Message Number: FHL4369 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "Tressie"
Date: 2008-03-24 14:50:41 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] surgery for cataracts in ferrets??
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com


I have a DMK rescue under a year old, she is developing cataracts. She
has two biological sibs who are currently in a MaFF foster home. I will
be picking them up April 6th. One of her sibs also has cataracts.
According to J. G. Fox (1998), Biology and Diseases of the Ferret -
cataracts can happen if kits are fed a mink diet, which the DMKs were
of course. I am not aware of any other DMKs who have developed
cataracts and presume that mine had the genetic predisposition already
and the mink diet exacerbated the cataract formation.

I have not found any information that says cataracts in ferrets can be
removed surgically. I recently read about a tiger in a zoo in China who
was born with cataracts and a human eye surgeon successfully removed
them. Wondering whether anyone is aware of anyone doing cataract
surgery in ferrets?

I realize that ferrets that go blind can manage quite well in a familiar
environment - but given they are not even a year old, I assume quality
of life could be immensely improved if their cataracts could be removed.

Thank you!

Tressie









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