>On a more interesting note, I was browsing the newest issue of Critters >USA, a yearly publication showcasing small and fuzzy critters. On an >advertisement towards the back of the magazine, there was a picture of >a ferret, black and white spotted (like a rabbit), with six toes on each >foot. It's face was primarily white with one spot over the left eye, and >his eyes were jet black. I found this both unusual and disconcerting. The extra toes are polydactyly. Luckily, they usually are not associated with other mutations in mammals, but at times the extra toes can cause problems with mobility, balance, etc. Some causes of polydactyly are associated with multiple health concerns that extend way beyond foot ones, such as GI tract malformations and more. Strongly non-bilateral head pigmentation can be a very bad thing to encounter. In multiple mammals -- including at least one past line of ferrets -- it has been associated with defects of the aortic arch and consistent early deaths in that line from circulatory damage. (That line was culled by sterilization, which is the right thing to do.) Nor is spotting a good thing. There are posts by geneticist, Dr. Brett Middleton and others in both the Ferret Health List Archives and in Ferret-Genetics which go into health problems which can be associated. Dr. Middleton has even stated that he wishes people would concentrate on coloration instead of markings. It's safer usually. If someone really IS breeding for these things that person should take the time to learn about some genetic cautions before breeding. Hopefully, the person is not breeding for these things and careful culling is being done. This one has warning signs all over the place; I hope that people are smart enough to read them. Folks: if someone wants to sell you a ferret like this either take the little one for free in anticipation of future health problems or ask to be paid to take it if you think that you might not be able to afford special care. ---- Little one, Andy, the reason you can't have more than a taste of grapes or raisins is because for some reason they have been causing sudden kidney failure in ferrets and dogs who have too much of them. No one knows why, but it is something recent (so may be a fungus that hasn't been common before, or a new farming product, or something else). No one else seems to have this problem but you ferrets and dogs do. It is one of the things that Dr. Kawasaki will be talking about in the upcoming International Ferret Congress Symposium (info at http://ferretcongress.org and while you are these if you want to read about grapes or raisins and dogs use the ASPCA Poisoning Help Site link in the critical references and you'll find it). ---- Alex wrote: >One came up to my husband, put his hand on my husbands shoulder and >looked up, saying in a hushed voice, "satellites falling.....got to be >careful", then shuffled away. No, no, it was "Satellite's falling..." and therefore a clear reference to Lily's interaction with the vat of woad! Tut, tut! She is so pretty as a blue girl. Now as long as she doesn't go lifting her kilt to taunt any enemy combatants... [Posted in FML issue 4637]