| Best Ferret source...opinions - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| Jim Williams |
We recently lost our little one, Gwen recently and although we will probably
give ourselves a little time before getting more ferrets, I thought I would get
a few opinions on the best place to obtain ferrets.
Gwen was a Marshall Farms ferret, which we purchased from a local pet store.
Although she had a very healthy life until the illness that took her recently,
she was only about 5 1/2 years old when she left us.
Is there anything we could do or look for in the future that might lead to a
ferret with a longer lifespan? To be honest, we are looking into probably
getting our next fuzzies from a shelter, as I feel that it would be good to
give a home to some that for whatever reason have been left without one, but
in case for some reason that doesn't work out, what is the best alternative if
we wind up purchasing our next little ones?
I have heard some theories that the very early spaying or neutering done on
commercially bred ferrets might be the cause of some of their health problems,
particularly females...would it be better to buy one before this is done from a
breeder, and have it done a little later in life? Are there any breeders that
seem to have a better track record than others?
Opinions and advice would be appreciated.
Jim & Kathy W.
|
|
|
| older molly |
Jim Williams wrote:
> We recently lost our little one, Gwen recently and although we will probably
> give ourselves a little time before getting more ferrets, I thought I would get
> a few opinions on the best place to obtain ferrets.
>
> Gwen was a Marshall Farms ferret, which we purchased from a local pet store.
> Although she had a very healthy life until the illness that took her recently,
> she was only about 5 1/2 years old when she left us.
>
> Is there anything we could do or look for in the future that might lead to a
> ferret with a longer lifespan? To be honest, we are looking into probably
> getting our next fuzzies from a shelter, as I feel that it would be good to
> give a home to some that for whatever reason have been left without one, but
> in case for some reason that doesn't work out, what is the best alternative if
> we wind up purchasing our next little ones?
>
> I have heard some theories that the very early spaying or neutering done on
> commercially bred ferrets might be the cause of some of their health problems,
> particularly females...would it be better to buy one before this is done from a
> breeder, and have it done a little later in life? Are there any breeders that
> seem to have a better track record than others?
>
> Opinions and advice would be appreciated.
>
> Jim & Kathy W.
>
FWIW I think that adopting a previously unwanted ferret or two is a
wonderful memorial to your 'Gwen'. I am sure she would approve.
All of mine are rescues and they have great temperaments.
|
|
|
| jumpingmouse02@earthlink.net |
I agree with Molly on this one. I swear, I think they KNOW and appreciate a
home when they get it. I've heard this from so many people. I had a
situation here this time with Kylie only accepting a kit, but my future
ferrets will all be rescues or shelter ferrets. They are soo grateful for a
good home and love. Turnip, the one rescue I had, was undoubtfully the most
wonderful little guy I could ever have asked for. He literally made me a
better person just for having spent time with him. You can read about our
relationship and how special he was here:
http://home.earthlink.net/~jumpingmouse02/id1.html
My other boys were great too.....I don't mean to take anything away from
them, but Turnip was.....just special.
jumpingmouse, kylie & gilbert (still squirtin' poop :-(
"older molly" <oldmolly1955@REMOVETHISbitches.co.uk> wrote in message
news:c5pfq301ktf@enews3.newsguy.com...
> Jim Williams wrote:
>
> > We recently lost our little one, Gwen recently and although we will
probably
> > give ourselves a little time before getting more ferrets, I thought I
would get
> > a few opinions on the best place to obtain ferrets.
> >
> > Gwen was a Marshall Farms ferret, which we purchased from a local pet
store.
> > Although she had a very healthy life until the illness that took her
recently,
> > she was only about 5 1/2 years old when she left us.
> >
> > Is there anything we could do or look for in the future that might lead
to a
> > ferret with a longer lifespan? To be honest, we are looking into
probably
> > getting our next fuzzies from a shelter, as I feel that it would be good
to
> > give a home to some that for whatever reason have been left without
one, but
> > in case for some reason that doesn't work out, what is the best
alternative if
> > we wind up purchasing our next little ones?
> >
> > I have heard some theories that the very early spaying or neutering done
on
> > commercially bred ferrets might be the cause of some of their health
problems,
> > particularly females...would it be better to buy one before this is done
from a
> > breeder, and have it done a little later in life? Are there any breeders
that
> > seem to have a better track record than others?
