From:
Steve Austin
Date: 2003-10-30 01:44:29 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] ?? new ferret and ECE
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <23506867.1067479396933.JavaMail.nobody@chromium.smartgroups.com>
There is no good data to show the farm ferrets are more prone to
disease than any other in the US. However, the general hypothesis
is that adrenal disease is probably multi-factoral -
early spay/neuter coupled with stress of early weaning from parent,
and too much light. Many homes keep ferrets inside and expose
them to high levels of light day and night.
Another interesting theory, the pigmented neural crest cells that migrate
while the embryo is developing are not only responsible for
color and in the inner ear to aid in hearing, but also in the gut and
adrenal
gland. Maybe breeding for our fancy colors ( blazes, pandas, white
spotted
ferrets) has increased the incidence of some genetic component
to adrenal disease as well?
All just theories.
Now, for insulinoma, most people are agreeing the high carb diet
of the kibble is a big factor.
Also, ferrets just have a shortened life span, so as they live longer
they are more a more likely to have something, in other words,
something has to be the cause of death eventually.
Prevention:
Make sure the ferret gets at least 8 hours of uninterrupted,
darkness a day, no lights on at all, dark place to sleep.
Later alters??
Later weaning??
Melatonin implants, or liquid Melatonin daily??
Insulinoma prevention: no sugary treats, more meat diets, low
carb food ( so maybe this new food coming out with about
3% carb only will be the new wave of ferret foods) ??
Natural diet??
No one knows for sure, so if you want a ferret, be prepared for
later life medical issues. Starting a saving account is a good idea.
ECE is a viral disease, it has little or no signs in a younger ferret.
It is usually this younger ferret /or pet store ferret that introduces
it into a home. Once your ferrets have all had ECE they shouldn't
get it again. A young ferret should also be fine with it.
Patty
On Wed, 29 Oct 2003 09:58:55 EST Cjbandit@aol.com writes:
> Is it true that most ferrets will fall prey to these diseases??
> anyway of
> avoiding them?? are they more likely to come from [Name removed by
> moderator as per the rules] ferrets
> where they breed the ferrets at too young of an age??
>
> When we got Feifal-- Bandit became very ill with ECE-- how do you
> prevent
> this from happening when introducing a new ferret -- what
> precautions can
> you
> take-- anyway of detecting if the ferret your going to purchase has
> ECE??