by debferret

Choosing a Ferret Friendly Vet

This is a very good article on how to choose your vet.The MFA couldn’t say it better! Go to our website for a list of ferret wise veterinary clinics as recommended by our membership. When using our list of recommend ed vets, always ask if there is a vet on staff that specializes in ferrets because vets do change clinics from time to time and it would be impossible for us to keep up with the changes!

Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

Choosing a veterinarian that is right for you and your ferret is not always easy. You want to find a veterinarian with whom you and your pet can feel comfortable and can build a trusting relationship. And you want to find that veterinarian before you get a ferret – the veterinarian can advise you on what to look for in a healthy ferret. If you have moved or for some other reason need to change veterinarians, find a new veterinarian before your ferret becomes ill.   Types of veterinary practices…   Different types of veterinary practices exist. Those that provide care to companion animals include the following:   Small animal practice: These veterinarians work mainly with dogs and cats. Many also care for ferrets, pocket pets, reptiles, and birds.   Mixed animal practice: These veterinarians are commonly found in more rural areas as they work with pets as well as horses, cattle, and other farm animals.

Emergency clinics: These clinics are very helpful in the event an emergency occurs outside of your veterinarian’s regular office hours. They do not typically handle routine check-ups, vaccinations, or spays/neuters. Emergency clinics may also see patients who need 24-hour care or exams with specialized equipment to perform procedures such as ultrasonography or endoscopy that the veterinarians in the surrounding area do not have at their facilities.   Exotics clinics: These veterinarians specialize in caring for pocket pets, reptiles, birds, ferrets, and species other than dogs and cats.   Avian clinics: These veterinarians specialize in companion bird health.   Cat only clinics: These veterinarians limit their practice to cats only.   Mobile practices: Some veterinarians will travel to your house to treat your pet, just like some travel to farms to treat farm animals.   The veterinarians that limit the species of patients to which they provide care, such as ‘cat-only,’ are able to devote more time to learning about that particular species. This allows for more in-depth knowledge of disease processes in that species. In many multi-doctor practices, the doctors have individual interests which they pursue. They are available to consult with other doctors in the clinic on those subjects.   Where to find a veterinarian…   Ask friends, family members, and co-workers that have pets:   Where do they take their pets, and why?

Do they like the location?   Is the staff friendly, and do they seem knowledgeable?   Does the doctor fully explain the diagnosis, treatment plan, and expected outcome of a disease?   Are they comfortable asking the doctor questions?   Ferret clubs: Ferret clubs may be a good source of information when looking for a veterinarian.   Local directories: The yellow pages or business pages of a phone book normally will provide information on local veterinarians’ names, addresses, and phone numbers.   Things to look for when visiting a veterinary clinic…   Office hours and emergencies:   What are the regular office hours?  What hours are the doctors available for appointments?  How are emergencies handled during business hours?  How are emergencies handled after hours and on holidays?  How long does it take to get an appointment for a wellness exam versus a ‘sick pet’ appointment?   Veterinarian and staff:   How are questions over the phone handled?  Are the staff knowledgeable and courteous?  Are phone calls answered quickly?  Are you put on ‘hold’ for long periods of time?  Can you see a specific doctor if you are at a multi-doctor practice?  Do you feel comfortable with the receptionist, technician, and doctor?

Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

Fees and payment:

Do not make cost your determining factor when choosing a veterinarian. It is very difficult to compare costs for medical services because every veterinarian practices differently. Expect to pay a fair price for the services received. In a critical situation, cost is usually not your first concern, so choose quality care above all else. Your pet is more than a financial investment. Along with cost, find out:

What methods of payment are accepted?

When is payment due?

Are credit cards accepted?

Services:

What types of services are available?

Medical exams?

Surgery, including orthopedic?

Dentistry?

Radiology (x-rays)?

Ultrasonography?

Endoscopy?

Nutrition counseling?

Laboratory testing?

Are the veterinarians willing to refer pets to specialists? If so, whom?

Do they have auxiliary services such as boarding?

Facilities:

Is the practice clean and neat?

Are there unpleasant odors?

Are the grounds well kept?

Is the facility in a good location and easy for you to get to?

Professional affiliations:

Are the doctors members of professional associations including those related to “exotic” animals?

Is the hospital an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) associated hospital?

Do the veterinarians regularly attend conferences and other continuing education programs?

