First, hypothyroid is so vanishingly rare that among a group of renounced
ferret specialists I know only two ACTUAL cases have ever been mentioned
and those could be the same case for all I know.  These are NOT current
cases.  One vet has mentioned that sometimes what might APPEAR to be
hypothyroidism is actually thyroid suppression from a hyperactive adrenal,
and adrenal problems certainly are COMMON in ferrets.  For the thyroid
figures, so that your vet can check the blood test results, look in the
1998 edition of James Fox's _Biology and Diseases of the Ferrets_.  I am
not a vet but the topic has come up in recent discussion with a group of
ferret-expert vets.
 
Waardensburg is seen in a very WIDE RANGE of mammal species, but I agree
that she might find the most detailed references by starting with the human
references and possibly with the cat ones.
 
Common Sense is being mentioned a LOT here recently.  We've had reminders
that parents are ultimately repsonsisble for their children's welfare which
should be a no-brainer, that people should be sure that anyone offering
info or advice actually has a background or references or both, and more.
Well, common sense is coming up again, and since WE'VE ALL GOT SOME if
never hurts to know how we can help ourselves and our ferrets.
 
The relationship this time?  I'm afraid that there are going to be
evangelicals on both sides of the treatment debate yelling at Deb Kemmerer,
either because she has used and uses some forms of alternative treatment,
or because she questions others.  Her figures on mean ages of human
survival over long expanses of times, BTW, seem to be very close for the
human figures, though there have been a number of peaks and dips along the
way depending on harvest sizes, population stress, plagues, water sources,
lead in diet, and a number of other factors (Many of these are in locations
and times when you would NOT normally expect them given the pictures our
school history classes often paint.), so depending on what period or place
a person chooses it is possible to make it look like her argument is off,
but remember that she was talking of the ENTIRE recorded pre-Western med
portion of our past in case someone tries that.  I'll be frank here and say
that I haven't worked with this kind of stuff in a GREAT number of years so
am going on memory and don't have numbers in front of me.
 
A LOT of people seem to be confused about what is a "fad" and what isn't.
 
A FAD is a fashion.  Nothing more.
 
An observation should make people prick up their ears a bit more.  An
observation by a trained professional is even better, yet.  Among
OBSERVATIONS by trained professionals one with related references to back
it is best.  This is referring to INDIRECT references.  How do you tell a
trained professional?  One trick is to look for someone who presents ALL
sides of the picture -- good and bad.  Still, even then, what is being
described are ONLY OBSERVATIONS!
 
STUDIES are the best.  Sometimes a study may not be on the given species,
as when people have generalized from humans to ferrets.  Remember then
that this isn't always reliable.  After all, you might use zinc lozenges,
or take Tylenol, or eat marine fish, take fiber powder, or love corn, but
any of these (some in large amounts, some in any amount.) can be dangerous
for ferrets -- some very, very dangerous.  Remember to take the "info"
given with a large grain of salt when species lines are crossed.
 
In STUDIES UPON THE APPLICABLE SPECIES, those by a trained professional are
the best.  There are a number of so-called studies out there (NOT speaking
of Pam's survey or the other adrenal surveys here because those involved
with the projects made a point of letting people know their possible
shortcomings and were completely honest and above-board.) on a range of
things from supposed genetics to health and maintenance matters.  Go for
actual hard studies by those trained in the related fields.  Even then you
can go one better.  The VERY BEST are STUDIES BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ON
THE TARGET SPECIES which are SUPPORTED BY CONFIRMING STUDIES BY OTHER
TRAINED PROFESSIONALS.  Obviously, with ferret medicine having so little
done so far, these will be hard to find for a while, but over the years
things will improve.  (Even in this case sometimes a series of studies will
be questioned by a new study which might muddy the waters for while till
it's known if the new study is seriously flawed, or if it points out an
aspect or subset which will improve understanding in the long run.
 
So, basically:
 
1. Look at ALL SIDES of a picture.  EVERYTHING in life has multiple sides.
2. Weigh the arguments noticing where they fit in the continuum described
   above and who is making them.
3. Recall Grandma's reminder that "Anything which seems too good to be
   true probably is!"
4. Use your common sense.
5. Discuss this with your veterinarian.  In the end it all comes down to
   that.  There may be health concerns, or a conflict with a needed
   medication, or some special health consideration for a given animal
   which might make a certain thing just plain too dangerous.  A VET
   EXPERIENCED IN FERRET MEDICINE is going to be THE person who is your
   ABSOLUTE BEST SOURCE OF INFORMATION and THE BEST JUDGE OF WHAT YOU
   SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO.
[Posted in FML issue 2563]