May 11, 2007: Albino hedgehog

[Hoof Hearted]

ACtually, color CNA be linked to some things...
In horses, particularly pintos with the "frame" or "overo" markings, there is a disease called LWOS (lethal white overo syndrome). In foals born with LWO both parents must be carriers of the gene (heterozygous for LWO) and each passes the LWO gene to the foal so the LWO foal is homozygous for the LWO gene, having two copies.

These foals are born white, and due to the absence of color their intestines are also missing an important link. Because the gene for color (LWO) and the gene for intestinal nerves are so close together on the chain, when the color is missing it affects the other...and the poor foal is born with no nerve connection for his intestines, so the foal cannot move the contents through his system, becomes impacted and dies. Humane euthanasia is preferred as there is NO cure.

It is recommended now to DNA test every suspected paint/pinto horse and if the horse is a positive carrier of LWO to NEVER breed them to another carrier. Carriers exhibit no problems of the LWO disease.