We've never lost a ferret to adrenal surgery; of course we've had fine vets. Have had many go a number of years afterward with happy and healthy lives. Never had an early adrenal growth in one of our crew till this year (at age 3 and 1/2); the earliest before was at age 5 years. Unless a ferret has something contraindicating surgery we always have surgery done; if it's contraindicated then we find if there is a medical approach appropriate to the individual's needs. It has been interesting to read from more people who have experience in relation to Kit and Caboodle. Bill and Diane Killian know a good deal about breeding and are reported to carefully cull lines when that is called for, so I hope the new owners of K&C take that advice into account since they note that a number of the lines in the purchased stock should be culled. (Their takes are based on strong experience.) Perhaps they will even have the Killians or others help them learn how to best breed in ways which take into account health, longevity, and personality. Do hope so. I was glad also to learn that they have perhaps 3 to 5 years of experience, but do wonder how someone can go with only that as a base-level into breeding hundreds and do so safely. Hope their plan is to follow lines for a while and do responsible line-culling before selling, but know that they likely will not be able to afford that unless they have other income. If they can afford that hiatus it would be the best approach. Certainly always hope that breeders continuously improve record keeping and the following of lines for the essentials. Am left with the same concerns from what I have read today, but not with the same feeling of urgency unless there start being reports of irresponsible actions. Am not wild about farms in general; they simply can't follow lines and have other reasons for concern. Farms are still typically better than backyard breeders since past a certain point they at least have federal inspections. Anyone know off-hand what number causes this point to be reached? If I were going to buy rather than donate and adopt I'd still prefer a responsible and loving small breeder who carefully follows lines for the essentials like longevity, health, and personality. We adopt, though, and urge others to also do that to help ferrets and shelters. Pat asks: >How do you advertise ferrets as being long lived when this is the first >year breeding them? You are taking the word of the previous breeder. >Did they track every kit and know this for sure? These are excellent questions for anyone new to breeding. Perhaps they mean to wait on sales, follow lines and then breed only the ones which are medically robust? If so, that would be very welcome news. If not, then IF they are saying these things without good enough records to logically make the claim they should drop the claim, follow the kits (at least randomly and in large numbers), and aim to have this health criterion as a GOAL. [Posted in FML issue 3208]