From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-11-13 17:39:56 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Genetics
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
HUH?
I think that you have experiencing some confusion and thinking that the possibilities are the norm here. They are NOT.
Yes, there are some early adrenal growths here, and certainly some early deaths, but
that is NOT the norm.
In our home -- and all but one of our ferrets have been early neuter through the years and the vast majority from a range of farms originally (though we sure would like to have ones from breeders who breed for longevity) our typical lifespan is sometime in the 7th year through to middle 8th year. The ones with neural crest markings seem to usually age earlier and die younger, though, usually late 6th year in our family for those.
We have had only a rare smattering of ferrets who got adrenal growths younger than the age of 6 years old, and no early insulinoma ones at all.
We've had ferrets in the family just shy of 25 years.
15 years ago or so we had a higher percentage of ferrets in general on the older arm of the longevity bell curve, and did not have that second and younger bell curve for the neural crest genetic variant fancies when they groups were split.
Households seem to vary greatly here in terms of how MUCH adrenal disease or insuliunoma is seen and when either presents itself. I suspect part of that is husbandry differences and part may be choices of what appearance is present in the family ferrets. We provide a lot of darkness and have never been a "starch treat" home, as well as providing as much exercise as possible -- though our home size and finances limit that.
At least two people I know here (US people who are not breeders) typically manage longer lifespans and later onset of illnesses. I have not done comparisons with both, but one is able to provide an incredible exercise and general living area dedicated to the ferrets (something which is economically impossible for us) and his ferrets very often live to be 9 or 10 years of age. That makes sense; for multiple mammals exercise and not falling into sarcopenia (poor muscle tone and lack of muscle) have been TIGHTLY linked in multiple studies to lowered rates of a wide assortment of hormonal malignancies, lowered cardiovascular illness rates, improved retention of cognitive abilities, improved balance and flexibility, and a lot more. Exercise -- both physical and mental -- is a cornerstone of good health.
Author wrote:
> Thankyou Shirley for the post it was very interesting it just seems that in the USA and other countries are experiencing the problems in young ones and ferrets not making it beyond 3 yrs that is very sad I would love for the discovery of what is actually causing these adrenal and other probs thnx again regards Belinda
> "S.Hewett" <smhewett@dodo.com.au> wrote:Hi Belinda,
> We do occasionally get adrenal disease and insulinoma here in Western Australia, but in ferrets over 5 years old.
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