As part of your search, pay a visit to the facilities you are interested in and have a tour. Make appointments to meet the veterinarians. If your ferret has ongoing medical or behavioral problems, find out if the veterinarian is comfortable in treating those problems.

Hopefully, your ferret will have a healthy life and never need a specialist, but if a specialist is needed, they are available. Some veterinarians will have a special interest in certain areas of medicine or surgery and specialize in it. If they are board-certified, it means that they have studied and have passed board-certification exams in that specialty.

Specialists

The following is a partial list of specialties that have board-certification:

Internal medicine: Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders that involve the internal organs such as the liver, kidneys, and pancreas.

Surgery – orthopedic and soft tissue: Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders that need surgery to repair such as back surgery, complicated fractures, or abdominal surgery.

Dermatology: Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders including allergies.

Oncology: Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers.

Radiology: Specializing in reading x-rays, CAT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds.

Cardiology: Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases.

Ophthalmology: Specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.

Conclusion

The relationship between you, your pet, and your veterinarian will hopefully last many years, so take time to find the right ‘fit.’ Since you will need to be able to discuss your pet’s symptoms, test results, and treatment options with your veterinarian, good communication is of utmost importance. Find a clinic with veterinarians who you feel comfortable with and have good ‘bedside manners.’ Once you have found that veterinarian, we strongly recommend regular veterinary visits, or at the very least, annual physical exams.

12.18.14

by debferret

Looking Good for Santa!

I need to take a break hence I stuff certain ferrets in a gift bag and leave them under the tree for Santa! I have spent the whole morning changing litter boxes and putting fresh hammocks and blankies in all the cages.

Next on the agenda was nail trimming time! Nail clipping is easy so long as you have your trusty bottle of Ferretone. I have a special Ferretone stained towel that I set on the counter. I dribble some Ferretone on the tummy area and while the ferret is busy taking care of his Ferretone addiction; I do the nails. I used to sit on the floor and do it until I got fed up chasing down the Ferretone bottle as it thumped down the hall behind a ferret; leaving an enticing trail that the other ferrets out playing were skidding through!

Now you would be thinking that bath time was next so that everyone would be sweet smelling for Santa. The first year I had ferrets, I bathed them every 3rd month. Then I smartened up and to the ferrets immense relief I only give them a bath in the Spring when they are shedding their winter coat and again in the late fall when they are shedding their Summer coat. The bedding gets changed every second day or third at the very latest. I stopped having itchy ferrets and my ferrets and home smelled much better. The ferrets were over compensating the oil production when I was stripping their coats every 3rd month. The oily residue from their coats is deposited on the blanket/hammock and that is changed often enough that the smell does not have a chance to make stinkies. ** To keep their bedding smelling fresh and clean always add one cup of Vinegar to the wash water. The vinegar sterilizes and deodorizes the bedding!

Back to wanting to let Santa have the brats. I figured I was all done, litter boxes washed and refilled, fresh hammocks and bedding and everyone had a manicure – time for a well deserved cup of coffee. I ran downstairs to put the washing into the dryer. Upon my return (sob) I discovered Dwight, Snip, Ginger and Peaches rolling, yes, rolling in honey!!! I do not know which one opened the pantry, I do not know which one pushed the honey off the second shelf or the little bugger that got the tuperware lid off; all I know is that I had four very sticky ferrets licking as fast as their little tongues could go before mommy took the honey away! Okay, I can understand licking the spilled honey, but weasel war dancing through it!!! That was done just to spite mommy!

So, I put all four in my soaker tub and let them play/get clean. Have you ever tried to towel dry your ferret? Do you know what wet ferrets do? I had four psycho ferrets jumping and bouncing and – nuts how can you stay mad when you are almost peeing yourself laughing.

So, I have four very tired, fluffy, clean fuzzbutts all ready for Santa. I hear whispering coming from the shelter room. I think the others want to get in on the fun – they honey is now on the top shelf and I am heading off to Wal Mart to buy baby cupboard locks!

here are the 4 brats (no, I was too busy grabbing ferrets to take a picture of them coated in honey, these portrait shots will have to do)

Ginger and Snip looking so innocent

Dwight – I live with 3 girls, who’s idea do you think this was?

I’m an old, old lady, I would never be naughty (tehe)

12.17.14

by debferret

BAD Toys for Ferrets!

