From:
Ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2004-08-29 22:21:05 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Digest 28 Aug 2004 18:11:11 -0000 Issue 771
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <126.49a031f4.2e63b0d1@aol.com>
In a message dated 08/28/04 2:11:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
ferrethealth-digest-help@smartgroups.com writes:
It really breaks my heart that breeders would put a death sentence on these
wonderful fuzzies just for the ole mighty dollar. Yes, panda ferrets are
beautiful, but really there is no such thing of an ugly ferret.
Having had a number of both blaze and panda ferrets (currently owning two
pandas, two blazes, and a used-to-be-a-panda DEW), as well as descendants of
blazes and pandas, I feel that I have to correct a bit of misinformation here.
Yes, there are some genetic and health risks associated with some of the
panda/blaze colorations and that is a concern to think about - it is by no means
associated with all of them. My DEW is over five and winning championship
ribbons at AFA shows against the one and two year olds. A blaze that I had
previously never showed any signs of health problems until her sudden death at over
seven from an undiagnosed bleeding ulcer. The others that I have had died
from various problems, but I would not consider them to have been particularly
unhealthy.
As a breeder myself - breeding bloodlines known to have pandas/blazes in them
is pretty much unavoidable. Somewhere back in there you're probably going to
find one or more. The key is the overall health of both that ferret and the
generations after it, and you will find that most of the private breeders are
very careful to monitor and keep health records. Just as with dogs or cats,
the thing to do is find a breeder whose practices you are comfortable with.
Dr. Ruth
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Puppies kiss better than most people.