A post today reminded me of this--I've been meaning to put the preliminary
results from a survey I've conducted out for comment/opinion/suggestion.
The two groups were: 3-6 year old Marshall Farms Ferrets, all males.  51
were from pet stores--early spay and neuter, many did not receive a second
distemper shot (since most pet stores will say "they have all their shots
except rabies"--if that).  48 were from a 'lab' type of situation---a doctor
purchased them, 6 at a time, from Marshall farms at 6 months old.  They were
anesthetized once, and they were used to trained emergency room personnel to
put tubes into their airways to simulate the size and type of a human infant
in respiratory distress.  None were harmed in any way and all were adopted
out with 2 weeks after the 'procedure'.  Most were neutered before leaving
the facility (42) and the rest were neutered within 1 month.
 
The results:
21 of the pet store ferrets have shown definitive signs of adrenal tumors,
18 have undergone surgery and had their diagnosis confirmed, 5 have died.  6
of the pet store ferrets have been diagnosed with lymphocarcinoma, 4 have
died.
 
NONE of the animals in the other group has demonstrated adrenal tumor
abnormalities, but one has been diagnosed with lymphocarcinoma.
 
Of course, given these findings, I would think that early spay or neuter has
everything to do with these results---all animals are from the same
breeding, environment, etc...?????
 
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Amy M.E. Cada                            [log in to unmask]
Behavioral Neuroscience, UT Austin
Asta- 2/3 NA agility, tennis ball, flyball, and bath addict scottie;
Wylie-court jester wire fox; Gryphon, toothbrush loving scottie
Their 3 geriatric ferret friends, and Zowie ferret @ the RB
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[Posted in FML issue 1964]