> >
> > Opinions and advice would be appreciated.
> >
> > Jim & Kathy W.
> >
> FWIW I think that adopting a previously unwanted ferret or two is a
> wonderful memorial to your 'Gwen'. I am sure she would approve.
> All of mine are rescues and they have great temperaments.
|
|
|
| KG |
I don't think it really matters in the end where your ferrets come
from. As long as they are healthy and you love them.
We've got an 8 yr old MF ferret here. I've lost rescue MF ferrets as
young as 3. I've had private breeder ferrets live to 8, 9, 10, 11 yrs
and lost some as young as 4 yrs old.
Giving a home to a needy rescue is a really good idea. They are the
ones most in need of a loving home. Breeder kits are adorable and I
find them hard to resist. My last 2 additions were private breeeder
kits. I'm rehabbing a MF albino girl. She's turned around and is
waiting for her rescuer to find her a forever home. I suppose I could
if the rescuer wants me to look.
I am familiar with one of the ferret farms that sold breeding stock to
MF a few years ago. Those ferrets were hearty healthy creatures. I
have 2 ferrets from that farm. 1 died at 8 and the other is probably
around 3 yrs old and recently fixed.
KG
jimw1956@cs.comnojunk (Jim Williams) wrote in message news:<20040416112350.22121.00000430@mb-m06.news.cs.com>...
> Is there anything we could do or look for in the future that might lead to a
> ferret with a longer lifespan? To be honest, we are looking into probably
> getting our next fuzzies from a shelter, as I feel that it would be good to
> give a home to some that for whatever reason have been left without one, but
> in case for some reason that doesn't work out, what is the best alternative if
> we wind up purchasing our next little ones?
>
|
|
|
| Tom Jones |
We were told by the owner of the shop where we got Boris & Natasha (we think
they are probably littermates) they they were from a Canadian source. Both
of them are very large, healthy and very well behaved. It remains to be
seen if their lifespan is greater, they are only about 1.5 years old. I've
commented here on Boris' size; he wieghs right at 5lbs. and is over two feet
long. Natasha is smaller, but still outwieghs Penny, our other female, by
half a pound.
Our other pair, Gadget & Penny, are both MF. Gadget was a sort of rescue;
his previous owners were military and were transferred overseas, so they
gave him back to Lynn, our pet shop gal, from whom they had perchased him.
Penny was purchased from a shop in a local mall, and came with a MF
certificate. Lynn had always dealt with MF in the past, but has started
dealing with the Canadians because, she says, the animals seem to be of
better quality and demeanor.
Gonzo, a MF boy we got from Lynn over a year ago, passed away at about 5
months of age due to lymphoma. He is the only ferret who has left us, and
losing that little sausage was very hard. When never bothered to collect on
the MF warranty; at the time, it just wasn't something we felt like going
through. I did, however, write a letter to MF some time later detailing
Gonzo's passing, just to add to their knowledge base, if for no other
reason. They did offer to replace him, but we passed. He was Gonzo, he
couldn't be "replaced." Also, by that time, we had already got Boris &
Natasha, and four is about our limit, for now.
That's about the extent of our experience with different sources. Hope it
helps.
Gadget, Little Penny, Boris & Natasha
db
"Mark Steele" <msteele@aspenres.com> wrote in message
news:10800u4op5vg1d6@corp.supernews.com...
> I'm sorry to hear about Gwen. :-(
> Your story about Gwen is similar to my Frosty that I lost 3 years ago when
> she was only 5 1/2 years old as well. Frosty had a cagemate, Bandit, since
> they came home at about 6-8 weeks of age. Bandit was lost without Frosty
> so we went to a ferret shelter to find Bandit a friend - we came home with
> two.
> The nice thing about ferret shelters is that I could let Bandit play with
> various
> ferrets and see which onces she got along with. One of the ferrets was
only
> interested in Bandit in a way that Bandit didn't want (Bandit was a female
> and this other ferret was not). Two others were very happy to be out of
> their
> cage and just ignored Bandit. Another pair were interested in Bandit and
she
> in them. They played together very well so they both came home. We lost
> Bandit a year later and Onyx a month ago. Sprite is now the old ferret in
> the
> bunch at around 5 years old but doesn't always act that way.
