From:
putorius@aol.com
Date: 2002-03-05 09:19:00 UTC
Subject: re: Zevron on ferret longevity and disease
Having just put down our little female "Beeper" yesterday morning...I felt
compelled to answer your question. YES they do...and a lot more than they
should...certainly compared to populations in Europe. Could be lack of
genetic diversity in the Canadian/US populations (perhaps the originals
brought from Europe and bred here had the "leanings" toward endocrine
problems that seem to be so prevalent in our pets here). That is one
theory...there are many more and I am sure that Bob Church could expand on
your question.
I do know this: Out of our original 12...three have passed to the Rainbow
Bridge at 5 years or younger (3, 4.5 and 5)...two males and one female.
The 3 year old male...a sable... (from local breeders) most likely suffered
from a bile duct occlusion (considered an anomaly I guess) as the postmortem
showed nothing else and the duct was blocked.
The 4.5 year old female...a sable...that passed yesterday (from same local
breeders and a sister to 3 year old) had massive liver failure (never
poisoned that we know of) and was put to sleep without a "lap", since she was
too weak to undergo surgery.
The 5 year old male...a dark eyed white (from a Canadian breeder on the west
coast) had one Adrenal procedure (left side and done by Cryo) at age 3 and at
5 had metastisized cancer everywhere and was let go on the table during an
exploratory. AND they go bad so fast...it really is here today and gone
tomorrow. At least none of them suffered for more than a few days as we
tried to figure out treatment.
That's three out of the 12...
As for the living ones...
Bodie......male...light sable... almost age 6...(from same Canadian breeder
as the 5 year old above) adrenal tumours both sides...left removed and right
reduced by Cryo surgery once. That was two years ago and he goes back in
this Thursday for more of the same...he may have to be let go on the table,
altho he appears to be in relatively good shape. Our new rule is...if there
is spreading cancer...it is more humane to just not let them wake up from the
surgery.
Clyde...male...sable... almost 5.. from a Eastern region Canadian breeder.
One Adrenal prodedure a year and a half ago...he goes in this Thursday as
well for yet another Cryo on his adrenals, although he appears to be totally
healthy, but has developed the overt symtoms assoc with adrenal problems. He
also suffers from the early stages of Insulanoma.
Casio...female...sable...almost 5...sister to Clyde. Helicobacter and
assorted gastric problems for the last year and a half. Periodically has to
be re-treated.
Bounder...male...silver mitt...almost 5...from same local breeder above.
Same gastric problems as Casio. Very healthy and has totally rebounded for
the time being.
Brando...light sable...almost 4...same local breeder above..multiple renal
cysts that are drained by external methods every 6-7 weeks or so. He has
responded very well and the sessions to drain appear to relieve his
discomfort. BUT...sooner or later he will stop taking the anesthesia
well...and then we will have to go in and do what we can.
ABBA...female...light sable...almost 5...Lymphoma and on a treatment of Pred
and Vit. C...buying her a few more months. She has rebounded and is eating
and playing again, but that is only temporary.
That leaves only three that have had no major health problems!
Bopper...female...sable...almost 4...same local breeder above.
Cyndi...female...silver mitt...almost 4...same local breeder above
BonBon...female...silver mitt...almost 4...same local breeder above.
When we first decided to take ferrets into our lives, we had no idea as to
the bredth and depth of their health problems. We have made the committment
to give our existing kids the best care possible. It has cost us thousands
of dollars in the last few years...but that has been offset by the love and
devotion that these silly little furballs bring into our lives...lives that
would be far less rich if it were not for them.
As for the future...we have made the decision to keep only a single pair of
the little guys in the future. But for now...we love all we have.
Putorius