Message Number: YG10696 | New FHL Archives Search
From: kath0524
Date: 2002-02-03 10:31:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Cherished Chance

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Moxie <moxieent@t...> wrote:
> After all this heartbreak, we're getting a breeder ferret who
hopefully won't have the bad genetics that my boy had. >

My condolences on your loss of Chance. It is always so hard to lose
one.

That said, I have to comment on your sentence above. I too went that
same route after losing a MF ferret (my very first) to lymphoma, going
through adrenal problems, etc. If you've been on the lists for any
length of time, I think you will have read that those of us who have
ferrets from multiple places have seen no more and no less illnesses
with MF ferrets.

Champ and Blaze came from a reputable private breeder. I thought
the same way you did. I was going to quit getting those "farm"
ferrets and get some that would be healthier. Blaze had exploratory
surgery when she was 3 years, 4 months old. She was eaten up with
cancer (lymphoma) and I let her go on the table. Her brother, Champ,
died from renal failure and congestive heart failure at 4 years and 3
months of age. I won't say that all privately bred ferrets will be as
unhealthy but that certainly was my experience.

I have a MF ferret who is probably 8 y.o. (Cedes). I am estimating
his age based on conversations with his previous (second) owner. He
does have adrenal (bilateral surgery last July) and is currently on
Lupron. He also just developed anemia and we are still trying to
determine the cause. He still war dances and plays. Lany, who is
also from a big farm (Petersen Farms) will be 7 y.o. next month and
had her left adrenal removed in December, her very first illness in
her whole entire life. She is also a Panda, known for their somewhat
shorter lifespans She still bounces and plays.

So, don't get your hopes up that a non-MF ferret will experience a
longer life or will be healthier. That certainly hasn't been my
experience.

Katharine