Well, I have now heard of TWO (only) pandas or blazes who made it to normal
life-spans (KNOWN ages, NOT estimates).  Dick Bossart had one which firmly
came into a normal life-span by being in the 7th year, and Alicia had one
that just squeaked in by being 6 years and 8 months.  Am still looking to
find any which reached over 6 and 1/2 in age.  So far it's a real minority.
Glad that Vickie will be looking further into this and hope other groups
also will; breeding pandas and blazes to anyone simply may not be
responsible for the ferrets' health if such proportions continue.  It may
turn out in the long run if this trend continues that they should be culled
from breeding.  'T'aint good.  Ferrets should be getting late 6th year into
mid 8th (with some older and some younger) like they commonly did less than
20 years ago.
 
Remember what problems the extensive breeding for unusual traits caused to
the health of dogs and cats!
[Posted in FML issue 3207]