Since the founding of Ferret Endowment for Research, Rehabilitation,
Education & Training Society, NorthWest, aka F.E.R.R.E.T.S, N.W. or
simply FNW in 1981, I have found highly benefical the use of vasectomized
ferrets for the following purposes.
(1) Shelter cost reduction,
(2) Income source for the shelter,
(3) Reducing the potential for overpopulation of the ferret (organic birth
control as opposed to surgical),
(4) Elimination of spaying at the worst possible time for the estral
female,
(5) Increasing the number of ferrets adopted (pairs instead of singles)
and thereby increasing the income to the organization, and finally
(6) The ability to schedule birthings without regard to the normal estral
cycles of breeder stock females.
(1) above achieves cost reduction by not being forced to have estral
ferrets spayed as they are turned over to FNW.
(2) A $15 fee is charged to owners of estrals to take their girls out of
heat when the owner is suddenly surprized to find out that the ferret has
not been spayed as previously believed.
(3) Since vasectomized matings are spermless, the ferret population is
static, since no births occur.
(4) Heaviest blood flow possible in an estral ferret occurrs when she has
cut out of her her uterus, uterine tubules, ovaries, and in some cases the
cervix. Blood loss can be severe and the possibility of infection is
considered to be much higher compared to a non-estral spaying. One must
realize that her reproductive system is prepared for the heavy loading of
anticipated embryonic pregnancy and thusly the arterial and venous blood
systems are swollen and ready for the anticipated normal and heavy loading
of pregnancy.
(5) Since it is becoming well known that pre puberty neutering (and
possible inbreeding) has contributed to the estimation that some 70
percent of ferrets, as typified by commercial mass breeders such as
Marshall Farms, are doomed to develop cancer within the first four years
of their lives. FNW has taken the position that in order to permit the
ferret's immune system to develop fully before neutering - it is not known
just how much the pre-pubertic gonads contribute to the maturation of the
immune system - but some believe that taking the gonads early inhibits such
maturation, and consequently increases the susceptibility of the early
neutered (and spayed) ferret.) to cancer of many types. It is for this
reason (and others too) that FNW does not suggest desexing until the
ferrets have experienced mating at least once before they are fixed.
To achieve this mammalian experience, which is deemed exceptionally
healthy, the vasectomized male is essential. This practice also gives a
great deal of assurance that the female is indeed healthy, at least
gonadically. So FNW benefits by suggesting that the ferret adopter adopt
two ferrets rather than just one. They adopt a fertile, intact female of
at least 6 months of age and a vasectomized male of at least 10 months of
age. Thus every time the female"estralizes," the male is right at her
side and they mate, but no offspring are produced. The two ferrets are
typically different colors, and since they are not gonad deprived they
develop to the full extent of a normal ferret and sexual dimorphisim is
maximized; i. e. the male may reach the size of a typical cat and the
female, though smaller, the size of a skunk.
Lastly, in (6) above, the FNW can skip several consecutive estral cycles
without fear that the female will secumb to aplastic anemia. This because
the "vasector" is handy and will most gladly satisfy her immediate need.
In this fashion FNW gives its breeder girls plenty of rest between
consecutive litters and the litters produced are far superior to what may
be obtained from less experienced breeders. In the event you find this
subject of interest, you may want to catch my other posting that deals
with just how to vasectomize your ferret.
Edward Lipinski, who sincerely hopes that you find his postings . . .
ahh, interesting??
[Posted in FML issue 2887]
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