Fritz, Kurt, Inga, Bumper, Deanna Troi, Max, Dax, McCoy, Daniel, Treacle, Bill, Ben, Lily, Cameron and today's 'rescue' Stumpy raised the question "What's a Euro ferret, mum? We're British!!" Bob Rudich wrote:- >Another question for you is since the Euro ferrets are so disease free, >what do they die of? After making a few phone calls I got some answers for you: They get shot! they get chopped in half with spades! Sorry I'm sinking to your level of sarcasm and we all know it is the lowest form of wit! OK let's be serious - I was attempting to raise some valid questions re why do ferrets get the illnesses they suffer from and get a sensible debate going and seeing that you seem to object to the light hearted articles in the FML I would have thought that you would have jumped at the chance !!! (Quite frankly I enjoy the crazy, zany touch of the 'ferret wedding' - it helps to control the depression and sadness after reading about little ferrets such as Foggy - as a psychologist you should be able to appreciate that! A psychologist friend of mine keeps ferrets because they relieve her of the tensions of the job!) *British* ferrets do get cancer, about 45% in the 6 years + group. Some get AD, mainly down in the south of England - many thanks to the mink for this! Some get TB, tetanus, cardiomyopathy, and most of the other common ferret ailments. Some even die of old age at around 14. British ferrets as far as I can ascertain do not go in for Adrenal Disease - one shelter I spoke to this morning had a suspected case, 1 case out of 100 ferrets. another shelter has a ferret undergoing tests for Adrenal Disease - one out of approx. 300 ferrets. I'll say it again. does early neutering have any bearing on Adrenal Disease? Can we please get some sensible replies perhaps Bob Church would like to comment? (BTW I enjoy reading your postings BC.) Most British ferrets are neutered around 6 to 8 months or later. >What does a jill do if separated from her kits at say 6 weeks? Most nursing mothers like to get away from their kits for a little while maybe 10 minutes or so but they are appear to be rather edgy until they get their family back in sight. A kit is weaned at 6 to 8 weeks - how about making sure that the kit is really strong, sturdy and old enough to have its' distemper jabs before adopting it. Of course, one thing I did forget was that a heck of a lot of ferrets are bred in 'factory conditions' and probably do not get the stimulation and attention they would get from the breeder with just a couple of jills! I suppose shooting the babies out into the wide world at 6 weeks does increase the profit margin! Instead of cradle snatching how about obtaining ferrets from a shelter? I did have 15 ferrets when I woke up this morning but the family has increased with the addition of Stumpy a young albino hob, possibly last years kit from the look of his teeth, a phone call from an anxious, caring lady who had found a ferret and was reluctant to release it into 'the wild' sent my SO and myself dashing across Bolton to collect the lad. Paw Paw don't let spoil sports upset the 'wedding plans' - thanks for the comic touch, let's face it you have to be slightly mad to have ferrets! It's strange how some people object to 'ferret speak'. Sheila Bolton Ferret Welfare & Newsletter Editor of the National Ferret Welfare Society of the UK The opinions expressed by me are not necessarily those of the NFWS [Posted in FML issue 1610]