Dear Bailey,
First, let me remind you that only living creatures behave.  Once again, I
like to keep the lines of demarcation between business and people very
clear.  Secondly, to the best of my knowledge, expert opinions are not
anecdotal and are accepted references even though they do have limitations,
as do all sources.  Now to move away from the numbers, let's see if I can
clear up the Linatone/Ferretone thing AND the MF life span thing for you as
I know it to be.  As I stated the most recent posts concerning these
supplements, Vitamin A toxicity is only a hypothetical issue.  While the
high fatty acids content, according to some very honorable sources, do
present a very real threat to the digestive system of fuzz butts, and these
sources have reported actual cases.  These fatty acids can cause
maldigestion, steatitis, and associated digestive disorders.  How often this
actual occurs is very difficult to acertain because one, the insidious
nature of these disorders and two, in many cases upon withdrawal of these
supplements in the very early or mild cases any presenting symptoms appear
to remit and basically all systems return to normal.
 
The MF life span thing along with other MF issues have long been discussed
and debated in this forum.  As far as your legal concerns, I am willing to
let the chips fall where they may.  Getting actual proof or a "smoking gun"
prior to any action is so incredibly difficult with the present state of
affairs [recent history bears this out, without the documents of tobacco
companies that took TWO DECADES to surface and the covert taped
conversations of corporate executives concerning minority groups, these very
viable cases had little in the way of the proof you appear to be requiring
concerning these ferret issues.  I second your call for studies.  I would
love to have the pilot studies, the confirmation of prolonged and repeat
studies, and a final meta-analysis so I wouldn't have to direct so much
personal effort into comprising my own judgment.  However, it has been my
experience that even with all of the above, there is still plenty of room
for debate.  I realize, as I hope all of us do, that we are treading on grey
area.  Unfortunately, Bailey, I am guessing you are probably old enough to
realize that little in reality is "black and white", requiring us to use
*all* of our faculties and leaving us to rely not only on the judgments of
others, but also the judgments of our own making.  So once again, if you
choose to regard trained and experienced vets as having "pelting opinions",
"conjecture", or "banter", "ranting" and not up to your standards, that is
your right to do so.  After being involved in research and academia for more
years than I care to admit, I have learned to listen to less than "perfect"
resources.  In fact, I have yet to encounter a perfect one.  If you also
wish to choose to wait to come to any preliminary conclusion without a study
to tell you right from wrong, or what action to take, or what is appropriate
to discuss, I can only sympathize with your dilemma.  I value everyone's
opinion on this forum, including yours.  I believe we all have something to
contribute.  For me, the very purpose of this forum is to discuss these
issues openly, freely, without the oppression or fear of the close minded
and lofty malcontents.
 
Bailey, I understand your concern and frustration, however, may I suggest
that we let each of us police our own ears and eyes, and draw our own
conclusions as to what is fact or fancy, what is hysteria or hard reality?
Actually Bailey, the only one appearing to use a host of pejorative rhetoric
during this exchange is yourself.  Why do you feel so compelled to do so?
Please forgive if I am wrong in this observation.  Whether you are 15 or 50,
above or below, I am willing to listen to whatever you or anyone have to
present in the way of opinions, feelings, experiences, or observations, but
it would be alot more pleasant and clear without all the attached
characterizations and just plain negative stuff.  I hope we all can bring
our personal experiences to the "table".  Can you be comfortable with that,
Bailey?
 
Best wishes,
until next time,
alphachi
[Posted in FML issue 1895]