inbreeding

Question
Hi, I asked several questions about my pet bunny before, however, three months ago she died from a bad reaction to anesthesia during surgery to get spayed. It was very unlikely to happen, and really sad, but now I think I'm ready for a new bun.

I've been browsing, and I found a white rabbit I really like as far as looks go. However, it's personality seems pretty lacking from the limited time I've spent with it. I remembered being told that a lot of lower quality rabbit breed siblings frequently in order to get desired colors, which can cause mental retardation and health complications. Do you know if this is common in solid white rabbits?

My second question refers to another rabbit I was considering. When I flipped him to check his gender, his testicles were huge & swollen, and ran like tracks under his skin and up his stomach. There was no hair on the tracks. The pet store clerk said he had wanted to call a vet, but couldn't because of the cost. Is there something terrible wrong with the rabbit?

Thanks again,
Deb

Answer
Dear Deb,

I am very sorry about the loss of your friend.  

A pet store situation isn't a great venue for judging the personality of a rabbit.  And there are as many personalities as there are rabbits; it's not often a matter of breed.

Yes, inbreeding can result in mental deficiencies in rabbits, just as it can in any mammal.  But it's hard to say whether this was the case with the white bunny you saw.  He might have been scared, shy, not feeling well...any number of things.  Albinism is a recessive trait, which is more likely in the case of inbreeding.  But since so many lineages of rabbits carry recessive alleles for inbreeding, it's hard to say.  But some of the very nicest, sweetest rabbits I've ever met have been albinos.  :)

The rabbit with the swollen testicles sounds as if he has a serious health problem, and that pet store should be ashamed for not giving him the proper care.  Expense should not be an issue if you are selling these poor animals.

This is the main reason I'd urge you to stay away from pet stores and instead contact your local rabbit rescuer:

www.rabbit.org/chapters

Adoptable bunnies from the rescuer will already be spayed/neutered, sparing you that expense and worry. And the rescuer--unlike a pet store owner who doesn't care enough about his rabbits to even provide them with proper veterinary care--will be able to tell you about the personalities, health histories, and any special things about the rescued rabbits in his/her care.  They also can refer you to an experienced rabbit vet.  It's really the best way to go, all around.

I hope you will contact a rescuer, and if you are feeling civic-minded, also the local animal cruelty authorities to report that jerky pet store owner.

Good luck,

Dana