In the U.S. fitch is the term which is used for ferret pelts by the fur
industry.  It also has been used in some areas to refer to polecats.
 
Fitch has a Middle English origin from the Middle Dutch word for the pelt
according to the Oxford English Dictionary.
 
Also:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Fitchet
says:
 
> 1.
> (Zool.) The European polecat (Putorius f[OE]tidus).  See Polecat.
 
which is echoed by
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/fitchet
 
-- Sukie (not a vet)
Ferret Health List co-moderator
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
FHL Archives fan
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org
International Ferret Congress advisor
http://www.ferretcongress.org
[Posted in FML issue 5134]