Message Number: FHL3496 | New FHL Archives Search
From: ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2008-01-09 18:07:17 UTC
Subject: Re Breeder Markings? and Adrenal rates Re: [ferrethealth] Digest Number 1020
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com



In a message dated 01/09/08 5:29:27 AM Eastern Standard Time,
ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com writes:

What are the markings for the breeders?
What are the breeders besides Marshall's?


**If you're referring to the tattoos that MF puts in the ears, they have two
tattooed dots. Occasionally a dot on one of the feet. I don't think Path
Valley (another farm breeder) tattoos at all. Pretty sure Triple F and Carolina
Ferrets don't either.

Personally, I consider them farms. They are doing large-scale production and
are selling to pet stores and (sometimes) individuals without screening
purchasers. The small-scale breeders that I have been fortunate enough to work
with as I established my own breeding program are a totally different
proposition, as they are incredibly careful about who gets one of their babies, the
babies are handled from birth and are not sold until a minimum of eight to ten
weeks old (most keep them until ten or later, unless placing a kit with another
breeder who has kits of the same age for their baby to socialize with). None of
them that I am aware of tattoo or otherwise mark their kits, although some do
microchip them.

If you are looking for breeders, try the AFA site (_www.ferret.org_
(http://www.ferret.org) ) for a listing.

On rates of adrenal disease, personally, the vast majority (probably about
thirty or so) of the ferrets that I have had that came from a pet store have had
adrenal disease. Some of them have had it later in life, but more than one
developed it before three years old, and one had had two surgeries for adrenal
disease by the time she hit a year of age. None of the privately bred ferrets
that I have had (about forty, ranging in age currently from 4 months to six
years) have developed adrenal disease. Same lifestyle, same light exposure - I
have to put it down to genetics and the effects of early altering/stress of
shipping on the pet store babies.

As a veterinarian, I'd say that 60% of the early altered ferrets that I see
will develop adrenal disease in their lifetime, some younger than others. But
that's my impression, not from actually pulling charts and doing the math.
Not sure anyone has actually done the math.

Dr. Ruth

*****************************************
Save lives - spay or neuter your pet.



**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.
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