To everyone,
 
        Once again, the network at the AFIP was down, so I couldn't post
anything from Fri-Mon.  Thanks Laura, for taking care of the brown tooth (yes,
it most likely is dying.  Brenda, if you don't have it looked at, infection may
spresad to the jawbone and your ferret may lose surrounding teeth.  Sorry to see
that happen - small chips usually don't cause much problem.
 
        Urine-specific gravity question - Specific gravity is generally like a
cat.  If the specific gravity is 1.007, there appears to be some functionality
in Espy's kidneys, Linda - because the kidney seems to be able to dilute it.  As
I said in my post (which is still sitting on the hard drive at home) - we are
only working with a few pieces of infromation here.  I would suggest taking Espy
back to the vet for a complete CBC and chemistry panel so we can take a good
hard look at her kidneys and other organ systems.
 
        Temperature question (Laura, you didn't anwer this one) -
 
        Temperatures in ferrets have been reported to range from 101-104.2.
Normal is generally around 102.4-102.8.
 
 
        Finally vaccination question from Dave and Dawn Adams -
 
        Your pet needs three to four canine distemper shots - she probably
received one at the breeder, but has none since....pet stores generally don't
vaccinate, even if the shots are long overdue.
 
        Distemper shots are given at 6,9,12, and 16 weeks.  Make sure that your
vet is not using vaccines grown in ferret cell culture (there are very few of
these anymore), because these can actually give a ferret distemper.  Ask for a
vaccine in duck or chicken embryo cell lines.  Fervac-D is the best vaccine at
the moment, as it is made especially for ferrets.
 
        At 16 weeks, your ferret should also receive a rabies shot.  This must
be Imrab, by Pitman-Moore.  It is the only vaccine approved fro ferrets.
Remember, however, proof of vaccination is not sufficient in most locales to
keep the county health authorities from confiscating your pet should a bite
incident occur....
 
        If you are in a heartworm-endemic area, I would also check with your vet
about heartworm prevention for your ferret...
 
 
        At any rate - thanks for the help, Laura.  I wasn't busy - just unable
to upload my posts.  I am currently trying to get a second, emergency mail
account on another network, because the net here is THE WORST IN THE WORLD.
 
       Bruce Williams, DVM                 Department of Veterinary Pathology
       [log in to unmask]         Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
       (202) 782-2600/2602                 Washington, D.C.  20306-6000
[Posted in FML issue 1042]