Hi There I live in France, and have a ferret...what has been said is true- European ferrets do not really suffer from the same things that American ferrets do. For example, ADV doesn't exist here. The most knowledgeable of ferret vets (they call them NAC here- vets knowleageable in Nouveaux Animaux de Compagnie- or New Pets) does not know what it is. One of the reasons for this I am sure is that neither breeders nor pet stores nor shelters neuter or sterilize their ferrets before the age of 7 months. As it happens in the states (i have been told), some or most ferrets are sterilized before their owners get them, just after they have been weaned (2 months). I've done extensive research on this idea- leaving the ferrets intact for as long as possible greatly decreases the chances of his immune system giving up. The ferrets get a chance to HORMONALLY develop to their full potential, giving them a chance to build the immunity to viruses and diseases. Genetic diseases are a bit different i'm sure but so far, very few cases of any major diseases has been noted in frenh ferrets . You'd be surprised to find out that there is an almost non existant rate of adrenal disease- they just dont get it here. We feed them the same stuff- well almost- most people feed high quality kitten food or ferret food- The lighting conditions must be the same, if not worse than in the US, especially in the big ciites (i live in paris) where light is not plentiful. the weather here also sucks which is a big light diminisher. anyway, any more thoughts on this would be nice but thats what i think is the major problem. and in-breeding too, obviously . that causes a whole bunch of junk. lemme know what you think nat and the calypso [Posted in FML issue 3940]