>From:    Avatar <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Temperament differences in the sexes....
>Has anyone else seen a distinct difference in the temperaments between the
>sexes??  ...
 
On the whole, as a *generalization*, we think males to be generally more
trustworthy than females.  Of course, this is merely a generalization, but
with the exception of a few sprites, we are always on the watch for a
"girlie nip" that we don't normally need to keep an eye out for in the
males.  We also find males to be more accepting of new ferrets, exceptions
given to hobs, but I hear things are different on the eastcoast...
 
>From:    Stephen Ross <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Quarantine Question
>Does anyone know if there is a quarantine on ferrets coming INTO Canada
>from overseas?  These will be Canadian ferrets, fully immunized, but they
>will have been overseas for at least a year, possibly more.  Which gov't
>agency do I contact?
 
Ferret coming into Canada need: proof of an approved rabies vaccination,
canine distemper vaccination (both administered no more than one year, but
no less than one month prior to the date of importation) and an international
health certificate from an appropriate veterinarian citing that the ferrets
are free from all communicable diseases and healthy and fit to travel.
 
You will need to contact the Canadian Ministry of Agriculture (Agri-Food
Canada) in order to get an application for a permit to import animals, at a
cost of $25.00 Canadian per permit, maximum three animals per permit (having
the permit does not exempt you from requiring appropriate documentation
regarding the above mentioned).
 
*If* you have a permanent address inside of Canada where the animals will be
residing, they can be quarantined there.  If not, you will be required to
quarantine your animals at a certified kennel.  Be careful where you are
bringing them in - ferret are illegal in various parts of Ontario.
 
Keep in mind however, that this is all the legal mumbo jumbo.  I've gotten
many a ferret into Canada with a rabies tag and a sweet smile.  You won't
usually be required to quarantine your ferrets, but they may request it.
It's best to have all the requirements down pat.
 
The Ferret Association of Greater Vancouver will be uploading all
requirements for importation of ferrets to a web page shortly, cuz we get
asked so often ...
 
To contact Animal Health Programs for specific questions regarding permits
call 1-604-666-7500.
 
>From:    Kim Thomas <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Need more ferret advice
>First, she told me that he needs to be on heartworm medication because one
>worm could kill a ferret, considereing the size of the ferret to the size
>of a heartworm.
 
If you live in an area where heartworm is a danger, then by all means
medicate accordingly.  They can and will kill your ferret.
 
>Second, she recommended "Laxatone", which is a laxative and lubricant for
>hair ball removal.  Can ferrets get hair balls like cats?
 
During coat change (and other times too, for most ferrets indoors) ferrets
will ingest hair after grooming that can "block" them as neat and tidy as a
hunk of rubber.  Laxatone as a preventative is a good idea.
 
>Finally, she told me that he MUST be on a ferret-food diet. ... She
>recommended the Marshall Farms food.  Everything I've read so far leads me
>to believe that Iams does quite well with ferrets.
 
In our opinion, while ferret foods *may* in fact be better, Iams Kitten is a
fine diet for ferrets, especially if your ferret is used to that food, if
you can't get the recommended ferret food, or if it costs too much for you
to feed it.  Anyway, I hear Totally Ferret is far superior to MF food, and
creates less odour as well.
 
>From:    Elizabeth Draus <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: My nerves are frayed and I'm losing sleep over this
>These...these...creatures (cute creatures but never mind) will ***not***
>go in their litterbox!!!!  I've reached the end of my rope....
 
Solution: change to a different type of litterpan.  *None* of our ferrets
will use the dreaded corner litterpans.  We use the vegetable storage
stackable bins (high back/sides, low front) and if the cage is too large for
just one, two usually fit.  They aren't as wide as traditional litterpans,
and they were *made* with ferrets in mind, not vegetables :-) I do know of
one ferret who supposedly broke a leg in the hollow legs of the bins, but
since the other ferret in their care died under mysterious circumstances, it
can be questioned.  Regardless, if you are worried about the possibility of
such an accident, simply tape up the legs so they no longer appear hollow.
We afffix our pans to the cages with cable ties so they can't get flipped
around anyway, thus eliminating the hollow leg problem.
 
Sheena - [log in to unmask]                           |To Err is Ferret  |
Director - Wherret Ferrets Halfway House & Ferretry  |To Forgive...well |
VP - Ferret Association of Greater Vancouver         |...That's Our Job!|
         We're on the Web! http://ww2.portal.ca/~cmc~/ferrets/fagv/
[Posted in FML issue 1720]