Subject: Research on Ferrets
 
Hi FMLer's,
 
I was wondering if anyone has ever contacted the laboratories where research
is done on ferrets for humans.  In their testing wouldn't you think that the
laboratories run into the same health problems as we do with our pet
ferrets.  What conclusions have they come up with regarding MF, early
cancers etc..  I would think it would be impossible to infect a ferret with
something for testing when it had signs of adrenal disease etc..  Just a
thought.  My vet posed an interesting question; maybe MF intentionally uses
stock that has a shorter life span to accomodate the laboratories, when
doing testing/research I think the animal needs to die a natural death for
accurate results of their research/testing.  I was just wondering if we
could benefit from all the years of research done on ferrets from these
laboratories.  I have 3 MF babies I wouldn't trade for the world, and I
thank MF for them.
 
Jill Owned by
Rupert, Fiona & EB
 
In fact, most of the vets who blazed the trail of ferret medicine did so
because they were the resident vets at a lab animal facility.  MF Doesn't
breed for short life spans, they breed for mass production, just like any
other business, egg laying hens, the meat on your dinner table, etc.  The
diseases come from genetic diversity in a large scale outbred breeding
facility.  If anything, they will give the labs the better animals, they
require good health, reproducable data, lack of variables.  Pet stores don't
care, and most purchasers don't know.  If you want quality, it's just like
any other pet, find the small scale home breeder who will be reccommended by
the local veterinarian.
[Posted in FML issue 2001]