Message Number: SG5692 | New FHL Archives SearchFrom: Alicia
Date: Thu, 07 Aug 2003 10:27:53 -0400
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] when to spay?
Message-Id: <5.1.1.6.2.20030807102018.022c9ec0@mail.usaexpress.net>
>.....
>My question now is, when do I spay her? I know ferrets reach maturity at
>six months. Do I wait until she shows the very first signs of going into
>heat -- regularly check and then spay immediately when her vulva first
>begins to swell? Or is it unsafe to wait that long? If so, when do I do
>it? I don't want to wait until she begins to go into heat if it will
>damage her health, but on the other hand I want to wait as long as possible
>so she gets the maximum health benefits from growing to adulthood unspayed.
Hello Natasha-
I am only one person but here is what my theory is:
In spaying a jill I feel it is best to wait until after the first heat-- at
that point the body is fully mature, all hormonal peaks are
reached. However there is ( IMO) a certain method of accomplishing
this. If you spay a ferret in full estrus you get a ferret who is PMS-y
they seem to get locked into a protective - nurturing mode and can be
nippier and seemingly hi stressed. I have personally observed this with
both my own and with close friends whose gals went into estrus just
previous to the scheduled spay.
What I have found makes a great difference is this: Once the vulva
enlarges with the first signs of heat- make a vet appointment and have
administered the HCG injection. Then wait 44-45 day and spay which means
you make the appointment fo4r 44-45 days at the time of the injection so
the appointment is waiting for you!
By getting the spay done at this time the ferrets body has tripped the
hormonal clock-- because the birth process would take place on day 43. The
ferrets we have spayed in this manner have a much more docile personality.
Now I do admit this is just my opinion on how I would accomplish the spay
process for the optimal personality & health. There are perhaps others who
have other experiences. Best of luck-- Alicia
Send comments to Pam at pjdutche@email.unc.edu. Please note that this address is only useful for questions about the FHL archive. Questions about ferret health, or those intended for the FHL, should be sent to the Ferret Health List.