YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE
 
These are some of the possible CONSEQUENCES of Aspermic Studding of your
female, estral ferret to one or more of the birth control ferrets at
Ferrets NorthWest.
 
1.) The mating of your female ferret, while in heat or estrus, to a FNW
male and vasectomized ferret will likely take your female ferret out of
heat, with the result that:
 
2.) Your female ferret's enlarged vulva will diminish in size and should
reduce to non-significance with no further issuance of the liquid that was
constantly issuing from her swollen vulva during the time she was
displaying her 2nd stage estrus.
 
3.) There is the remote possibility that the reason for your ferrets
swollen vulva and the more or less constant discharge therefrom may due to
a condition that affects the reproductive system in various ways, chief
of which may be rapidly growing tissue masses characteristic of cancer of
various endocrine secreting gland(s) and/or the pancreas.  Vasectomized
mating will not cure this serious affliction and your ferret may remain
in estrus in spite of the fact that she has been mated repeatedly to a
vasectomized or even a viripotent ferret.  In this latter case her
condition would be severely complicated by the demands upon her body to
support an embryonic pregnancy.
 
4.) The consequences of vasectomized mating may also result in an infection
of the uterine body of the ferret, a condition referred to as pyometritis.
This infectious state may also occur when a ferret is otherwise mated to a
viripotent ferret, with the result that the pregnancy will likely be
terminated by the unfortunate death of the entire litter prior to the
natural birth of that litter and the possible death of the would-be mother
ferret in the event the purulent distorted uterus "explodes" internal of
the ferret.
 
5.) It is recommended that the owner of an aspermically studded ferret be
vigilant with respect to the health of the vasectomized mated female
ferret.  Be especially watchful that the vulva reduces in size to its
normal state within one to two weeks following the last copulation and that
no pus or other kind of unusual discharge issues from the vulva-vagina.
The discovery of any unusual discharge should prompt you to seek competent
veterinary medical assistance immediately.
 
6.) Please bear in mind that most if not all vasectomized copulations lead
to a condition known as a pseudopregnancy (PP)or a false pregnancy (FP).
Your ferret will appear pregnant and most if not all the external signs of
pregnancy will be evident.  Following PP, the female will likely cycle back
into a more or less estral state.  The time it takes to cycle back into
estrus again is highly variable, but the appearance of a swollen vulva will
be indicative.  Usually the swelling of the vulva following a PP is less
acute than the initial pre-AS estral display and most female ferrets seem
to bridge over this second, follow-on estral display with the result that a
second AS is rarely required and the ferret does not return to estrus until
the next breeding cycle.  A blood draw to determine the red blood cell
count drop below the normal base line count may offer an indication of
anemia that could have developed at this time, particularly if the little
girl is less than robust compared to her prePP condition.
 
FERRETS NORTHWEST NEITHER ASSUMES NOR ACCEPTS ANY LIABILITY FOR THE
CONDITION OF YOUR FERRET FOLLOWING ITS ASPERMIC STUDDING OR ITS VIRIPOTENT
STUDDING, AS STATED IN THE CONTRACT YOU INITIALLY SIGNED AUTHORIZING SUCH
ACTION.
 
The above information is anecdotal only and is not to be construed as the
dispensation of veterinary medical advice.  However, the experience of the
vast majority of veterinarians is shamefully deficient in this sphere and
few if any have ever performed a vasectomy, let alone provided guidance in
this relatively new field of ferret birth control.  At least this has been
the experience of this writer in the local area.
 
In the event your vet would endeavor to enter this sphere of activity,
Ferrets NorthWest will provide a previously published and color illustrated
paper that describes the basic steps in performing a vasectomy on an adult,
viripotent male ferret.  This paper is coauthored by Elizabeth Ryland, DVM
and Edward Lipinski.  There will be a substantial charge for color
photocopying, handling, and postage.  For ordering a copy, please send
your request to Ferret Endowment for Research, Rehabilitation, Education
and Training Society, NorthWest (F. E. R. R. E. T. S. NW), 4321 86th
Avenue SE, Mercer Island, WA, 98040-4124.  Please allow 4 weeks for
delivery (North America) following receipt of your remittance.  Questions?
[log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
 
Thank you for your interest.  Edward Lipinski, Hauptfuehrer des Baues
F. E. R. R. E. T. S. NW. (und TTFN)
[Posted in FML issue 2692]