Hello all,
 
Just wanted to let everyone know that our exotics dept. will be doing a
study in conjunction with AMC and several other large clinics on the recent
incidence of increasing vaccine reactions.  We will be tabulating numbers
of the last 500+ ferrets we've seen, and combining them with several other
large hospitals across the country to increase the demographic base.  This
study is at the extreme beginning stages only right now, but I will keep
everyone updated on how things are looking.  I found it interesting that
the informal study done here had a .05% rate similar to the companies
expectations, but I believe more recently these reactions seem to be
increasing.
 
Andy, I find it extremely hard to believe a diagnoses of AIHA was made on
your ferret Fossa.  If the vet was referring to any labwork, it could just
have easily been lymphoma, which can cause low blood counts across the
board.  Did he treat many ferrets?
 
Trish, a big THANKS for getting in touch with Dr. Willard and posting his
reply for everyone to read..hopefully that will help people in their
decisions as to what to feed.  As an aside, I have recently been able to
get my guys to switch....and boy what a difference..in their coats, their
energy levels, everything.  It can be difficult to obtain in some areas,
but for those having trouble switching to a premium ferret food, mix with
their regular food in a can..gradually increasing the amounts of the new
food and decreasing the old.  The mingling of smells seems to really fool
them.
 
Lastly, Bravo to Kathy for standing up for what she believes in, not a lot
of people would go the lengths you did to see why that ferret was being
corrected so roughly.  A LOT of newbies go to those shows, and to see
behavior like that from someone who supposedly has experience...not cool.
 
Time to go drag the fuzzies around on their magic carpet....
 
Michele & the furpile
[Posted in FML issue 3004]