>From:    Dodie Newcomb <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Nutromax, ? for Bill Killian, ...
>I never got a reply from you regarding the problem that you had with
>Nutromax.  Could you please let me know?
 
Thought I'd sent it in to the list.  Many of our ferrets absolutely rejected
Nutro Max Kitten and refused to eat it at all.  Would have starved first I
think.  We weren't real happy with the apparent nutrition - lower fat and
protien than we wanted so we just stopped using it.  Funny with the other
stories...
 
>From:    Catherine Shaffer <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Ferret population explosion, "abused" ferrets
 
I certainly don't want to disagree strongly but would like to comment that
ferrets are a fad but more of a sustainable pet then these other pets
mentioned.  Ferrets have been a fad pet for some twenty years.  I strongly
suspect that eventually ferrets will become seen as common pets.  I do not
expect the same for say Sugar Gliders and the like as they are not as
interactive with people.
 
>I think a lot of good breeders and pet owners might be unjustly maligned by
>this tendency.  Some ferrets are born biters or born skittish and they may
>need a lot more attention to be tame.  [...] I think it's just that genetic
>component of personality.
 
As a breeder who has watched generations of ferrets I'd have to agree
completely.  The better breeders watch personality of their progeny and try
to emphasize the better temperaments.  We only allow the best body structure
ferrets into our program then weed out the personality problems.  We for
example know some ferrets are more timid so we won't breed them to ferrets
that are more hyper to avoid frantic ferrets afraid of their owners.  That
could lead to biters.
 
>I guess this is a very rambling way to say that we love scandal and we love
>to think the worst about people.
 
I would say there are elements of the ferret world that thrive on this.  Its
why I think we have propaganda against Marshall Farms and United Vaccine so
overly promoted as major tragedies.
 
>From:    The Ferretously Funky One <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Need references for giving three distemper vaccinations
>Does anyone have any official references that recommend a set of three
>distemper vaccinations?
 
The very best possible source, United Vaccines who manufactures Fervac-D
the only approved vaccine for use in ferrets from the vaccine packaging:
    ADMINSITRATION AND DOSAGE
    Inject 1 ml subcutaneously.  The initial dose
    is given at 8 weeks of age.  Repeat the dose
    at 11 weeks of age and a final dose at 14
    weeks of age.  Give booster annually.
Other references:
   _Ferrets,_Rabbits,_and_Rodents_, Hillyer and Quesenbury, page 14.
Saunders 1997
 
BUT the older (and seemingly obsolete since it was before Fervac-D existed)
   _Biology_and_Diseases_of_the_Ferret_, Fox, pg. 298  Lea & Febiger 1988
disagrees.  Usually one should go with the newer information in medicine.
 
>("Well, Doc., the Ferret Underground has recommended for years...")
 
I wouldn't refer to it as underground.  It is very much above ground and in
broad daylight with much input from highly qualified vets.
 
Some vets seem to like over vaccinating ferrets with four shots at 2 week
intervals but I would be highly suspicious that that might be problematic
with the dire warnings in the Fox book (page 307) about over vaccinating for
Distemper.  Anecdotally (not scientifically) this can be linked to cases
which are presumed to be vaccine induced distemper.  I would rather follow
the well tested procedures recommended by the manufacturer.
 
>From:    Patricia Curtis <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Replies to Various Subjects
>Someone posted:
>>But Dr. Brown on AOL has been saying that a little heavy whipping cream is
>>a good way to boost the fat and calories for an ailing ferret
 
>PLEASE do not give treats with high sugar content like this except under
>the direction of your veterinarian!!!
 
I think Dr. Susan Brown has earned her place in ferret medicine.  (It was
that Dr. Brown wasn't it?) Whipped cream is not all that high in sugar
unless sugar is added.  This was recommended I'm sure under very specific
circumstances.  Humans are animals.  Sugar is available as sucrose in
fruits.  And an ailing ferret would die in the wild so it isn't quite
applicable.
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1757]