From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2006-03-29 19:04:10 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] a possible genetic route to reducing the risk of estrogen toxicosis for whole females?
To: FHL <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>, ferret-genetics@yahoogroups.com
I have been seeking some info recently for someone who knows an
individual who has not encountered estrogen toxicosis in unbred
female ferrets in heat.
Now, we all know that this varies a lot (noted by Dr. Bruce Williams
as happening in about 50% of the cases, and appears to have a genetic
component involved.*
In _Biology and Diseases of the Ferret_ it is mentioned that at
writing (1998) estrogen toxicosis in M. eversmanni had not been
documented, but I do not know if this is just a lack of investigation
or what, though my impression is that the crosses have been
encountered enough that I would expect data to exist.
As I recall in Ferret-Genetics on Yahoogroups some people have
mentioned having domestic ferrets back-crossed with M. eversmanni,
and I think that I recall reading mention of that cross in parts of
the fitch fur industry.
Does anyone at these two websites have further information on this?
It seems to me that possibly there may be a genetic option which
could improve whole ferret health here, and although we don't have
whole ferrets ourselves (with a family member who is allergic to
whole males but not to other ferrets -- a not unusual situation when
one reads past issues of the Ferret Mailing List) if this has a
chance of panning out then it possibly could help ferrets and people
with whole ferrets.
* http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG3097
> Adopting a female in heat means that you will have vet bills right
> away. The first thing to do is have a complete blood count done at
> your vet - to ascertain whether she is anemic and how bad the
> anemia is. If she is weak, and pale when you get her, the anemia
> may be advanced. However, also remember that only 50% of jills
> suffer from anemia as a result of persistent estrus.
>
> Regarding treatment - if her blood count is over 25%, don't worry
> about the shot - just have her spayed. A shot may be benefitical
> for ferrets with a hematocrit less than 25%, to buy some time until
> she is a stronger surgical candidate. IF the blood is less than
> 15%, a transfusion and the shot will be necessary.
>
> With kindest regards,
>
> Bruce Williams, DVM
>
BTW, adrenal growths also sometimes cause estrogen toxicosis.
In the second edition of _Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents, a guide to
practioners_ you will find it on pages 47 and 48.
Page 218 in _Biology and Diseases of the Ferret, 2nd edition_ but
notice the mention that in Black Footed Ferrets and Steepe Polecats
(M. eversmanni) bone marrow depression had not been documented.
Pages 137-139 in _Essentials of Ferrets, a Guide for Practioners_
(the second edition, by Dr. Purcell)
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