From:
WOLFYSLUV@aol.com
Date: 2003-02-17 00:12:21 UTC
Subject: complications from WS, KIT, etc?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <12a.22ed1500.2b8182e5@aol.com>
Someone posted and asked what possible health problems should they be
prepared for with their blazed ferret. Well, that is a question I have
absolutely agonized over myself since owning blazes. We don't have studies
that I know of have researched whether or not there are indeed health
problems to look out for in ferrets. What we can do, is look at studies in
other species online such as with dogs, cats, and even people to see what
they have found. I think its not very accurate or scientific to generalize
those studies over to another species. But I got to tell you, no matter if I
am looking at a study of rats or humans, the features seem to be surprisingly
similar. The health problems they find are also very similar. On the other
hand, I am not seeing a whole big bunch of ferret owners with blazes and
pandas saying that they have this or that defect and disease to support that.
Which leaves me just scratching my head. Trying to generalize things over
is difficult also because as Sukie pointed out, there are many points of
mutation and pathways to mutation to not just one disorder that results in
pigmentation changes but several. Who's to say your ferrets markings are due
to WS, KIT, or another disorder, and how can we know what path led to that
syndrome? Complicated isn't it?
I have a survey that is being written up as we speak (I keep changing
it) and a very very generous young lady is donating her know how and time to
get this questionnaire up on my site very soon. I am asking a host of very
simple questions, to see if we see any patterns to explore concerning the
health of such ferrets. I"ll post it here, when its done.
In the meantime, what are many of us hearing online about any health
problems when there are any? Well, GI is one of them. A narrowed GI tract
leading to a higher incidence of blockages in uncommon cases. I wonder about
other GI problems as some write me that they can't quite pin point what is
going on with their ferrets. Keep in mind..... that GI problems are
prevalent in all ferrets (there are many diseases that strike this system).
Another was blindness, later in age. I read this one much of the time mostly
with the DEWs. But I have not experienced it myself. What problems are they
listing on websites about these syndromes when dealing with other species?
Stomach tumors and hosts of other things, that I'm just not seeing in ferrets
really. Yet ... yet I do see a slightly shortened lifespan. But who knows
why that is.
I've had to just stop and relax and enjoy my ferret. There is no reason
they shouldn't live a good and reasonably long life. Maybe it won't be more
than five years like some ferrets. But I can hope I'll have one that will
spike nine, right? I've had to just keep it in the back of my mind, that if
I see anything go awry with my ferrets and if anything cannot be explained by
a vet, to perhaps investigate the WS and KIT aspects and look for some clues
and answers.
At this point, what it boils down to, is to enjoy your ferret. There is
not "life altering" disease or affliction that is impending or that your
ferret is doomed to. They are not ticking time bombs that we know of. :)
Complications? Just maybe. Deafness, even possible cataracts or blindness
maybe. These don't necessarily have to be considered a handicap, and they
certainly are not a disease. My only hesitation is the GI thing ... to just
watch out for hairballs, which you should with any ferret. :)
Gosh I feel like I"m missing something here ... it's the weekend and I'm
not thinking very clearly. I know this does not answer you question very
well, and I"m very sorry. I wish I had the answers.
Wolfy
Wolfy's site has MOVED to:
http://wolfysluv.jacksnet.com/