I have treated my two ferrets about 3-4 times with Advantage.  My albino,
Popcorn, didn't react as strongly as the ferret in yesterday's FML.
However, she always objects to it just enough to make me wonder if it is
just a bit uncomfortable for her (i.e. more of a reaction than I would
expect from putting water on her back).  Now she's balding in the area where
the treatment was, starting across her shoulders, down her back (about 1/2
way), and up the back of her head.  She's also losing fur on her tail, so I
suspect she does have adrenal problems, but the pattern in which she's
losing fur is not a normal pattern for adrenal problems.  I do think there
may be some link to the Advantage.
 
Given the nebulous symptoms, I don't want to automatically blame Advantage.
Has anyone else had problems with it?  How many people currently use it with
no problems?  What is the current recommendation for it's use among the
ferret community?
 
To the two new members who only got one response each: Don't blame the FML.
Some questions will give you a hundred responses and others none.  Most of
the people who are considered "experts" work and have a lot of furries to
take care of.  Some days they just don't have time.  I also think that some
questions tend to fall into the "anyone can answer that" category, so
unfortunately everyone thinks that someone else will take care of it, and
noone does.  Similarly with nebulous symptoms, if the experts don't have
enough to go on to give a good answer, they probably won't reply thinking
that someone else will.  And those of us who don't fall into the expert
category tend to think "I had better let the experts handle this one".  It
certainly isn't that you are being ignored as "newbies".  This list is very
supportive of new ferret owners.  It is more that everyone thinks someone
else is helping, so they don't personally see the need to jump in.  If you
don't get a reply, post again with an "anybody?" message.  Someone will pipe
up.  (However, if your ferret is sick go to the vet, don't count on the FML.
Your ferret shouldn't have to wait 24 hours for help - if anyone is even
able to diagnose the problem from your description.  The list may be a good
idea for a 2nd opinion, so still post, just don't wait for the replies.)
 
- Nancy
 
-----
Nancy L. Stephens
 
[log in to unmask]
Senior Systems Analyst
TCIM Services, Inc.
[Posted in FML issue 2187]