome as well. People shouldn't always pick out the "cutest rabbit" in the first place.. Of course the way they look is always gonna be a factor but I don't ever pick an animal before another over it's looks. Personality is the biggest factor for me!
Again this is not a thread to debate breeding practices. But you must be aware that for every beautiful winning tan Sarah produces or every health holland lop Julie has there are people churning out 10 more bunnies like Muppet and that is my point.
Anaira
Well-Known Member
To get it back on track...Reuben also supports the REB(red-eyed buns)!
man, this guy is an ambassador for everybun. Reuben for world dictator!
man, this guy is an ambassador for everybun. Reuben for world dictator!
Anaira wrote:
Not until he makes a proper acceptance speech as the great jigglebun!
Not until he makes a proper acceptance speech as the great jigglebun!
OakRidgeRabbits
Well-Known Member
This discussion kind of bounced into the great unknown, but overall it's just great to see that so many people have had the opportunity to adopt REW bunnies in need, I just wish some were under better circumstances (don't we all)! That's all I was hoping to get across- the reassurance that many people are working to ensure that REW bunnies are carefully created and cared about.
The rabbits who don't fall into that category are lucky to have those of you who love pink-eyed rescues. :bunnydance:
The rabbits who don't fall into that category are lucky to have those of you who love pink-eyed rescues. :bunnydance:
woahlookitsme
Well-Known Member
Yay here is the reply from Dr.Hreiz:
Sarah,
I have not heard of this described in any scientific journals. My guess is that you are heari
Sarah,
I have not heard of this described in any scientific journals. My guess is that you are heari
kkiddle
Well-Known Member
I hate to see this thread turn into an argument, but it is a well known fact that albino animals (which is what REWs are) are prone to vision problems that may lead to blindness. This is true for any albino animal, including humans.
It's not due to irresponsible breeding, unless you call simply breeding REWs irresponsible, as it is a genetic quality for albinos. In other words, unless you consider breeding albinos irresponsible, there is nothing else "added" that would cause the vision problems. If they are albino, they have a chance at having a vision problem, no matter their history. Is that clear? Having a higher risk of vision problems is part of who they are. Without being REW, they wouldn't have a vision problem (well, they may, but you get what I'm saying.) Also, I'm pretty sure Albino animals can breed with other non-albino animals and still produce "normal" babies with no vision problems at all (because they are not albino) See what I'm saying?
Anyway, to make this a peaceful thread again, here is information from a study published April 4th, 2012:
"The divergence of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons into ipsilateral and contralateral projections at the optic chiasm and the subsequent segregation of retinal inputs into eye-specific domains in their target, the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), are crucial for binocular vision. In albinism, affected individuals exhibit a lack or reduction of pigmentation in the eye and skin, a concomitant reduced ipsilateral projection, and diverse visual defects."
OKAY. Can we talk about cute bunnies again??
It's not due to irresponsible breeding, unless you call simply breeding REWs irresponsible, as it is a genetic quality for albinos. In other words, unless you consider breeding albinos irresponsible, there is nothing else "added" that would cause the vision problems. If they are albino, they have a chance at having a vision problem, no matter their history. Is that clear? Having a higher risk of vision problems is part of who they are. Without being REW, they wouldn't have a vision problem (well, they may, but you get what I'm saying.) Also, I'm pretty sure Albino animals can breed with other non-albino animals and still produce "normal" babies with no vision problems at all (because they are not albino) See what I'm saying?
Anyway, to make this a peaceful thread again, here is information from a study published April 4th, 2012:
"The divergence of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons into ipsilateral and contralateral projections at the optic chiasm and the subsequent segregation of retinal inputs into eye-specific domains in their target, the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), are crucial for binocular vision. In albinism, affected individuals exhibit a lack or reduction of pigmentation in the eye and skin, a concomitant reduced ipsilateral projection, and diverse visual defects."
OKAY. Can we talk about cute bunnies again??
Kipcha
Well-Known Member
I agree, back onto cute bunnies!
I mean really, how can you not look at this face and gush about how adorable it is!
I mean really, how can you not look at this face and gush about how adorable it is!
Kipcha wrote:
I just love their story!!! And you're right, how could you not love that sweet bunny face, ruby eyes and all
I agree, back onto cute bunnies!
I mean really, how can you not look at this face and gush about how adorable it is!
I just love their story!!! And you're right, how could you not love that sweet bunny face, ruby eyes and all
woahlookitsme
Well-Known Member
Aw man it didnt post. Ok here this is just for general reference and no arguement is happening Kari.
Sarah,
I have not heard of this described in any scientific journals. My guess is that you are hearing this via anecdotal evidence - breeders noticing a trend based on their own experience. This may be true but it has not been proven with peer reviewed scientific research. I have not observed this in the REW rabbits I've judged or treated as a veterinarian.
REWs do have a generalized problem with their eyes that is best described as resting horizontal nystagmus. The thought is that these rabbits have difficulty locking in on patterns of light and therefore continuously adjust their vision to account for the light source in the room. These rabbits may have some visual deficits but it is difficult to measure on physical exam alone - rabbits generally lack a menace response.
I hope this clears some things up for you. Rabbit research, especially pet rabbit research, is sparse
-Jay
That REW is adorable lol because of this thread I am looking at my moms red eyed rabbits differently as in they are pretty cute. I used to think they were odd but after my mom raising himis I grew a fondness for them. I wish she would get them again How could you not love this face
Sarah,
I have not heard of this described in any scientific journals. My guess is that you are hearing this via anecdotal evidence - breeders noticing a trend based on their own experience. This may be true but it has not been proven with peer reviewed scientific research. I have not observed this in the REW rabbits I've judged or treated as a veterinarian.
REWs do have a generalized problem with their eyes that is best described as resting horizontal nystagmus. The thought is that these rabbits have difficulty locking in on patterns of light and therefore continuously adjust their vision to account for the light source in the room. These rabbits may have some visual deficits but it is difficult to measure on physical exam alone - rabbits generally lack a menace response.
I hope this clears some things up for you. Rabbit research, especially pet rabbit research, is sparse
-Jay
That REW is adorable
lol because of this thread I am looking at my moms red eyed rabbits differently as in they are pretty cute. I used to think they were odd but after my mom raising himis I grew a fondness for them. I wish she would get them again How could you not love this face
