>From:    Darcy and Darci <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: New owners, need help
>Our problem seems to be that we are not sure when she comes into her first
>heat.
 
You get conflicting answers as its an approximation.  Under 'natural' light
conditions jills will go into estrus a few weeks after the winter solstice.
Under house lighting conditions that varies.  Now I didn't put an age there
as its the light not the age that is the key factor.
 
>The reason we are asking is because yesterday we were playing with her and
>we noticed that her vulva seemed swolen.
 
You won't have any doubt when she is really in estrus.
 
>Also, is bringing them out of heat with meds harmful?
 
No.  There is always a chance of a problem with ANY procedure but we've
never heard of a harm from hormone injections.  The worst problem is that
in some jills it doesn't seem to work as well as hoped.
 
If your jill is at least 6 months old you should consider a spay fairly
soon since the solstice is approaching.
 
-bill
 
--
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2516]