From:
Flemming Farms
Date: 2001-02-28 00:21:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Birth defect?
Hi Kris!
Welcome! =)
> she is bent over a little she seems to have a little bump right where
> her rib cage meets, just above her belly. I guess this would be the
> sternum?
That is pretty common in ferrets actually and in the show world they call
them "sternum bumps" (very original lol). Sometimes the way they move (as
you said you can feel it when she is bent over a bit) the muscles don't
"hide it" and you can feel it. This is one thing judges look for at ferret
shows. It is considered a fault. I am not too sure *what* health effects
it has on the ferret - if any. I assume (which I probably shouldn't do)
that if breeders ignored these little bumps they would turn into bigger
bumps. I wonder if the bump throws off the shape of the rib cage where, if
not discouraged, it would change the shape of the ribcage and thus not give
proper room in the ribcage for the organs that need go in there and be
protected? Any ideas?
Amy
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