>From:    Sheila Crompton <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Early neutering etc. in reply to George
 
At the start we want to state that we are not meaning to condemn Sheila even
when we disagree (except for one thing we'll note below which was)
 
>I still believe that most of the early deaths in American ferrets are due
>to endocrine diseases.
 
We'd wager accidents cause far more early deaths than any diseases.
Intestinal blockages too are more often indicated in folks asking us for
help than all diseases combined.
 
>George, I take it that you approve of the early spay/castration?
 
Thats a silly comment.  Too many debates here on the FML take this sort of
bend.  Nothing George said implies that he condones early alter.  But we'll
actually state that we agree with Pam troutman on early alters.  It is far
better than pet store sales of whole animals.  The dog and cat world are now
becoming bigger proponents of early alterations.  This is an important tool
in preventing the overpopulation in ferrets that plagues the dog and cat
world.  This tool along with others is reducing the overpopulation of dogs
and cats.  Which is the bigger evil - over-population along with the
necessary euthanasia or a possible but highly disputed link to problems in
some ferrets?  Early alteration has not been linked to any problems in other
species beyond incomplete maturation of body structure and lack of secondary
sex traits (jowls on hobs or toms for example).
 
>The whole point was that breeders such as Bill might be able to ensure
>that their kits were neutered at around 6 to 8 m.o.
 
Sheila, this is pretty much the normal recommendation of most hobby
breeders here.  Some of these still get the same problems with adrenal and
insulinoma.  Even those bred by some fairly loud opponents of Marshall
Farms.
 
>Bob C has covered diet etc in his postings so I won't bother writing about
>the differences here.
 
He actually made a very good argument regarding what might be the real
problems.  Look carefully and you see us echoing him above.
 
>From:    "Stadalski, Carrie" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: hair loss
>What would it be if he's slowly been losing a patch at the top of his front
>right leg?  He seems a little extra itchy, lately, (all over) but there's
>no fleas.
 
This sounds like a "self inflicted balding".  Probably chewing.  Stress.
Boredom.  A really weird sense of fun.  Figure out what changed and try to
correct it.  It could be related to the loss of freinds if that was about
the time the scratching and chewing started.
 
>From:    Jazmyn Concolor <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Marshall Farms
>Besides, from what I understand, the bloodlines raised for labs are
>DIFFERENT then the pet bloodlines, which are raised for temperment...I've
>heard the lab bred stock is somewhat more 'agressive'..
 
We've heard the opposite and tend to believe that there isn't a seperate
breeding going on.  Labs would want the better temperament for their own
needs too wouldn't they?  We doubt any of the "fancy colors" go to labs but
thats likely the only real difference.
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2222]