I'm sorry to hear about Sammy, Diane.  It's never easy to say goodbye to
our little ones, and when it's sudden and unexpected it's that much harder.
 
I lost my own Sammy in September to liver failure.  He had been going
downhill gradually for six months, so it was no surprise.  But I still
miss my little man.
 
>So far cancer has struck all 5 of my ferrets- with Nipper still fighting
>it.  Can't we all get together and do something about the early altering
>of these little guys?  I have read tons of articles and research on
>ferrets for about 7 years now, and it seems that this is the problem in
>the US which starts at the breeders.
 
I'm not sure it's that simple.  Sammy wasn't neutered till 1 year of age,
but he developed insulinoma and adrenal disease just like my other two.
I too have read of this for over 9 years and wondered what could be done
to prevent these illnesses.  Some say it's early neutering, some say diet,
some say artificial lighting.  But all anyone has are theories.
 
I wish there were an easy answer to why ferrets are so prone to these
illnesses.  It's not fair that these sweet creatures who we love so dearly
are taken from us so soon.
 
With all my sympathy to you, and all those who have lost loved ones.
 
--
John Rosloot, Caregiver to the New Little Ones
With loving memories of my dear departed Buddy,
my precious little Cassie-angel,
And my silly snuggly Sammerman
http://www.cs.uregina.ca/~john/ferrets
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[Posted in FML issue 3610]