Hi All,
 
I'd like to introduce myself and my kids to the FML. I've been
receiving the FML for a while but this is my first post. My name is
Jennifer and I live in South Florida with a husband, dog and three
ferrets; Ron, Nancy and Maggie. All three are MF ferrets (by the
tattoos in their ears). Ron and Nancy were bought together and are
about a year old. Maggie is a rescue ferret and is estimated to be
about 4-5 years old (no one knows for sure because she was found
abandoned at a wildlife center). They are a bundle of sheer trouble
(yeah... I know... I'm preaching to the choir), but I ADORE them and
their antics.
 
Anyway more stories later. I have some questions I wonder if anyone
can help with. Recently we've had a couple of bite cases here in South
Florida (one of them a la the McDowell case) and I was hoping for some
info.
 
First, a child was "bitten" (probably nipped) by a kit at a pet store.
The mother made a huge stink and ALL the kits (3) in the display were
taken away and KILLED (to check for Rabies)!!! The mother never
identified which kit was the "culprit." The "victim" (child) was never
taken to begin the rabies shots, there was no proof of actual skin
breakage on the child, yet these poor babies were killed. It almost
seems to me that this woman wanted revenge but no one could be that
vindictive.
 
Anyway, my question is, does ANYONE know of ANYWHERE (state, city,
county, anything) that quarantines ferrets instead of killing them. I
know there is no U.S. study done on the shedding period of the rabies
virus in ferrets, but nevertheless, I thought I heard there was
somewhere in the U.S. where there is actually legislation that allows
for quarantines of ferrets. Any information anyone can give me (even
rumors - I'll track them down) will be greatly appreciated. It would
be nice to prevent something like from happening again.
 
Roger McMillan:
In Issue 853 you wrote about a Minnesota ferretry that was selling
improperly spayed females. We have seen 4 ferrets from Minnesota with the
exact same problem you mentioned. Do you have any more info on this
ferretry? If this is being seen in Chicago (is that where your from?) as
well as South Florida then there must be many other areas that this is
happening. Again any information anyone can provide would be greatly
appreciated.
 
You can e-mail me personally if you wish.
 
My condolences to all who have recently lost loved ones. Your poems and
posts have been most touching and tearful. (Uploading Hugs and ferret
kisses).
 
Thanks to everyone (especially Dr. Williams and Dr. Brown) for their
contributions to this mailing list and to Chris for moderating it; it has
been an invaluable source of information.
 
---------------------------------------
From: Pamela Greene <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: baths, TN, heartworm
Date:   Thu, 9 Jun 1994 09:10:19 -0400
Submitted-Date: Thu Jun  9 17:57:22 EDT 1994
 
Several of the questions from the June 9 issue (#854) are in the FAQ,
either the old version (1.2) or the new one (which should be out
soon).  Rather than including whole sections, I'll summarize them.
 
[Rather than even doing this, I suggest that we simply start referring
people to the FAQ.  We're running a pretty high proportion of FAQ
questions and rehashes.]
 
> From: [log in to unmask]
> The first and foremost problem I seem to be having is finding
> answers concerning the de-scenting of ferrets.
 
There's still some debate, but I think the most agreed-upon answer is
that descenting isn't necessary and doesn't affect a ferret's odor
much, if at all.  Neutered ferrets only release their scent if they're
really frightened, and I hear it dissipates in 15 minutes or so.
 
> What do you current ferret owners reccomend concerning how often I
> should bath the ferret and how often should I clip their nails?
 
Anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months is fine between
baths.  The main problem with bathing them too often is dry skin.
Nail clipping is largely a matter of preference; we do it when our
ferrets' nails start getting caught in their bells, or when it's
uncomfortable for us to be climbed on -- say, once a month.  We always
give 'em a bath right after nail clipping, to wash off all the
Ferretone we've smeared on their tummies. :-)
 
> From: "Clinton Mahoney [...]" <MAHONEY@ ctrvax.Vanderbilt.Edu>
> Also, if anyone has any information about any other ferret groups
> around the Tennessee are please send those to me as well.
 
You can get a list of breeders, clubs, etc. by sending a message to
the CUNY server (the address is in the header) with SEND FERRET DATABASE
in the body.
 
> From: Anonymous Poster <[log in to unmask]>
> *** A couple of issues ago, someone mentioned heartworm in
> ferrets. Can they actually get heartworm?? Do they need to be tested
> for it? ***
 
Dr. Debra Kemmerer in Gainesville, FL recommends that ferrets in
heartworm-endemic areas (ask your vet) receive preventative heartworm
medication (Ivermectin).  She mixes a liquid solution for them.  Don't
just break a tablet, because the medication isn't evenly distributed
through the tablet.  For information on heartworm in and prescribing
Ivermectin for ferrets, have your vet call Dr. Kemmerer at
904-332-4357.  (There are more details in Ferret FAQ 2.0, too.)
 
- Pam ([log in to unmask]) in Rochester, NY
friend to Pixxel and Rusty the torpedoferrets
Ferret FAQ 1.2: rtfm.mit.edu:/pub/usenet/news.answers/pet-ferret-faq/general
 
[Posted in FML issue 0855]