FERRET-SEARCH@LISTSERV.FERRETMAILINGLIST.ORG
|
|
Subject: | |
From: | |
Date: | Fri, 8 Sep 1995 01:06:06 +0059 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
Folks,
Just thought I'd add some facts to the list.
A friend of mine (Cornell Vet '93), Ruth Heller, worked for MF doing
parasite research and the odd sterilization while still a vet student. I
checked with her on the phone last night, and got the scoop. (By the way,
Ruth is an avid puppy mill closer in PA, and she would never work for a
place that resorted to that sort of arrangement).
As posted, Jills are bred 2 cycles a year, 3 if it happens that way.
All ferrets are started on food at 2 weeks, but not fully weaned until 6
weeks of age. Neutering occurs at that time, and the jury is still out on
the affects of early neutering on dogs and cats, let alone ferrets (this is
a big debate in the vet community right now). Ferrets are shipped at 8
weeks.
As to socialization, Dr. Heller reports that hoards of high school and
college students are paid to handle both the breeding animals and the
babies (from 2 weeks on) to socialize them with people. I'm not sure how
much contact they get with other ferrets outside their own litter.
Hope this helps with some of the controversy. I do have permission
from Dr. Heller to pass on her words (in paraphrase), and a wish that she
had access to this list.
-Dr. Karen
[Posted in FML issue 1308]
|
|
|