I sometimes wish I could be in the head of my ferret to understand what the heck it is thinking as it runs down the hall with my shoe thumping along. Why does he want to play with my shoe when I have a whole box of great toys for him??? The rubber heels and insoles are sooo bad for him and I just know he’s going to start chewing as soon as he is hidden under my bed!

I am going to show you some of the bad toys that have come in to the shelter with a ferret just in the last couple of years. I have thrown out three times the amount at least but never thought to take pictures.

I’d like to give you all one very important piece of advice because for every bad toy I am displaying, there are 20 more not featured. How to make sure you are buying a safe toy irregardless if there is a cute ferret picture of the package? Simply ask yourself this question –

CAN MY FERRET CHEW OR INGEST ANY PART OF THIS TOY?

Watch for buttons or beads for eyes and noses. Check for beads used for stuffing. Never buy squeaky toys made of soft vinyl or soft rubber. Soft foam balls packaged for ferrets-NOT. Leave teething rings filled with liquid for your human babies. Make sure handles or cords can not wrap around your ferret’s neck. Don’t give a toy so small that the ferret can get stuck and suffocate such as used paper towel or toilet paper rolls?

assorted bad toys, soft vinyl, foam, rubber

packaged as a ferret toy. 10 seconds with a ferret. thank goodness no longer for sale

use extreme caution with tennis balls, the rubber banding can be chewed off as a ferret demonstrated.

ferret died after biting and swallowing one “point” and not noticed in time

took the ferret 2 months of chewing to break off a piece-check toys weekly!

soft vinyl squeaky toys, please leave for cats and dogs

12.17.14

by debferret

Safe Toys for Ferrets

Ferrets will play with just about anything you put in front of them. If you have ever owned a ferret, you know that you can put 20 great toys in front of them only to see them running off with something they have found that could be deadly if chewed.

As a shelter mom, I have had the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in fear as I am shown the newly surrendered ferret’s toys. A blockage just waiting to happen! They are quietly tossed away or donated to a dog shelter.

Have I scared the pants of you yet? Hope so, because a great homemade toy is your pants/sweats/jeans. Ferrets love to tunnel and they love crawling through the legs of your pants. You’re headed out right now to Value Village to buy up some old pairs of jeans, right?! Grab some old sweatshirts too. Not only do they love to sleep in old sweatshirts but the arms make great mini tunnels.

Other great homemade toys are:

plastic grocery bags with the handles removed to avoid strangulation. Paper bags any size, they love the crinkly noises they make any cardboard box with different shaped holes cut out – your ferrets will think of themselves as the new whack a mole as they pop out of the different holes. some of us even let our ferrets play in the plastics storage cupboard; allowing our furry to “sneak” in and spend the next 30 minutes pushing all the containers and lids out on to the floor you can play magic carpet ride by dragging an old towel across your floor with the ferret catching a ride!

There are some great safe toys that you can pick up at your local dollar store such as: jingle balls, rope toys, stuffies without beads or foam, MFA knotty knots etc etc

assortment of safe toys

maize created with plastic tubes, please note these tube are next to impossible to find now. I watch kijiji and will purchase an old unusable cage just to get the tubes!

round tunnel, elephant tunnel

hard plastic/hard rubber ring baby toys-NOT GOOD FOR FERRETS

I have taken pictures of a small display sample of bad toys for ferrets. Toys that the ferrets can chew pieces off and end up with a fatal blockage. check out my blog BAD Toys for Ferrets.

One last tip, before you give your ferret what you hope will be a fun toy ask yourself the following: can my ferret chew and swallow a piece, can my ferret strangle on cords or handles, can my ferret suffocate?

11.20.14

by debferret

I stole Mommy’s Desert!

Curled up on the couch watching TV. The different groups of ferrets had just been put back to bed and I let out Jocko for his Mommy time. This wild little boy bounced from one end of the living room to the other. Little fart makes me laugh sooo much!

I decided to have my strawberry yogurt for desert. I peeled off the lid and stirred my yogurt. Vroom, Jocko was standing at my feet begging to be picked up. Such a sweet boy!

Next thing I know he has turned himself around and he has his nose in my yogurt. Now, yogurt is actually good for ferrets. When they have diarrhea you can add yogurt to their duck soup to help put the good bacteria back in their gut.

I’m eating Mommy’s yogurt! Yummy

Had to take the picture! Well he went to town on the yogurt, not even coming up for air! After a few minutes I put him down, but he jumped back at my legs wanting more. Little piggy had slurped enough down for now, so it was bedtime for him!