Every couple of months, we have a question about why there are so many
     questions about ferret health.  For the newbies in our midst...
 
        Ferrets are no more prone to isease than other animals.  However,
     they do have a much shorter lifespan, so these problems come up an a
     more frequent basis.  Plus, most of us own anywhere between two and
     fifteen animals, and many own more than this, or run shelters.  When
     you are dealing iwth such large numbers of animals, you will have
     proportionatley more health problems.
 
        Also, the FML also has several vets that give health advice.  We
     are well known as a place where you can get a prompt response to a
     question about the health of your animal, and several of us also are
     involved with the health care of many of the animals which you read
     about.
 
        Another thing to consider is that many of the FMLers live in areas
     where vets are not very familiar with ferrets and their diseases, so
     the FML is a good place to get a second opinion or advice for their
     vets.  I field anywhere from 3-8 phone calls daily on ferret matters
     from veterinarians around the country.
 
        Ferrets ARE prone to several diseases that you will become familiar
     with as a regular participant in the FML - adrenal disease,
     insulinoma, cardiomyopathy, Helicobacter mustelae infection and
     several others.  And, as the membership of the FML is always in flux,
     with readers coming (more) and leaving (less), you often have people
     who have not been privy to these discussions logging in to ask
     questions upon material which may have been covered less than a week
     before.  Rather than say "Go find issue XXX...", we generally just
     start the thread up again.
 
        Any type of animal that you may obtain as a pet will have
     predisposition to disease.  Ferrets should be expected to get diseases
     of their own , too.  But as most people on the FML will tell you, the
     benefits are far more than the risks.
 
       Bruce Williams, DVM                 Department of Veterinary Pathology
       [log in to unmask]         Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
       (202) 782-2600/2602                    Washington, D.C.  20306-6000
[Posted in FML issue 1064]