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Comment by phyllostachys | Hacker News Reader

Ferrets are used in scientific study? I didn't know that. As a ferret owner: :-(

From my days in pharma, I remember they are used extensively for testing anti-nausea medicines because they are some of the few animals that actually experience the symptoms nausea (many mammals vomit, but nausea is actually more rare).

Ferrets, as I recall, are also a good model airway for neonatal intubations. Pretty sure the animals are sacrificed afterward.

I have a Rex (velveteen) Rabbit. Not only are they used in cosmetics research, but they're also used for making hats. It's sad, but it's for the greater... slaughter of animals?

At least feel comfort in it might save a life. My pets brethren get chemicals used on them to see how well it defurs them, and those that don't get slaughtered like chickens and skinned.

Seriously, if you want to be haunted watch a video of how factory farmed rabbits are killed. For animals that really don't make noise, you'd be surprised they're capable of making such haunting screams. I've had a rabbit 5 years and I have dogs, and mine has yet to make more than a whimper.

As someone who has personally slaughtered and processed rabbits on a small family farm it's certainly a shock when you first hear that scream. Ideally you never do though since a "clean" butcher has the animal largely unaware due to a sudden violent blow to the skull resulting in immediate death (or as close as possible).

  rabbitmqctl stop

As I understand it they're the best animal model for many upper respiratory infections, including influenza.

Ideally they only get the sniffles, but with highly lethal strains ... I once knew a ferret owner, they're wonderful pets.

ferret owners make good pets too? Nice!

Heh. That too!

Seriously, a good ferret owner will socialize with their ferrets, the animals need that sort of thing.

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