I was the person that initially brought up this question on both the
FHL and other lists...because I have been told that I am unnecessarily
endangering my ferrets by allowing them to play and swim in the ocean.
 
I've been doing that for about 11 years now.  At no time have I ever
had any problems associated with my ferrets frolicking in the Chesapeake
Bay -- and in fact some of my ferrets relish swimming with me!
 
I have researched this topic pretty thoroughly - both with vets in
private email and on a number of lists available through the internet
(VIN or Veterinary Information Network, IVIS, Google) and have yet to
find any of these conditions associated with anything other than people.
In fact one of the vets I use today commented (after laughing) "well
ferrets commonly get insulinoma, but that is almost unheard of in
people - just because it happens in people doesn't mean that it will
happen in ferrets".
 
As we all well know - people do stupid things - swim in rip currents,
surf in hurricane induced waves, swim too long, dive too deep, come
up from depths too quickly - and I absolutely 100% believe that these
conditions are because of the stupid stuff that people do - and have not
been able to at any time find any documentation that any other mammals
other than people suffer from these conditions!
 
My ferrets are supervised.  I only take the ferrets that enjoy the beach
and the water - and they are bathed afterwards.  I will not force a
ferret into the ocean - and again in the 11 years that I have been
bringing my ferrets, we have never had a problem.
 
I believe that this is a non issue with ferrets.  And I would hope that
before cautioning people about taking the ferrets for a dip in the sea,
that more people research the issue and decide for themselves.  Unfounded
hysteria helps no one...just ask the people that live in California.
 
My 2c as an owner and person that lets my kids play in the Atlantic
Ocean...
 
Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret
The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea"
www.ferrethaven.org
[Posted in FML issue 4340]