YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE These are some of the possible CONSEQUENCES of Aspermic Studding of your female, estral ferret to one or more of the birth control ferrets at Ferrets NorthWest. 1.) The mating of your female ferret, while in heat or estrus, to a FNW male and vasectomized ferret will likely take your female ferret out of heat, with the result that: 2.) Your female ferret's enlarged vulva will diminish in size and should reduce to non-significance with no further issuance of the liquid that was constantly issuing from her swollen vulva during the time she was displaying her 2nd stage estrus. 3.) There is the remote possibility that the reason for your ferrets swollen vulva and the more or less constant discharge therefrom may due to a condition that affects the reproductive system in various ways, chief of which may be rapidly growing tissue masses characteristic of cancer of various endocrine secreting gland(s) and/or the pancreas. Vasectomized mating will not cure this serious affliction and your ferret may remain in estrus in spite of the fact that she has been mated repeatedly to a vasectomized or even a viripotent ferret. In this latter case her condition would be severely complicated by the demands upon her body to support an embryonic pregnancy. 4.) The consequences of vasectomized mating may also result in an infection of the uterine body of the ferret, a condition referred to as pyometritis. This infectious state may also occur when a ferret is otherwise mated to a viripotent ferret, with the result that the pregnancy will likely be terminated by the unfortunate death of the entire litter prior to the natural birth of that litter and the possible death of the would-be mother ferret in the event the purulent distorted uterus "explodes" internal of the ferret. 5.) It is recommended that the owner of an aspermically studded ferret be vigilant with respect to the health of the vasectomized mated female ferret. Be especially watchful that the vulva reduces in size to its normal state within one to two weeks following the last copulation and that no pus or other kind of unusual discharge issues from the vulva-vagina. The discovery of any unusual discharge should prompt you to seek competent veterinary medical assistance immediately. 6.) Please bear in mind that most if not all vasectomized copulations lead to a condition known as a pseudopregnancy (PP)or a false pregnancy (FP). Your ferret will appear pregnant and most if not all the external signs of pregnancy will be evident. Following PP, the female will likely cycle back into a more or less estral state. The time it takes to cycle back into estrus again is highly variable, but the appearance of a swollen vulva will be indicative. Usually the swelling of the vulva following a PP is less acute than the initial pre-AS estral display and most female ferrets seem to bridge over this second, follow-on estral display with the result that a second AS is rarely required and the ferret does not return to estrus until the next breeding cycle. A blood draw to determine the red blood cell count drop below the normal base line count may offer an indication of anemia that could have developed at this time, particularly if the little girl is less than robust compared to her prePP condition. FERRETS NORTHWEST NEITHER ASSUMES NOR ACCEPTS ANY LIABILITY FOR THE CONDITION OF YOUR FERRET FOLLOWING ITS ASPERMIC STUDDING OR ITS VIRIPOTENT STUDDING, AS STATED IN THE CONTRACT YOU INITIALLY SIGNED AUTHORIZING SUCH ACTION. The above information is anecdotal only and is not to be construed as the dispensation of veterinary medical advice. However, the experience of the vast majority of veterinarians is shamefully deficient in this sphere and few if any have ever performed a vasectomy, let alone provided guidance in this relatively new field of ferret birth control. At least this has been the experience of this writer in the local area. In the event your vet would endeavor to enter this sphere of activity, Ferrets NorthWest will provide a previously published and color illustrated paper that describes the basic steps in performing a vasectomy on an adult, viripotent male ferret. This paper is coauthored by Elizabeth Ryland, DVM and Edward Lipinski. There will be a substantial charge for color photocopying, handling, and postage. For ordering a copy, please send your request to Ferret Endowment for Research, Rehabilitation, Education and Training Society, NorthWest (F. E. R. R. E. T. S. NW), 4321 86th Avenue SE, Mercer Island, WA, 98040-4124. Please allow 4 weeks for delivery (North America) following receipt of your remittance. Questions? [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] Thank you for your interest. Edward Lipinski, Hauptfuehrer des Baues F. E. R. R. E. T. S. NW. (und TTFN) [Posted in FML issue 2692]