>From: "Pamela Freeze" <[log in to unmask] >Anyone ever have ferrets that don't get sick? How do you do it? I lost a 9 year old in April, and currently have another 9 year old who was diagnosed with Adrenal and lymphoma in April. Both ferrets had never been sick previously. They have free roam in a room and never get any artificial lighting unless I have to go into the ferret room at night. Both were feed a high quality kibble (The last few years Chicken Soup for the Kitten Lovers Soul) until they both switched to partially cooked ground chicken "soup" and stopped eating the kibble. Neither was vaccinated after 2 years of age. I believe that played a role in their long span of being disease free and old age. Overvaccination and the use of chemicals and poisons can,and does, affect the health of our pets. It is but one part of it, but a bigger part than a lot of people are willing to open their eyes too. While on that subject I would like to mention for those that do not know, if you get a ferret of an unknown vaccination history and it is older than 20 weeks of age, it is unnecessary, useless, and harmful to do a 'series' of vaccinations. The series of vaccinations is only given to young animals that may still have maternal antibodies that interfere with a vaccination 'taking'. If the animal is past the age where maternal antibodies would still be present, there is no need for a series, and subsequent vaccinations can actually lessen the immunity and you could make the animal more susceptible to the disease you are trying to protect it from. I believe some people and even some shelters, still do a series of vaccinations on an older ferret and the ferrets do not need this added stress, and the money for the unnecessary vaccinations could be spent where it actually is doing good instead of potential harm. A series is not necessary at all actually. One vaccination after 16-20 weeks of age would assure almost 100% of all ferrets vaccinated would be past the maternal antibody stage and the vaccine would be effective. I don't expect people will start forgoing the series any time soon though, just like annual boosters are still recommended, despite information showing that is an unnecessary and harmful practice. Maybe some attention to the things we can change that affects the health of our pets (diets,vaccinations, chemicals/poisons, husbandry) would go a long way in lowering the numbers of unhealthy animals with diseases and health conditions that are considered 'normal'. Ask older people about how they used to raise their animals and the lower incidence of diseases back then, and the answer is there as to why health problems are on the rise. ~Amy~ [Posted in FML 5702]