> The down side to the ferret shelters is that you (and they) don't always
> know
> the history of a ferret. We have no idea how old Onxy and Sprite were when
> we adopted them. We don't know what problems they may have had or
> treatments.
> I will say that both Onyx and Sprite have been two of the sweetest and
best
> behaved ferrets I've ever had. The good of these two little fuzzbutts is
> much
> better than the unknown of age or health problems (Onyx had quite a few).
>
> Regarding Marshall Farms ferrets. I've been told that MFF chemically
> neuter the kits at a very early age. This lack of hormones in their system
> will stunt their growth. I have had 5 known MFF. Three of them have
> had adrenal problems (Frosty, Bandit and Onyx). Sprite and Indy are
> the other two known MFF and they've had some runny stools and colds
> along they way, Indy has coccidia (sp?) right now so the whole group is
> being treated and we're trying to get her to eat and drink.
>
> I recently brought home two babies from Canada where they surgically
> alter them at 6 weeks of age. They are now 2 1/2 months old. Gracie
> weighs almost 2 pounds and George is 2 1/2 pounds. For comparison
> Indy weighs 2 pounds as an adult, but when she was 2 1/2 months old
> she weighed 1 1/2 pounds.
>
> In conclusion - consider a pair even if you have one ferret at home now.
> The shelters have some really nice well adjusted ferrets that can get
along
> great with your existing adult. You also have the advantage of bringing
> an existing adult along to help select a playmate - something many pet
> stores won't allow. The MFF ferrets may or may not have health issues,
> but the ferrets themselves can be great. Candians look like they will be
> larger - I can't comment on health issues at this point however.
>
> Again, I'm sorry to hear about Gwen. Someday, before you know it
> a little fuzzbut will be at your house playing with Gwen's toys and you'll
> have a smile on your face and a tear in you eye thinking that Gwen
> would really like the new weasel terror.
>
> Best of luck,
> -Mark
>
>
>
> "Jim Williams" <jimw1956@cs.comnojunk> wrote in message
> news:20040416112350.22121.00000430@mb-m06.news.cs.com...
> > We recently lost our little one, Gwen recently and although we will
> probably
> > give ourselves a little time before getting more ferrets, I thought I
> would get
> > a few opinions on the best place to obtain ferrets.
> >
> > Gwen was a Marshall Farms ferret, which we purchased from a local pet
> store.
> > Although she had a very healthy life until the illness that took her
> recently,
> > she was only about 5 1/2 years old when she left us.
> >
> > Is there anything we could do or look for in the future that might lead
to
> a
> > ferret with a longer lifespan? To be honest, we are looking into
probably
> > getting our next fuzzies from a shelter, as I feel that it would be good
> to
> > give a home to some that for whatever reason have been left without
one,
> but
> > in case for some reason that doesn't work out, what is the best
> alternative if
> > we wind up purchasing our next little ones?
> >
> > I have heard some theories that the very early spaying or neutering done
> on
> > commercially bred ferrets might be the cause of some of their health
> problems,
> > particularly females...would it be better to buy one before this is done
> from a
> > breeder, and have it done a little later in life? Are there any breeders
> that
> > seem to have a better track record than others?
> >
> > Opinions and advice would be appreciated.
> >
> > Jim & Kathy W.
> >
>
>
|
|
|
| Melissa |
In article <10800u4op5vg1d6@corp.supernews.com>,
"Mark Steele" <msteele@aspenres.com> wrote:
> Regarding Marshall Farms ferrets. I've been told that MFF chemically
> neuter the kits at a very early age.
I've never heard this before. Could you elaborate on what that means and
what the source of this information was?
-Melissa
|
|
|
| Mark Steele |
"Melissa" <nospam@nospam.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:E1jgc.42111$i74.1048727@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> In article <10800u4op5vg1d6@corp.supernews.com>,
> "Mark Steele" <msteele@aspenres.com> wrote:
>
> > Regarding Marshall Farms ferrets. I've been told that MFF chemically
> > neuter the kits at a very early age.
