Bob C Stated: >Q: "Out of eleven ferrets, six of them (55%) have or had serious medical >issues while four of them (36%) have died from those issues. Out of >four dogs and two cats, for example, we've had only ONE animal die from >a medical condition. That's a 16% mortality rate.... So the underlying >question to all of this is: Why are ferrets so darned sickly animals?" > >A: Well, first, all animals have a 100% mortality rate, at least >sooner or later. And if they didn't die from "unnatural causes" (car, >poisoning, shotgun), then they DID die from a medical reason. Even if >an animal dies quietly while sleeping, THAT is evidence of a serious >medical problem that ultimately killed it! Hi BOb-- I was reading your FM post and I am certainly amazed that in all your response you never ever brought up the possibility that these animals (that yes perhaps live longer then the wild cousins subject to prey) have a drastic demand put on their entire functioning systems when they are spayed / neutered at a prematurely young age for the sake of marketing. In infancy the gonad system is removed from the body -- depriving the pituitary of hormonal feedback and depriving the immune system of the benefits of hormonal input. This most assuredly does play a role in the overall development of the individual animal. Late alters have much denser bone mass and more enhanced musculature in the LEAST! This hormonal deprivation intervention indeed will take a toll on the adrenal system and the pituitary and it's sub system including the thyroid making longevity a challenge! Never mind the effects that stress will play over the animals life with the increased demands on the adrenal system. Also in the gut -- the toxins as well as the nutrients are absorbed and passed on to the liver for filtration and the kidneys too-- if we are giving these kids chemically treated treats and foods that is a more toxic matter for the liver & kidneys to cleanse form the body... while the liver is restorative, too much attack for unhealthy ingested matter - along with filtering anesthesia, internal infections, etc., can play a part in the health of the animal re: liver dysfunction - kidney dysfunction and finally failure of the organs. May I be bold enough to state that dysfunction is not measured in the vets office- only failure- that liver dysfunction can be present even with marginal low readings? That to date little is done to support dysfunction of the organs... A non functioning pituitary will cause low blood sugar I was intrigued to learn this -- interesting for those insulinoma cases where surgery was unable to detect islet cells! I learned a great deal at a recent weekend seminar -- and it reinforces the facts to me that the kibbled diets are insufficient we really need to bring out the meats as treats and supplimental feedings at a VERY early age. Also the spay neuter at any age will play a role in the health of the animal- - I am just surprised none of these issues were addressed -- you merely equated it to animals live and animals die some will live longer ! I always look at it as -- there is an immense problem - what is causing it and what can we do better! Not quite what I expected to read! Alicia [Posted in FML issue 4132]