Alicia writes:
>I have known NO ferrets who have had adrenal problems at age 6 mos to 3
>years who were not early altered.
 
My Cookie, from a private breeder, was spayed at about 6 months of age,
and she started showing adrenal symptoms at 2 1/2 years old.  Her cousin
Buttons, a year older and also neutered at about 6 months old, started
showing symptoms at the same time (so he was 3 1/2).  They both had
adrenal surgery about 6 months later, left adrenals removed.
 
>And indeed there are other factors to consider- stress levels are one of
>the highest.  Artificial light more so I believe because it causes a
>change in the animals physical cycles- ( naturally the animal would be
>exposed to natural light cycles)
 
This is what I also suspect.  I now keep my cages covered.  I'll let you
know if it seems to work in 4-6 years when we see what happens with my two
young girls!  They were neutered at 8 months when they went into their
second heats.  Of course the going through false pregnancies may effect
the outcome.  Darn, I may have to get more ferrets for further testing...
 
Linda Iroff
Oberlin OH
Attend the Ferrets 2002 Symposium in Las Vegas!
http://ferretsymposium.mdex.ca
[Posted in FML issue 3595]