>...the kibbled diets are insufficient we really need to bring out the
>meats as treats and supplimental feedings at a VERY early age.  Also the
>spay neuter at any age will play a role in the health of the animal--
>I am just surprised none of these issues were addressed -- you merely
>equated it to animals live and animals die some will live longer !
 
Gosh, Alicia!  No need to spank me!  <grin>
 
Well, I think my post was answering a different question.  I simply
subsumed ALL environmental factors without mentioning cause or effect
except for a few minor examples.  Because of post length restrictions,
I had to send my response in two parts, and I was working hard to keep
the post simple, short, and to the point.  The point of my post was to
illustrate ferrets are not actually sickly animals, NOT to discuss things
that makes them sick.  That would be another post.  You want me to write
one?  Do ya, do ya? ;-)
 
You have brought out some important issues, and I think you know we
share more than a small amount of agreement about them.  Besides early
neutering, I think the ferret community as a whole overfeeds ferrets,
feeds ferrets way too many carbohydrates, doesn't address mental
stimulation issues enough, keeps ferrets in cages far too long, and
subjects ferrets to stressful overcrowding.  Some of these do not have
the same health impact as others, but I suspect they are accumulative,
exacerbating species-wide predispositions for certain medical conditions.
 
So, what would you like me to write about first?  ;-)
 
Bob C
[Posted in FML issue 4133]