Message Number: SG5692 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Alicia
Date: 2003-08-07 14:27:53 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] when to spay?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
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