I have been reading a few posts recently on problems with ferrets getting
vaccines.  Therefore I was very nervous when I took my three fuzzies in to
see the vet to get their first shots!
 
When I got to the exam room, I expressed my concerns to Dr. Slack and she was
overjoyed that (a) I was informed, and (b) I had such cute ferrets :>))  She
explained that she would give each ferret a shot of a Sudafed (Benadryl or
some other similar antihistamine) solution, do the general checkup and then
(after the antihistamine had time to work) give them their rabies and
distemper shots.
 
It worked like a charm!  They were as active as ever after the shots and
continued to play all the way home.  Only after they were back in their cage
did they go to sleep!
 
Needless to say I want to thank Dr. Slack for the wonderful attention and
"bedside manner" she showed my darling fuzzies!!!!  If any of you FMLers are
living in the Northern Virginia area, I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Pamela Slack
(Alexandria Animal Hosp, (703) 751-2022).  She has ferrets of her own, so she
is intimately aware of our fuzzies' special needs!  I hope this unrequested
(on Dr. Slack's part) plug is not inappropriate for this list ... but I am
just so pleased with the service I received that I just had to say
something!!!
 
One small footnote:  My youngest ferret, Rascal, was sold to me as a
Silver-Mit.  I was pleased to find out from Dr. Slack that Rascal is actually
a Silver ferret ... pretty cool!  Rascal now has a thick coat of white that
all but covers up the silver/grey guard hairs.  Is there any printed guide
outlining the various "colors" of ferrets?  Just a curiousity!
 
Marc Wilson
[Posted in FML issue 1409]