>From:    zen and the art of ferrets - bill and diane <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Zen remains ambiguous about wide spectrum lighting...
>.... It is a plausible but still unproven theory that this sort of lighting
>can help "cure" adrenals non-surgically.
 
Bill isn't being ambiguous, that's the facts.  It's a study..  It's in
progress..  It's too soon to make claims.  It may be too early to be talking
about it even.
 
I can only speak from first hand knowledge of 6 of these fuzzies, the rest
is reported.
 
Some of what is known...
 
Shelter ferrets that exhibited classic adrenal symptoms were exposed to a
controlled photoperiod of wide spectrum OTT lighting and their food intake
was modified to include a high TF component and their environment was
improved.
 
Initially, that was merely coincidental to their care.
 
All of that group showed a reversal of symptoms.
 
Subsequentally, more adrenal symptom ferrets have been intentionally
subjected to the regimen.  They have ALL reversed too.
 
Currently, about 28 more are in the process, and some have reported positive
changes already.
 
It is important to note that 'adrenal symptom' ferrets are about 80% likely
to actually have adrenal tumors, and that the reversal of adrenal symptoms
does not guarantee that the adrenal tumor, if it ever existed, actually went
away.
 
It is obvious here that something is actually happening to these reversals
and it seems very positive.  It remains now, given the high statistical
probability based on this number of positive outcomes, that a real
controlled and scientifically proper study should be undertaken and
documented with the assistance of genuinely qualified persons.
 
With each additional positive outcome, the likelyhood of coincidence fades
slowly, and the chance of something real and meaningful increases.
 
There is always a slim possibility that something totally unobserved and
unsuspected is what is actually curing these symptoms, like cosmic rays or
radon gas or whatever, that is why it is important to carry on a real
controlled and proper study.
 
To that end, I am searching for a dwelling place suitable for occupancy by
fuzzies and caretakers where this can be continued.  I am searching from DC
to Carolina, and hoping for a low-rent find.  I would welcome any who would
care to share the 'overhead' of this project.  I am not doing the study, I
am only supporting it.
 
If you have a candidate fuzzy, which is symptomatic, and you are unable to
provide for normal proper vet care, and this is the last chance for this
fuzzy, contact [log in to unmask] for the list of things to do.
 
DO NOT experiment with any fuzzy which has any possibility of receiving
proper vet care, and do not subject any fuzzy to any form of deprivation or
sufferring on account of this study.  If possible, at least discuss the
fuzzy with a vet.  This is NOT A COMPLETED AND SCIENTIFICALLY VALID STUDY...
it is a REALLY optomistic finding of statistically significant facts which
WARRANTS a real study.
 
Actually, wide spectrum lighting on a timer matching natures cycle and a
diet of TF would be a pretty good idea for any and all ferrets.  A close
relationship with humans and plenty of toys, care, clean safe environment
and attention wouldn't hurt either.
 
   Bob
[Posted in FML issue 2068]