>Proper Litter for Ferrets: Can anyone comment on the negatives/dangers of
>using clay-based kitty litter vs. the more expensive recycled newspaper
>litter?
I prefer the wood pellet litters like Pine fresh or Nature's Way Feline Pine.
Recycled newspaper has a smell of its own that I don't care for, and since
switching from clay to pressed pine (no oils), I will never go back to clay.
Cages:
I have several cages - all shapes and sizes and conditions (all usable too)
that I would like to donate to other rescues or breeders or pet owners of
ferrets. All that is required is you come and get it - or them. Since I
have downsized my collection (can you tell I work for the feds?) and closed
the shelter for a time, I really can not store these cages for long. Cages
are spread between Lorton, Springfield and Annandale, Virginia. I have
everything from car size cages to a stack of three and four cages, with
wheels, which measure 30" x either 24" or 36", plus everything in-between.
E-mail me with what you are looking for and I'll tell you where that cage is
located and give you a phone number to arrange a pick up. [log in to unmask]
Ferretone
>My question is: if ferretone in large doses is harmful and incorrect or no
>information is given on the bottle about dosages, has there been any
>attempts made to get the manufacturer to correct this?
There is a dosage on the Ferretone bottle, and it is now more reasonable
than the original dosage on the earlier packaging. IMO - Ferretone /
Linatone should not be used for anything other than a treat or to "flavor" a
food to get the ferret to eat. I use it only twice a month to occupy the
ferret while I trim their nails. Some of the vitamins are unhealthy in
large dosages.
>From: Karen Trask <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Pet store feeding schedule
Ferrets, especially kits, should have access to food at all times. They eat
every four hours, and if the pet shop is giving the kits some food several
times a day, just in small quantities so they "clean their plates", then
that is fine.
The Animal Welfare Act does not give consideration to the eating habits of
animals other than cats and dogs, which must be fed twice daily at a
minimum. This means many pet shops only feed the other animals in the store
at pre-opening and at closing times, which is NOT beneficial to the animals
or the clients who try to handle the animals.
Karen did the right thing by asking what the feeding schedule was before
jumping the gun. Now, anyone who would like to help make sure ferrets are
fed properly during the day can clip the above and take it in. Tell them
that Pamela Grant from The Pet Dealer Magazine sent you.
>Has it ever been proven or disproven that toxoplasmosis can be carried by
>and passed on by ferrets.
Indoor ferrets as pets are not carriers of toxoplasmosis. Hunting ferrets
might be cause for husband to clean litter boxes.
>Why isn't there a description for a butterscotch?
because, in show colors, there is no butterscotch. None of the ferret
showing organizations use the term. That term is only used by the Mortons
in their book. But what is in a name? IFA called it a "Shetland", FURO
called it a "badger", and LIFE calls it a "Blaze". All three describe the
ferrets with a white stripe running from the nose to the top of the head.
>From: Dee McNally <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Do they need heartworm medicine?
Depends on where you live and if mosquitoes are a problem, and if the
ferrets go outside a lot. If you answer "yes" to these questions, then
heart worm preventative is a very good health investment for your ferret.
>I have seen no independant data that shows any correlation between adrenal
>disease and any particular breeder.
I said a MUTANT GENE in some closed colony practices - which Dr. Judi Bell
has also leaned towards in her work with Marshall Farms - can produce
adrenal disease. Mr. Killian points out some private breeders have repeats
in their lines, but they are not reproducing ADRENAL problems - private
breeders care.
As far as "independent" data on adrenal disease, STAR* did a survey of
ferret health problems several years ago, and though adrenals were not
considered life threatening, they were more prevalent among Marshall Farm
ferrets than from any other source.
Pam Grant
[Posted in FML issue 1737]
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