Dear Holly, you wrote: >It is still very controversial as to what actually causes adrenal gland >disease in ferrets Yes indeed the jury is still out on this one. I know of later altered ferrets who have also developed adrenal problems at age 4-6 years, HOWEVER I have known NO ferrets who have had adrenal problems at age 6 mos to 3 years who were not early altered. 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) . These changes over time can effect the physical health in many ways - these cyclical stressors though benign to us humans weigh far more impact on the ferrets being. Please keep in mind the MAIN functions of adrenal glands is to A regulate adrenaline for fight and flight, B regulate blood sugars & salt levels. Constant stress means the gland works overtime.... working hard for long periods of time may most likely cause insufficiencies! you wrote: >Now I have also read that angora ferrets have a lower incidence of tumors >compared to other ferrets. Do not believe everything you read. Take the weekly rage sheets at the grocery checkouts for instance- (no martian babies have been found in US as of late) Just because an advertisement reads so -- does not mean it is the truth. Afterall they are trying to convince you to buy and expensive imported ferret who has been neutered for sale at 6 weeks of age just like the US pet shop ferrets! You are quoting an advertisement from a pet store above not a scientific study report! . In fact many, many of the angora ferrets who first arrived 4-5 years ago neutered at 6 weeks of age have and do have adrenal tumors... I have seen a number of them. just my 2 cents! Alicia [Posted in FML issue 3594]