Well, Sterling, there really is no real proof that these very early surgeries are a cause of adrenal problems even though we DO believe that overall, these surgeries cannot be beneficial and appear to cause a less developed adult. You may be right about the adrenal connection, we just don't know yet. But we should try to NOT to jump to any conclusions as utter certainty. I am really happy to hear about the adopting out of a few MF "retired" breeders. Unfortunately, that still leaves thousands and thousands to die way before their time. THe numbers are boggling. MF is taking a tiny step in the right direction. Hopefully, it is not a "token" step to sway public concern. Sorta like Denny's hiring a few black supervisors to mask years of racism and pretend everything is ok. They learned the hard way that wouldn't work. Perhaps MF will show some true foresight and humanity. They have the facilities and unique opportunity to help in many ferret health issues. Of course, if MF is only interested in a "product" with a well-defined obsolescence (read life span), they do not need to. Their growth, unfortunately, substantiates that it's already long enough to make sales, again and again. Time will tell, Sterling, time will tell. Meanwhile, way too many ferrets are being dumped into pet store bins too soon, and sold to completely uninformed patrons too often. Good luck to Lydia, and to all the other Lydias' there are and those yet to be. best wishes, until next time, alphachi [Posted in FML issue 1931]