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Post by mustelidmusk on Aug 22, 2010 23:34:18 GMT -5
Joan, Many thanks for your informative response. I'm very impressed with your dilute-free bloodlines. A quick look into the bloodlines of the American show ferrets suggest that the genetic pool is not all that diverse, and dilute colors are commonly present in their bloodlines - even with the sables. At what age/timing do you recommend altering ferrets? I'm so frustrated with the adrenal thing...It makes me nuts since I've tried the late alter option along with "controlled" lighting. No, I have not been 100% perfect with lighting since I work long hours and sometimes must disturb the lighting cycle to feed them. As such, I probably should not own ferrets until I retire since I don't have control over my work hours,. Either that or deal with adrenal disease Anyway, I would love to move you to Denver......shoot, I might even be able to afford if if I didn't have all the adrenal bills!! -jennifer
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joan
Gnawing on bones
Natural Ferret Breeder
Posts: 57
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Post by joan on Aug 24, 2010 7:55:56 GMT -5
I've looked at numerous pedigrees of US show ferrets over the years and I'd agree that there is not much diversity when looking at an extended pedigree, due to the constant outcrossing. The imports in recent years may have added some genetic diversity, but most are from German blackself background which is notorious among European breeders for poor health and a high rate of lymphoma.
Your experiences with the late neuters are typical of the inquiries I've received for the past several years from potential buyers looking for kits which are not related to the US show ferrets. They were tired of dealing with the health problems of the early neuters and assumed that paying a high price from a show breeder would get them a healthy, long lived ferret...and found out otherwise.
Re age of neutering, I recommend that they not be neutered until after they have gone through a complete breeding cycle, as a study showed that there is one last hormonal surge prior to their first breeding season. Allowing them to mature sexually does seem to help in either delaying or preventing adrenal disease from developing.
I recall reading a study done in the Netherlands several years ago that indicated ferrets show overt signs of adrenal disease about 3 years after they were neutered, give or take 6 months either way. IIRC, this applied to both early and late neuters. I also seem to recall either hearing or reading about research showing that late neuters (done at 6-8 months) have the same rate of adrenal disease as do the early neuters. I'd guess that the hormonal surge at the time they would have come in heat would affect their adrenal glands adversely, regardless of their age at neutering.
I very much doubt that short periods of artificial lighting would have that much effect or be responsible for adrenal disease developing. I usually have the light on in the ferret room for 10-15 minutes at night when I give them their evening meal. You might consider using amber light bulbs in their room, as that supposedly doesn't block the production of melatonin.
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