From:
Steve Austin
Date: 2002-08-06 03:09:04 UTC
Subject: Sick kids...and what are we doing wrong?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <20020805.230909.1792.20.kazpat1@juno.com>
I am glad your ferrets are healthy, that is what is important.
I don't think anyone can answer your questions without
a controlled study. There are probably many factors involved.
As far as incident of disease we only hear from sick ferret owners
here, and about the unusual cases. There are probably thousands
of ferret owners without a problem who don't post about the
ferrets being well, so it looks like more disease is out there, but
is it really?
I have 9 too, many are rescues. I have insulinoma in a private
breeder ferret who was late neuter, and may be early adrenal.
He did well with surgery for the insulinoma, but he had insulinoma
signs show up within 3 months of coming to me.
I have 3 ferrets of at least 5 years old with adrenal, all three were
rescues, and developed signs within 1 year of taking them ( one
had signs when I got her). I had one rescue with insulinoma that
came in ill, over 6 years old, and she died. I had one that
was from a pet store and had adrenal surgery at the age of 2. He
was showing signs the first year after I got him and spent a year
in the store before he was sold. I have 6 that are healthy, ages
ranging from 1-6 years old. Most are under 3. The numbers don't
add up because I lost two. So, 50% had a health issue, but
only a little less than 10% were young when the health problem
came up.
Anyway, I don't do anything special, they are on a good diet, get
exercise, and a ferret room for play, they don't get bottled water,
get their vaccines annually. I have not had lymphoma yet, but
you know, it is probably a time thing, they have to die from something
at their old age, I don't expect them to all make it to 8 or 9 without
problems. I bet it is the same with humans, and there are children
that get horrible cancers, may be environmental, genetic, viral and
other factors that contribute so I think juvenile lymphoma is like
that. Insulinoma and adrenal in a young ferret makes me wonder
about genetics (let's say young is less than 2 year old).
Patty
ps. I saw a study that is linking a viral infection to breast cancer,
well trying to ID the virus and prove the link. So as science finds
more genetic markers for cancers and more viral triggers we
shouldn't find it hard to believe the same can apply to our ferrets.
> The question I would like to ask is why does it seem that so many
> young age ferrets are coming down with old age diseases - lymphoma,
> adrenal, insulinoma...? Does anyone think it is diet related
> including the quality of water? Or how about vaccinations - do you
> think this contributes to cancer growths? We all know the value of
> a BARF/chicken gravy/duck soup diet - but what about the quality of
> ingredients that we use? Specifically commercial bought meat
> (chicken/beef from commercial grocery stores) and all the growth
> hormones that are used in production.
> In ferrets we trust, Tanya
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