This has been some week!  Earlier, during a wind storm (up to 100 mph) the
neighbor's tree fell, pulling out out my cable, phone and electric.  All
have been fixed, but I am having a very hard time staying online from my
house, so I finally broke down and fought the mass of geeks, dweebs, and
nerds at the library for a spot at a computer terminal.  (Ok, I was ONCE a
geek/dweeb/nerd, but NO MORE!  I now have long wavy hair and am way cool)
When a machine finally opened (i.e., someone lost at online computer games
or was caught calling up dirty pictures) what did I get?  Aaaaccckk!  A IBM
clone.  (spit that word right out of my mouth and wash it with soap.) But
here I am anyway, sending this message via eudora.
 
Oh yeah, in my last post I spelled homologous two different ways.  This is
the right one.  Not with an 'e'.  Either my hands were dyslexic or the
keyboard had a mind of its own.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
 
Q: Why do ferrets take so long when they mate?
 
A: Because they are not that good at playing chess.
 
Actually, it is because the females are induced ovulators.  Although once
they go into heat they stay in heat, that has nothing to do with ovulation
and the release of eggs.  It just means they are ready to ovulate.  The
prolonged mating and associated rituals stimulate the female to release her
eggs, and since the male has been there the entire time, he can be sure to
be the Da Da.
 
I have read one paper that suggests the bone found within the penis of the
ferret has at least three functions in mating.  1st, it helps when hydralics
fail (I don't need to draw a picture), 2nd, there is a slight hook on the
front end of the baculum which might help to "latch" the male within the
female, and 3rd, to stimulate a cluster of cells within the female which
speeds the release of eggs.
 
This is why the use of vasectomized males is so effective at bringing the
female out of heat.  Just makes the eggs drop, and the female comes out of
heat naturally.  (Same with the shot, but chemical rather than mechanical)
 
Q: Do you know any Missouri breeders? What about vets?
 
A: No, I drive to Oregon for all my ferret needs.
 
I have posted this here, because I lost the address to respond directly.
Long story about a dumb guy.  Anyway, remail me and I'll respond personally
about the breeders because I'm not comfortable with putting that info on the
FML.
 
As for the vets, I go to St.  Louis when possible.  There are two that are
very good with ferrets.  I go to the Howdershell Animal Clinic in
Florrisant, MO.  If I can't wait two hours, I go to the Horton Animal
Hospital in Columbia, MO (I don't have my address book at this terminal, so
I can't give the names and numbers, so e-mail tomorrow.  The phone company
has promised to re-refix my line by then.
 
I have to tell the truth; I feel good about most vets.  I've heard all the
stories about bad ones, but in reality, back on earth, they are damn good.
I think every serious ferret owner should have their own copy of Fox
*Biology and Dieseases of the Ferret*, and I have even given one to one of
my vets.  I take it with me, as well as a copy of Pam Greenes FAQs, and
photocopies of the latest journal articles, everytime I go to a vet, even
the ones I trust.  Just like with medical doctors, too often we give our
decisons away.  Don't!  Take your info with you, and together you and the
vet can do the best job possible for your ferret.
 
BTW, the vets on this list are among the best I have ever encountered.  They
are here from love alone, and considering how much we bug them, it must be a
lot of love.  Remember my confession about being anal-retentive about
references?  I print out each of "our" vet's comments, and put them in a
3-ring binder by subject.  That goes to the vet also.
 
Last, start a medical history on each of your ferrets.  All you need is a
cheap notebook.  Write down everything; weights, color of poop, the date you
noticed the hair falling out in clumps, etc.  Memory sucks compared to a
notebook.  If done consistantly, it could contain the clues that could save
your ferret's life, or at least make diagnosis easier and faster.
 
Mo' Bob and 18 Runnin' Freakin' Jumpin' Hairballs (missing Gus)
[Posted in FML issue 1742]