Hi, it's been a heavy week, but wanted to ask Roger and others involved with the
cancer/health surveys how many environmental questions are asked.  Reason:
there is an interesting article in Science News , vol. 144, July 3 on estrogenic
environmental factors and human breast cancer.  Unlike cancers such as colon
(where fat is the major culprit for humans) and lung (where death sticks
repeatedly show to be  dangerous in studies despite the disclaimers of those who
profit through their sales),  as many as 70% of human breast cancers are without
explanation even while the rates increase world-wide.  This has led to a search
into possible culprits which increase the amounts of estrogens (which are not
all equal on this score), or can fill their receptor locations, or mess with how
they are altered by an OH- (one pathway appears to be safer than the other), or
interfere with the production or utilization of melatonin .  It seems that
extended light exposures, and exposures to some magnetic fields can reduce
melatonin which in turn has cancer fighting properties (and perhaps other health
related anti-oxidant properties), and that some plastics, some pesticides, some
pollutants, and other listed items which I gather are gone into in greater
detail in the August ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES may well fill estrogen
receptors or strengthen the bonds of these receptors with either the body's own
estrogens or environmental ones and thus create conditions favorable to cancer
growth.  These may of course turn out to have no importance to the types of
cancers our guys are getting, but it may also be that lighting
type/duration/intensity, whether there are a number of
plastics/pesticides/others with estrogenic properties associated with diet and
home life may matter.  Does anyone know the rates of similar cancers in humans
which are still unexplained?  Do the ongoing ferret studies ask about lighting,
materials in water bottles,  pesticide exposures, etc?  I know, I know , we keep
such detailed information on our guys that we should have already sent Roger an
SASE.  What can I say?  It's been a hell of time the last 2   1/2 years, what
with some operations for humans, some seriously ill and some lost relatives, and
Hjalmar's cancer, plus the typical recession stresses we all face.  I'm hoping
1993 is our catch-up year.  We need one very much.
 
One of our 3 vets left the practise, so if there are some excellent students
finishing now or vets-becoming-established out there who like suburban bordering
on rural,  north-central New Jersey with its folk music, lush greenery, and
local national preserves you might be interested in Basking Ridge.  Hanan Caine
and Erno Holo are both great people and very dedicated, and Hanan did extra work
with exotics (including at the AMC).  Nancy, when does Jenny finish(?) -- this
year or next? It's in our favor if someone with an established interest in
exotics joins this already strong team, but I don't know what they themselves
are seeking for a complimentary partnership.  We hate to see them overworked,
but also want them to have a great selection so they can go with the best
possible.  Over the years we have known many vets, and we have nothing but
praise for these two men.  We recommend them as vets and as wonderful people.
(And this area's pretty fine, too.)
 
Katie, here's something familiar to you,  Ruffie"s reacted to her innoculations.
Fortunately, she didn't get as severe as your little girl (Was it Pixie?) but
still got to the point of needing IV and intra-muscular dexamethasone.
 
Barb (if memory correctly serves as to author of fine piece), A while back you
contributed a ferret filk song (Yes, filk with an 'i" is a term.) Did you come
up with a tune?  I'm sorting a PILE of notes for the FAQ stuff I am organizing
and think it belongs in the behavior write-up.
 
Spot now loves to be asked body parts on the toy ferret, and especially likes to
be asked "Where ferret belly?" so he can knock it over and bump the stomach
area.  Ever notice that the first thing most ferrets do with a toy critter is to
check under the tail to see if it's anatomically correct?
 
Ferrets are so funny that after a while it's hard to relate funny stories
because they have one laughing every single day, kind of like living with
Jonathan Winters.  Somehow I can also see him doing a ferret "make cute"  lying
on his back, getting a Mona Lisa smile, and "batting" his baby blues.  J.W. in a
ferret suit , it fits... or on a regressionist's couch "Yes, it is a good
bottle, now go further back, further, further..."  Then the dancing, beeping,
and mischief begin.  Why did I never notice this before?  J.W. as "proof" of
earlier lives before he was reduced to humanity.
 
Love to all, Sukie, Steve, Meltdown, Ruffle, 'Chopper, Spot, Meeteetse
 
[Posted in FML issue 0516]