>
> I've never heard this before. Could you elaborate on what that means and
> what the source of this information was?
>
I was told this by the broker that sold me two Candian ferrets. My first
reaction was that this is BS. The topic came up when I was told not to
bathe the babies until they were fully healed to prevent infection. This
made sense to me and I asked why I hadn't heard this before. I was
then told that MF ferrets are chemically neutered at a very early age
which also means that they will be smaller.
I had posted some questions regarding the size of ferrets because I wanted
to know just how big my Candians were going to be, and I received
similar information from several different people as a quick explaination of
the size of Candian ferrets.
Now that you raise the question I wonder if this is just a myth that has
spread through ferret owners. I just assumed that it was true sinces most
people causally stated this to me like it was a known practice. I will add
that at no time did anyone imply that this practice was the cause of any
health issues, and I hope that I didn't make it sound like it was. I
intended
the information only in reference to the ferrets size and weight, not
health.
If anybody else can confirm or deny this I would really appreciate it, and
start asking the question again as to why are MF ferrets smaller, if indeed
they are (I know that all of mine have been small).
-Mark
|
|
|
| Melissa |
It's the "chemically altered" part that I was curious about. It is true
that Marshall Farms ferrets (and ferrets from all other commercial
breeders in the USA) are altered at a very young age, but I don't know
about it being anything other than a regular spay and neuter job.
-Melissa
In article <10886s342ppqqa0@corp.supernews.com>,
"Mark Steele" <msteele@aspenres.com> wrote:
> "Melissa" <nospam@nospam.com.invalid> wrote in message
> news:E1jgc.42111$i74.1048727@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> > In article <10800u4op5vg1d6@corp.supernews.com>,
> > "Mark Steele" <msteele@aspenres.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Regarding Marshall Farms ferrets. I've been told that MFF chemically
> > > neuter the kits at a very early age.
> >
> > I've never heard this before. Could you elaborate on what that means and
> > what the source of this information was?
> >
>
> I was told this by the broker that sold me two Candian ferrets. My first
> reaction was that this is BS. The topic came up when I was told not to
> bathe the babies until they were fully healed to prevent infection. This
> made sense to me and I asked why I hadn't heard this before. I was
> then told that MF ferrets are chemically neutered at a very early age
> which also means that they will be smaller.
>
> I had posted some questions regarding the size of ferrets because I wanted
> to know just how big my Candians were going to be, and I received
> similar information from several different people as a quick explaination of
> the size of Candian ferrets.
>
> Now that you raise the question I wonder if this is just a myth that has
> spread through ferret owners. I just assumed that it was true sinces most
> people causally stated this to me like it was a known practice. I will add
> that at no time did anyone imply that this practice was the cause of any
> health issues, and I hope that I didn't make it sound like it was. I
> intended
> the information only in reference to the ferrets size and weight, not
> health.
>
> If anybody else can confirm or deny this I would really appreciate it, and
> start asking the question again as to why are MF ferrets smaller, if indeed
> they are (I know that all of mine have been small).
>
> -Mark
>
>
|
|
|
| swamp |
On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 12:33:28 -0600, "Mark Steele"
<msteele@aspenres.com> wrote:
>
>"Melissa" <nospam@nospam.com.invalid> wrote in message
>news:E1jgc.42111$i74.1048727@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>> In article <10800u4op5vg1d6@corp.supernews.com>,
>> "Mark Steele" <msteele@aspenres.com> wrote:
>>
>> > Regarding Marshall Farms ferrets. I've been told that MFF chemically
>> > neuter the kits at a very early age.
>>
>> I've never heard this before. Could you elaborate on what that means and
>> what the source of this information was?
>>
>
>I was told this by the broker that sold me two Candian ferrets. My first
>reaction was that this is BS.
Your first reaction was correct. It doesn't matter which side of the
49th the kit is birthed. Both Hagen (Canada) and MF (US) surgically
neuter their ferrets.
>The topic came up when I was told not to
>bathe the babies until they were fully healed to prevent infection. This
>made sense to me and I asked why I hadn't heard this before.
If the alter were chemical, how would a bath threaten infection?
