Regarding ferret breeders in FLA: All but 2 of mine have been rescues.
I have been active with 4-5 different ferret rescues over the years.
I too was disheartened at the health issues - adrenal, lymphoma,
insulinoma, IBD, etc. and decided to look for a good breeder in FLA.
One was recommended to me as being well known for her healthy, long
lived ferrets but, when I tracked her down, she had retired, due to age
and health issues, and she referred me to a lady in Georgia, who had
purchased most of her best breeding stock. So, I contacted the Georgia
breeder, and travelled there to get a ferret ... the place was
immaculate, and her ferret breeders and offspring were plump, shiney
and good natured. So I came home with two of hers (guaranteed non MF-
full family tree for several generations provided as part of the sale)
and with a rescue (kept in a separate building by law up there) that I
couldn't leave without.
Well, they were just wonderful ... BUT they both developed adrenal
problems, one also developed insulinoma, and a mild cardiomyopathy as
well. They were unneutered and not descented, and I waited until they
were 6 months old to neuter (spay). They were fed Totally ferret (the
best available back then), my vet specialized in exotics and was VERY
ferret savvy. They lived in air-conditioned comfort, with plenty of
darktime (the thing back then). My best buddy also purchased two from
the same breeder - between us, we have had almost 30 ferrets. To sum
it up: so far, according to my experience, breeding, diet, darkness,
vaccinating vs not vaccinating, have had no effect on longitivity or
overall health. My longest lived ferret was a backyard rescue, bred
by Marshall Farms, who spent his first 4 years in a foul outside pen,
eating Alley Cat cat food ... he developed an adrenal tumor at age 8,
had the surgery, and lived almost another year - when his cagemate
died, he just gave up and followed her .... I currently feed my last
two a mixture of Totally Ferret, Wysong for Ferrets, and Pretty Bird
Gold, and they both get melatonin implants. The older one, Bailey, had
one adrenal tumor removed before I started the implants. The younger
one, Harley, was started on melatonin prophylactically ... he is now
4 years old, so far no signs of adrenal .... Bailey is adrenal again,
will be on lupron + melatonin until he passes ....
As crazy as I am for ferrets, these two will be my last ... I too
cannot stand the heartbreak ... I have spent a fortune (literally
thousands) on my fuzzies, and never begrudged a cent - just the
heartache of losing them all too soon, no matter what ... IF someone
comes up with a healthier ferret, I'll be in line ... till then,
wishing you and yours good luck and good health ....
[Posted in FML 5485]
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