Domestic ferrets have retained a number of juvenile characteristics, and
the ability to get along in a group is one of them.  Retaining juvenile
characteristics is a common feature among domesticated animals.
 
Don't expect CA F&G's arguments to be based on real references, logic or
consistency.  After all, why should they break long held patterns when
those who hold the purse-strings haven't demanded a better standard more
in keeping with the level of so many other states' F&G Departments?
 
Some individuals prefer being solitary.  Hey, there's room for variation.
Some like it because they grew up with it and have enough interactions
with other species.  Sevie always preferred other animals including
humans to ferrets.  Haleakala grew up with ferrets but had a male
accidentally bite through one of her eyes during mating before she came
here and after that she would only tolerate kits, otherwise preferring
to be away from ferrets.
 
Normally around here we many times a day have a bounding fog of ferrets
running and jumping all over each other with great joy.  Somehow they
manage to make themselves seem like more individuals than they are during
play.
 
I am glad film canister situation which named Weeds worked out right.
What a scene!  Not long ago we learned (not the hard way, luckily, but
through someone else's experimentation) that even though only one of
the companies selling them admits to false positives (and none of those
companies offer more accurate forms of testing) it really is true that
those urine tests give false readings for opiates when people eat food
with poppy seeds.  The effect begins within minutes (so rapidly that it
was startling) and lasts as long as 72 hours afterward.  So, if someone
ever creates a situation which might lead to a stronger ferret name
before using a urine test...
 
The latest on Brewer's Yeast is that it appears to lower blood sugar
which is why is considered useful for humans with diabetes, but not good
for insulinoma.
 
Excellent points, Mary!  I'm all FOR people using things noticed like
changes in behavior, odor, etc. to ADD in an extra vet appointment if
something is not really right -- that can save a ferret's life and
SHOULD be done -- but no one should ever diminish veterinary care for
that reason.  Luckily, that was not what happened in the case that was
discussed here, but like most folks have said, ferrets need medical care
and no one should find excuses to rob them of such an essential thing.
There is the scary risk that someone who is not as responsible as the
folks in the case discussed here might do exactly that, instead of using
a ferret vet as was done for that ferret.  Also, keep an open mind, since
sometimes no matter who describes something as a probable cause there may
be actually something else going on or something in addition so never try
to force the direction of a diagnosis, but do mention what possibilities
worry you to your vets, folks.
 
Sukie
Short-cuts to health info:
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
http://www.ferretcongress.org
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/
[Posted in FML issue 4082]