Edward wroye: "..... And add this to the puzzle: Fifty dogs and/or cats are altered compared to each ferret, yet we see no obvious ferret-like maladies in the K9's or felines, correct? Why this dichotomy, Pilgrim?" Edward, Indeed the soup is incomplhete with early neuter! What has been documented in other publications is that the ferret at age 5 weeks (when neutered for pet shop sales ) as compared to development of canine puppies - is 3 weeks of age. That alone in physical development is a big factor in the compromises on the development of healthy ferrets. In other species - ie dogs, cushings disease is more prevalent these days.. in part due to neuter/spay times being pushed up (now at younger ages). Likewise, I predict, that since SPCA shelters are now spaying kittens at 6-8 weeks of age opposed to the 6 mos. they used to be spayed/neutered at, , in a number of years (5-7) you will see many more issues with cats -- bladder infections, renal conditions etc. Early spay neuter does / will compromise the healthy development of living beings. Hormonal obstruction - destruction has huge ramifications to overall health of all beings! I tried to argue this in 1999 to HSUS who pushed for the early spay/neuter of kittens but was merely one voice! Alicia www.ferretwise.org [Posted in FML 6162]