I guess this is another topic related to the past couple of topics that
Wolfy has brought up.  I'm not sure if its just me, or this is something
seen quite often with other ferret-adopted parents.  I've had ferrets
since '97.  My first two, I bought at Petco - Marshall ferrets.  I had
those 2 up until the ages of 4 1/2 (Brasco) and 6 1/2 (Brandy).  I
lost Brasco in an accident (still dont forgive myself for), but he was
neither adrenal nor insulinomic.  Brandy didnt develop either until
after she was 6.
 
I've adopted 5 ferrets from a shelter.  When I got them, they range in
ages from 1 yr to 4 yrs old.  Four of them developed Arenal disease, and
1 had bonemarrow cancer.  My 2 that I have remaining, River just had
Adrenal surgery (he's aged 2 yrs old), and now the youngest I've come
across, Rayna, is just developing the symptoms (base of tail fur loss).
She's only ONE year old.
 
What is going on??  I wanted to adopt younger this time around, so I
wouldnt lose them so quickly (so I thought).  But I lost Rudy already
(bonemarrow).  River thank God survived surgery and is doing great.
But now Rayna has got to have surgery!
 
Maybe Bob C or someone has some insight into this, or shelter operators
may know this or anyone... but has this got to do with nutrition at all?
I dont know what the previous owners were feeding them when they were
young.  Was it healthy nutrious ferret food or the cheapest stuff they
could find that led them to be under-nutritioned (if thats a word??) and
they havent developed properly with all the defenses needed to fight off
cancer/tumors.
 
I'm on the FHL also, and I believe I am doing everything right.
Nutritious kibble, Bob C's chicken gravy.. they get the darkness,
no raisins or other surgery foods.  They get plenty of excercise and
playtime and new toys and things to stimulate their minds, I brush their
teeth, they get furball remedy... I just cant figure out what I'm doing
wrong.  Do I have such awful luck to lose these babies so early in life?
I cant think of anything that I am doing wrong, so my only other thought
is... its either my plain bad luck (not that I would ever trade any of
them for anything, but you know what I mean?) or, its something thats
going on with/to them when they are young, before they come to me??  I
just dont know what is going on.  I'm trying to do everything right so
they will live a long time.  Any ideas?
 
Andrea
[Posted in FML issue 4803]