I'm sorry we've been away for a while.  Diane has been very ill lately, we
couldn't even make it to the ferret show this weekend.  I'm responding to
today's digest.  I'll go back and see if there is anything out of the past
couple days I should respond to as well.
 
>From:    Shamrock McNeill <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: kits update, color ? again
>Now for the color question-- i wrote ~3 weeks ago with a question about a
>jill i saw at a renfest ... this jill ... looked like a DEW pattern that
>had been dipped in clover honey.
 
Probably a "stained" DEW pattern.  Certain foods contain dyes that can
"stain" ferrets.  There used to be albinoes called "Tangerines" but they
couldn't reproduce the color.  Some believe the red sable and "true"
cinnamon were "stained" chocolates.  Chicken fat in food can cause yellow
"staining" - this is one harmless side effect of "Totally Ferret" - I still
recommend the food as the coloration is harmless.
 
>From:    Ernst Hadenfield <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Food again
You mentioned several things that don't match what we tend to believe in
the US.  We use Iam's and have not noticed ill effects.  Never heard any
comments about it having to much vitamin A.  We also do not tend to give
milk - soy or cow.  Fifty years ago ferret ranches used graham soaked in
milk but we don't do that any more.
 
>From:    "JEFF JOHNSTON, EPIDEMIOLOGY" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Vaccine reactions
>The real acid test to study vaccine reactions would consist of a
>randomized, controlled study of vaccines, preferably at the offices
>of several veterinarians who see a lot ferrets.
 
Since there are many questions about the data gathered by the Acme/STAR*
survey this would be a very good idea.  A survey based on limited polling
of the members of a small portion of the ferret owners does not carry the
same scientific credentials as a scientific survey of randomly selected
ferrets.
 
United Vaccine's Fervac-D did pass the USDA required testing that does
include testing for reactions.  It did pass the USDA requirements for
effectiveness.
 
Solvay's Galaxy-D has not been tested for safety or effectiveness
in ferrets.
 
United considers ferrets as a worthwhile market.  Solvay does not.
 
I will continue to advocate using products tested for ferrets.  I will
continue to support companies that support ferrets over companies that do
not.
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://userwww.qnet.com/~killian/zen_home.htm
[Posted in FML issue 1539]