>I was
>then told that MF ferrets are chemically neutered at a very early age
>which also means that they will be smaller.
MF alters its kits at 4-6 weeks. Don't know about Hagen. Early neuter
seems to have little effect on the eventual size of the kits, but does
reduce the musculature and weight in adult males.
>I had posted some questions regarding the size of ferrets because I wanted
>to know just how big my Candians were going to be, and I received
>similar information from several different people as a quick explaination of
>the size of Candian ferrets.
Less Canadian ferrets are early alters, so the average weight is
higher.
>Now that you raise the question I wonder if this is just a myth that has
>spread through ferret owners. I just assumed that it was true sinces most
>people causally stated this to me like it was a known practice. I will add
>that at no time did anyone imply that this practice was the cause of any
>health issues, and I hope that I didn't make it sound like it was. I
>intended
>the information only in reference to the ferrets size and weight, not
>health.
>
>If anybody else can confirm or deny this I would really appreciate it, and
>start asking the question again as to why are MF ferrets smaller, if indeed
>they are (I know that all of mine have been small).
Chemical *neutering* - other than a lethal overdose of barbiturates -
is a myth. Fertility in mammals can be greatly reduced via hormone
treatments, but once the treatments are removed so is the infertility.
iow, the broker was full of it.
>-Mark
-- swamp
"Who, me officer? What's a ferut? These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
|
|
|
| David Brown |
swamp: so glad you posted that. i google'd it and everything and couldn't
understand how chemical altering could be permanent without continued
medication.... was drivin me nuts.. lol
<swamp> wrote in message news:nrq880dp2eshk1su61rqgrdbsp0bccompc@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 19 Apr 2004 12:33:28 -0600, "Mark Steele"
> <msteele@aspenres.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Melissa" <nospam@nospam.com.invalid> wrote in message
> >news:E1jgc.42111$i74.1048727@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> >> In article <10800u4op5vg1d6@corp.supernews.com>,
> >> "Mark Steele" <msteele@aspenres.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> > Regarding Marshall Farms ferrets. I've been told that MFF chemically
> >> > neuter the kits at a very early age.
> >>
> >> I've never heard this before. Could you elaborate on what that means
and
> >> what the source of this information was?
> >>
> >
> >I was told this by the broker that sold me two Candian ferrets. My first
> >reaction was that this is BS.
>
> Your first reaction was correct. It doesn't matter which side of the
> 49th the kit is birthed. Both Hagen (Canada) and MF (US) surgically
> neuter their ferrets.
>
> >The topic came up when I was told not to
> >bathe the babies until they were fully healed to prevent infection. This
> >made sense to me and I asked why I hadn't heard this before.
>
> If the alter were chemical, how would a bath threaten infection?
>
> >I was
> >then told that MF ferrets are chemically neutered at a very early age
> >which also means that they will be smaller.
>
> MF alters its kits at 4-6 weeks. Don't know about Hagen. Early neuter
> seems to have little effect on the eventual size of the kits, but does
> reduce the musculature and weight in adult males.
>
> >I had posted some questions regarding the size of ferrets because I
wanted
> >to know just how big my Candians were going to be, and I received
> >similar information from several different people as a quick explaination
of
> >the size of Candian ferrets.
>
> Less Canadian ferrets are early alters, so the average weight is
> higher.
>
> >Now that you raise the question I wonder if this is just a myth that has
> >spread through ferret owners. I just assumed that it was true sinces most
> >people causally stated this to me like it was a known practice. I will
add
> >that at no time did anyone imply that this practice was the cause of any
> >health issues, and I hope that I didn't make it sound like it was. I
> >intended
> >the information only in reference to the ferrets size and weight, not
> >health.
> >
> >If anybody else can confirm or deny this I would really appreciate it,
and
> >start asking the question again as to why are MF ferrets smaller, if
indeed
> >they are (I know that all of mine have been small).
>
> Chemical *neutering* - other than a lethal overdose of barbiturates -
> is a myth. Fertility in mammals can be greatly reduced via hormone
> treatments, but once the treatments are removed so is the infertility.
>
> iow, the broker was full of it.
>
> >-Mark
>
> -- swamp
>
> "Who, me officer? What's a ferut? These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
