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Post by tinytippytoes on Mar 13, 2011 17:25:36 GMT -5
I have been reading alot here. Esp. all the medical posts. Its quite making me nervous if I'm ready to have ferts in my life. It seems everyone has major medical problems that is hard to get a grasp at. I'm not too worried about the money part because I'm saving every penny I have(although I wonder how much it will last..those med. issues cost!!  ) When I had ferts 15 years ago not one ever had those problems except for Joey who had heart problems. Is this very common to have these issues(spaying or neutering to young or other things )? |
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Post by Heather on Mar 13, 2011 19:03:25 GMT -5
It's a debate as to whether it's as much genetics as care. All you can do is try and stack the odds. You're already doing this. Finding out as much as you can. Some of the farm ferrets are more prone to some diseases than others. That being said, I've had some good long lives out of these guys just the same. I would say to continue to study until you're ready to get your fuzz and try and keep your care as holistic as possible. That seems to go a long way into helping get a long life out of our fuzzes. I'm not saying it will....just it helps
ciao
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Post by dookdook on Mar 13, 2011 19:05:31 GMT -5
I know how you feel, I have two ferrets and am hoping nothing goes bad...  But really, the joy and happiness they bring cancels out any amount of medical costs...  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2011 19:30:14 GMT -5
According to many, genetic issues seem to be the primary cause of quite a few of the common ferret diseases. Early neutering diet, and unnatural light periods exacerbates some of these issues.
The reason why many feel that genetics is the primary factor is because ferrets were living longer and had fewer health problems in the 80's. Most ferrets were early alters that were fed cat food. Many suspect that breeding for "fancy colors" , which include any colors other than unmarked sable and albinos, resulted in defective genetics within the general ferret population.
one assumption people tend to make is that a regular sable will be more healthy than a "fancy colored ferret" or a ferret that has coat pattern and/or markings. While some colors/markings seem more prone to specific issues, any sable that has "fancy colors" in its bloodlines runs the a greater risk of carrying a genetic defect . Another misconception is that the very dark/black sable is not a "fancy color". The black sable is indeed a fancy color.
According to Bob Church (at least last I spoke with him when he had just returned from his ferret studies a couple of years ago), the average age for American ferrets seems to be as follows:
American ferrets: 5-6 years.
European ferrets: 8 years
wild ferrets: 7 years
-jennife
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2011 20:10:36 GMT -5
I agree with all the above - ferret genetics have dramatically changed in 15 years. Most likely, your ferret will live at least 4-6 years minimum. Health problems will arise and those should be expected.
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Post by Sherry on Mar 13, 2011 20:32:20 GMT -5
I presently have 9 ferrets. All of them farm ferrets. 3 of those are definitely adrenal. 1 is probable. I'm trying to avoid, or at least delay(with the older ones) insulinoma through a raw/whole prey diet. I've had bad biters, potty training problems, and difficult switches. In spite of ALL of the above- I'll never be without ferrets again. They are such an integral part of my life, and so worth everything they wind up having to go through  That said- they are definitely NOT for the weak of heart, nor for someone who cannot, or will not, be willing to spend the cash at the vet's, simply because intervention at some point(beyond yearly checkups) is guaranteed with these guys. Or at least it is with our mill ferrets  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2011 20:35:20 GMT -5
I agree 100% - they are worth all the money, stress, and heartbreak. They make life brighter even on the darkest of days. I, too, will never live a day without them in my life.
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Post by taratee on Mar 13, 2011 21:02:03 GMT -5
is it possible they did have problems but you dont remember?
in marshalls ferrets i think its more common than not to have adrenal even in late alterings theres a problem with adrenal it just comes later on. I'd bet a lot of the problems with average age in ferrets is that people dont fully educate themselves on the problems before impulse buying a ferret. Ive met people who never had a ferret see its 4th birthday and they had like 5 ferrets they said. Never took their pets to the vet. but for every ferret who lives 4 years theres another who lives 14
we can take what we know to help prolong and give ferrets healthy enriched lives and thats alot better then them going to someone who thinks ferrets only live for 4 years then they die ya know? I got all my ferrets knowing they would come up against some kind of disease some time, when rainbow posts come up i think about it but mostly i just enjoy my ferrets
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Post by goingpostal on Mar 13, 2011 21:39:39 GMT -5
It is something to consider, owning ferrets is a lot of fun, but it's also a lot of mess, frustration and heartbreak, not everyone is cut out to own ferrets. I think a big issue is many people get a bunch all close in age, then issues, vet bills, deaths all start at once, it's depressing, it's debt inducing, it's stressful, it's very hard. When they are all happy and healthy they are busy driving you nuts instead. Two years ago I swore them off after we had 4 pass all very closely but here I am hoping to get a breeder ferret someday.
Taratee, there's someone local like that, they've had ferrets for a really long time, I knew the daughter in high school and they had ferrets then and had for years before that, I recently (this is 10+ years later) found out they still had ferrets when one was rescued locally and they took it, I contacted her and talked ferrets and they had no idea what adrenal, insulinoma, any of that was, I gave them a ton of links, hooked them up with my vet, gave them advice on food, but was just totally amazed someone could own ferrets for over 20 years and not know anything about them. And these aren't poor or stupid people, just never bothered to do any research and went on what the local vet told them even though he is completely useless when it comes to exotics.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2011 22:18:01 GMT -5
That is completely unbelievable - how do you own an animal for THAT long and not know even the basics.  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2011 22:19:59 GMT -5
The unknown with these little heart breakers is hard, but like others, I will never be without them again.... I've already told my hubby that once the cats and dogs die off (Iknow that's a harsh way to put it) I won't be getting anymore... Ferrets, that's a different story, I will always have ferrets....
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Post by miamiferret2 on Mar 13, 2011 22:20:50 GMT -5
No pet in the world is like a ferret. When they play, they are clowns and they have pure joy in them. The hop up and down shaking their heads all crazy with their mouths open, they run backwards and steal things from you. I have had cats, dogs, rabbits, even a rooster. but ferrets are still my favorite pets to have. Sonny is the resident comedian. He's so funny. He really makes us laugh every day with his antics. I know one day he'll get sick and pass away just like the others before him. But I have great memories with all of my little clowns. If the vet bills worry you, i pay $120 a year for Sonny's health insurance through VPI pet health insurance. I gave had the same policy for my other ferrets. It pays for itself. Unfortunately, they will not cover cost of treatment for adrenal or hyper splenism. But, this insurance plan has been a godsend to me and it really is worth it. Ferrets don't only go to the vet for insulinoma and adrenal.
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Post by Sherry on Mar 14, 2011 0:19:29 GMT -5
Unfortunately, they don't cover ferrets here But just for dogs/cats, it's an average of $25-$40 a month, depending on animal, breed, etc! |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2011 0:30:06 GMT -5
Can you tell me more about the insurance plan? Does that cover vaccinations, vet visits, blood tests? Stool samples?
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Post by acodlin on Mar 14, 2011 1:20:48 GMT -5
Unfortunatly pets of all sorts have health problems. My grandmother has had 7 dogs in my life time, all of them have died due to some sort of health problem, last one was dudley and he got pneumonia.. she's had to have two big dogs put to sleep due to having hip displasia in both hips and bad knees. She's pretty unlucky but I've had a diabetic dog who died from renal failure, and a cat who had cancer. Lets not even talk about the thousands of dollars she's spent on her two parrots.
If your an animal lover then you'll just accept what comes, love and cherish them while they are here and mourn for them when they are gone but know they are always with you in your heart.
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