I really really *hate* having my ferrets' nails clipped to get blood.  The
only time I ever heard my Nookie scream -- and I mean *scream* -- I thought
the noise was coming from an angry parrot!  -- was when the vet clipped her
nail to get blood for a heartworm test.  For the rest of her life, whenever
we'd go into a vet's office (any vet's office), she'd try to hide in my
hair as soon as we walked in.
 
In addition to the initial pain, the ferret obviously feels pain from the
throbbing nail for several days afterwards.  I noticed with all 3 of my
ferrets that they favored that paw.  When Mishka's nail was clipped (during
a surgery -- he was "out"), it was thick and bumpy for about 2 years
afterwards -- it still looks funny.
 
I know that ferrets can have adverse reactions to anesthesia -- my Bailey
died because her liver couldn't break down the anesthetic after a 2+ hour
surgery -- but the pain and trauma of having a nail clipped can't be good
for a ferret.  If your ferret is perfectly healthy, fine, clip the nail.
But most of the time, ferrets that have blood drawn are already sick and
not feeling well, and well, I can still hear Nookie's scream.  I'll go for
the anesthesia and the neck or tail blood draw any day.
 
I know all about doing what's best for them even if they don't like it -- I
subjected Bailey to six months of painful medical treatment trying to save
her.  But none of it was unnecessarily painful, and it was unavoidable to
diagnose and treat her.  This is completely avoidable!  I think clipping a
nail is only useful for inexperienced vets who can't find veins, and anyone
who thinks it's not a big deal should try it on their own nail.
 
Melissa, Miskhka, and Buttons.
[Posted in FML issue 2919]