>From: Sheila Crompton <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: De-scenting, early neuter and endocrine diseases etc We think we mostly agree but have some differences in opinion. >Ferrets in the USA have about 30% less life expectancy than ferrets here >in the UK. You should be asking why the discrepancy? We aren't really convinced that such a difference really exists. We don't trust the numbers on either side of the pond. Some American vets in researching why American ferrets seem to have more problems are talking to vets elsewhere ad finding that American ferrets don't actually have any exclusive on problems. This includes finding all the common problems in British ferrets. Sounds like we have to somehow really get better information. For what its worth we no longer have any descented ferrets. There seems to be little difference based on descenting. We think the early altering might contribute to shortened lives although its an unproven hypothesis. >Breeders such as Bill Killian could help to improve the lot of US >ferrets. We try. It is what good breeders are supposed to be about. >Bill, do you neuter ferret kits before selling them? In general no. If we end up placing a kit after he's some 6 months or so old though we will. >What I would like to see is the price of neutering included in the cost of >the kit, and a clause added to the bill of sale to the effect that if the >ferret remains the property of the breeder until it has been neutered at >6 to 8 months of age. Hmm... Better have a legal type analyze how that would fly in American law. Several breeders here do have neutering clauses in their contracts. Such as the cost is $150 up fron t with $50 to be refunded upon proof of neutering. Pam Troutman used such as clause for example. bill and diane killian zen and the art of ferrets http://www.zenferret.com/ mailto:[log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 2206]