Just wanted to share this situation with others on the mailing list in
hopes of getting these issues clarified.  And, to see if anybody else has
had this problem, and what did they do about it.  Thanks.
 
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 2 Sep 1994 07:24:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: Pat Ball <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: SICK FERRET
 
I have a 1 yr. old jill who came into heat either late February or early
March.  We bred her at that time, however, she had a false pregnancy and
came back into heat 7 to 8 weeks later.  We bred her again and had the same
response.  We bred her a third time and she falsed again.  She came back
in again, 7 - 8 weeks later.  We bred her a forth time on August 29th.  We
picked her up from the breeder's last night and she is now bleeding quite a
bit.  We took her to the Anne Arundel Emergency Clinic.  They told us she had
an infection that could be causing the bleeding.  She is not anemic.  She was
slightly dehydrated.  I have several questions.  #1.  The vet said that
ferrets do not come out of heat even if they are bred, unless they have a
litter.  Is this true?  All the breeders I have spoken with say that they
bring their jills out of heat with a vasectomized male.  According to the
vet, this only takes them out for a little while. IE, false pregnancies.
He also told us that Lucci probably has another problem, such as
malformed uterus or something along those lines, which is why she hasn't
gotten pregnant yet.  He also said that ferrets do not have two heat
cycles, rather one long heat cycle from about March thru August, which
brings me to question #2.  How often to ferrets come into heat?  And if
they do only have one cycle, and they do not come out of heat with a
vasectomized male, what do I do with my four month old who is in season
now?  That was question #3?  If you could clarify this for me, It would
be greatly appreciated.  Also, perhaps you could send something over the
ferret mailing list.  Thank you for your prompt response.  One more
thing, my husband wants to try breeding Lucci one more time after this
problem clears up.  I think she should probably be spayed.  Your advise
please.  Thanks.
 
[Posted in FML issue 0939]