Q: Do MF ferrets really have more problems than other ferrets? A: Only in a Jungian sense. There are two major features of MF ferrets that I have noticed. The 1st is known by most, that there *appears* to be a high incience of adrenal tumors in MF ferrets (to me, not scientifically proven, but may still be observationally real). The 2nd is rarely mentioned, and that is MF ferrets tend to be smaller than breeder ferrets. Usually, if mentioned, this is attributed to early neutering, which is probably partially true. Sometimes people suggest private breeders breed them bigger, but most breeders I have met (and please take *NO* offence for this statement) know a lot about getting ferrets pregnat and pushing the puppies out, but few know much about husbandry or simple genetics. I doubt if many size differences are actually caused by breeding, other than random. I think undernutrition may be a factor for both MF ferret size AND later observed disease rates. Think about when the kits are shipped out to pet stores; most are about 7-8 weeks of age, but I have seen kits as young as 6 weeks in pet stores, based on tooth development (The worst I've seen was from a private breeder who sold kits at 5 1/2 weeks). These kits are being shipped out at a delicate point in their development, right in the middle of a growth spurt for most. They are stressed from mother and sibling separation, neutering, introduction of disease during shipment, confinement, and shipping. Many have only been weaned for a short time, and some have difficulty with the hard food supplied during shipment, provided it is not spoiled. Remember, undernutrition can be caused either by not getting enough to eat, OR by not eating enough of the supplied food. Different reasons, but idential results. These things *have* to have some sort of impact on the little beasties final size and health. Personally, I think many of the so-called problems are more perceptions than reality (boy am I going to get mail on that one!) Kind of like a cold; it might only get me for a week, but you are sick for SEVEN days, so it is much worse! Some are observationally real, but not reality; I see 10 red cars when 15 drive past, so I say most cars are red. My observations may be correct, but the reality may be 1 car in 10 is red and I just viewed a biased sample. So, in other words, I think early neutered ferrets, physically and mutritionally stressed during a major growth phase, will be smaller, and perhaps display more metabolic problems later in life, REGARDLESS if they come from MF or the local breeder. So the problems reported in MF ferrets may not be problems with the ferrets themselves, but with the way they are being handled by MF; the resulting perception is MF ferrets have something wrong with them. Do I think these are the only factors? Nope, I think shelter ferrets might have a higher percieved incidence of disease for a number of factors; little interaction and touching, scant exercise, proportionally more sick ones rescued, even an unknown virus. In other words, I *don't* know because no one really does. More research has to be done, long term studies, and an open-door policy from MF. It also requires us to be open minded to alternative explanations. Bob C and 20 MO Power Poofers [Posted in FML issue 2103]