In regards to the ongoing sagas which seem to never end on the issues of
healthy ferrets and the Marshall Farms Issue... I would like to address the
FML readership from a PERSONAL point of view.
 
We purchased four ferrets within a six month period from a pet store right
after they became legal in NH.  That was late Jan.- early Feb. of 1993.  To
date we have a bi lateral adrenal patient ( our #2 purchase male) and
initial hairloss on ferrets #3 and #4.  While I am NOT pointing fingers AT
any one source these ferrets have always had: 1.  great nutritional support
( fed Marshall's own brand for 2 years, subsequently changed to Totally
ferret in summer 1995); 2.  have lived in a stress free environment; 3- have
not been fed sugar or other substances that would affect their health; 4.
and have not been exposed to any known chemical or known viral inducers.
These animals have not ever been in a shelter or exposed to ferrets of
unknown origin.  How so then do you explain after 3.5 years of great care
and love all these ferrets from the same supplier are either evidencing
symptoms of adrenal disease or have had to have surgery for the same?  I
know we paid the sum of $149.95 for each of the initial four animals and did
not expect that they would require surgeries and unproven treatments that
are comparatively expensive.  More important is that WE ARE TALKING ABOUT
LIVING CREATURES who now are suffering medical problems.  And if I myself
have 3 from the same time period of litterdom then there certainly are more
out there experiencing the same.  I did sit in on surgeries in this samll
rural area just three weeks ago when 6 ferrets age 3- 3.5 years all had
adrenal surgeries.  All true are in the same area-- rural SWNH, all are
about the same age, all are marked with the same tattoos.  Coincidence??
Two of the six were diagnosed as bi-lateral conditions.
 
I believe that there is an answer out there-- I also believe that those who
have vested interests in MF, whether it be for political or monetary gain,
will try to stifle any issues at the onset of questioning.
 
I believe that IT IS NOT what side of the fence you are sitting on, NOT WHAT
AFFILIATION YOU BELONG TO, but rather THE CONCERN FOR THESE LIVING CREATURES
THAT SHOULD be the paramount issue.
 
I WILL NOT go into points on how MANY shelter animals reaching 2.5 to 4
years of age all bearing two dots in the right ear have needed surgeries and
many are now bi lateral-- adrenal diagnosis within just the past few years
not just here but in shelters acrioss the country, we have all seen posts
and more .  Yes, there can be varying reasons, and stress MAY be part of the
problem... but then again it COULD be genetic and it COULD be the early
neutering process.  RESEARCH will tell us why.  WIll the PRODUCER support
the research?
 
I am asking all of the competent and caring owners who as we are now,
experience their pets falling victim to this affliction -- this dilemma to
stop - reflect and take note as to why would a healthy ferret being cared
for properly have to have it's life cut short or the quality affected so
greatly.  The issue needs to be addressed to Mr. Killian and others out
there that feel it is insignificant.  The numbers are not insignificant.If
he and others are true shelters he should also share more concern.
 
If you choose to wait for answers so be it-- I would like to hear from you
all in 3-4 years.
 
Perhaps then we will have more in common to chat about!
 
>I would say there are elements of the ferret world that thrive on this.
>Its why I think we have propaganda against Marshall Farms and United Vaccine
>so overly promoted as major tragedies.
[Posted in FML issue 1758]