No, a ferret's health cannot be guarenteed by where it came from.

I have 1 shelter ferret - Max, who came from Jean at Ferrets Unlimited.
His "source" is unknown, although he came to Jean unneutered, w/ no
tatoos or identifying marks. Since I've had Max, he's had his left
adrenal removed (non-cancerous) & 1 MCT.

My newest ferret, Ivan, was an "oops" from someone who wasn't careful
w/ their unneutered/unspayed ferrets, who I got at the local humane
society. I've only had him for about a yr, & while he's currently got
some odd hair loss goin on, we don't yet know if it's adrenal, or
contact dermatitis from the Malaseb we're using for his tail
blackheads.

Ariel came from a small private breeder. I've had her since 10 wks of
age. She was spayed at 9 mos, & hasn't been descented. Ariel had her
left adrenal removed at 1 yr 9 mos (non-cancerous); developed a heart
condition that's completely undocumented as occuring in ferrets at age
3; & is currently on Lupron for her right adrenal.

My other 2 guys are Oberon & Puck. Oberon is 5.5 yrs old, Puck is not
quite 3. They came from a pet store, & both are MF ferrets. Neither
Oberon or Puck have had *any* major health issues. Oberon has had one
MCT removed, & that's it.

As I said, a ferret's health cannot be guarenteed by where it came
from. My 2 healthiest are MF ferrets, & my little girl w/ all the major
health problems came from a private breeder.

Go figure.

Lin, Ariel, Oberon, Max, Puck, & Ivan

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email me at: kay tee en eye el at double-u owe aich dot ar ar dot see
owe em
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[Posted in FML 5486]