First, hypothyroid is so vanishingly rare that among a group of renounced ferret specialists I know only two ACTUAL cases have ever been mentioned and those could be the same case for all I know. These are NOT current cases. One vet has mentioned that sometimes what might APPEAR to be hypothyroidism is actually thyroid suppression from a hyperactive adrenal, and adrenal problems certainly are COMMON in ferrets. For the thyroid figures, so that your vet can check the blood test results, look in the 1998 edition of James Fox's _Biology and Diseases of the Ferrets_. I am not a vet but the topic has come up in recent discussion with a group of ferret-expert vets. Waardensburg is seen in a very WIDE RANGE of mammal species, but I agree that she might find the most detailed references by starting with the human references and possibly with the cat ones. Common Sense is being mentioned a LOT here recently. We've had reminders that parents are ultimately repsonsisble for their children's welfare which should be a no-brainer, that people should be sure that anyone offering info or advice actually has a background or references or both, and more. Well, common sense is coming up again, and since WE'VE ALL GOT SOME if never hurts to know how we can help ourselves and our ferrets. The relationship this time? I'm afraid that there are going to be evangelicals on both sides of the treatment debate yelling at Deb Kemmerer, either because she has used and uses some forms of alternative treatment, or because she questions others. Her figures on mean ages of human survival over long expanses of times, BTW, seem to be very close for the human figures, though there have been a number of peaks and dips along the way depending on harvest sizes, population stress, plagues, water sources, lead in diet, and a number of other factors (Many of these are in locations and times when you would NOT normally expect them given the pictures our school history classes often paint.), so depending on what period or place a person chooses it is possible to make it look like her argument is off, but remember that she was talking of the ENTIRE recorded pre-Western med portion of our past in case someone tries that. I'll be frank here and say that I haven't worked with this kind of stuff in a GREAT number of years so am going on memory and don't have numbers in front of me. A LOT of people seem to be confused about what is a "fad" and what isn't. A FAD is a fashion. Nothing more. An observation should make people prick up their ears a bit more. An observation by a trained professional is even better, yet. Among OBSERVATIONS by trained professionals one with related references to back it is best. This is referring to INDIRECT references. How do you tell a trained professional? One trick is to look for someone who presents ALL sides of the picture -- good and bad. Still, even then, what is being described are ONLY OBSERVATIONS! STUDIES are the best. Sometimes a study may not be on the given species, as when people have generalized from humans to ferrets. Remember then that this isn't always reliable. After all, you might use zinc lozenges, or take Tylenol, or eat marine fish, take fiber powder, or love corn, but any of these (some in large amounts, some in any amount.) can be dangerous for ferrets -- some very, very dangerous. Remember to take the "info" given with a large grain of salt when species lines are crossed. In STUDIES UPON THE APPLICABLE SPECIES, those by a trained professional are the best. There are a number of so-called studies out there (NOT speaking of Pam's survey or the other adrenal surveys here because those involved with the projects made a point of letting people know their possible shortcomings and were completely honest and above-board.) on a range of things from supposed genetics to health and maintenance matters. Go for actual hard studies by those trained in the related fields. Even then you can go one better. The VERY BEST are STUDIES BY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ON THE TARGET SPECIES which are SUPPORTED BY CONFIRMING STUDIES BY OTHER TRAINED PROFESSIONALS. Obviously, with ferret medicine having so little done so far, these will be hard to find for a while, but over the years things will improve. (Even in this case sometimes a series of studies will be questioned by a new study which might muddy the waters for while till it's known if the new study is seriously flawed, or if it points out an aspect or subset which will improve understanding in the long run. So, basically: 1. Look at ALL SIDES of a picture. EVERYTHING in life has multiple sides. 2. Weigh the arguments noticing where they fit in the continuum described above and who is making them. 3. Recall Grandma's reminder that "Anything which seems too good to be true probably is!" 4. Use your common sense. 5. Discuss this with your veterinarian. In the end it all comes down to that. There may be health concerns, or a conflict with a needed medication, or some special health consideration for a given animal which might make a certain thing just plain too dangerous. A VET EXPERIENCED IN FERRET MEDICINE is going to be THE person who is your ABSOLUTE BEST SOURCE OF INFORMATION and THE BEST JUDGE OF WHAT YOU SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT DO. [Posted in FML issue 2563]