http://www.smartgroups.com/message/readmessage.cfm?gid=1423922&messageid=225
 
>I live in a very rural area.  The veterinarian here is admittedly "not
>up" on Ferrets.  I went in and asked him if he could order the Purevac
>ferret vaccine for mine.  He said he had never had any trouble using the
>canine distemper...I just said I would feel more comfortable with the
>ferret one.  He has them on order and will call me when it comes in.  My
>question is....as a routine physical, what should he be doing/checking?
>This way, in case anything is left out, I could ask him to do it.  The
>oldest ferret "Mikey" just turned a year a week ago.
 
I applaud your decision to ask for the approved vaccine.  While the
vaccines used for dogs are often used in ferrets, Purevac has been
studied and approved for ferrets.
 
He should be doing a complete physical, just as he would do for any other
animal.  The abdomen, musculature, lymph nodes, etc should be palpated
(felt) for abnormalities.  The chest should be carefully listened to and
felt for normal compressibility.  The mouth, ears, nose, eyes, etc should
all be checked.  At this age, I do not routinely run bloodwork, but a
stool sample should be checked for any parasites.
 
Other tests should be done as indicated by the results of the physical
exam.  Also, I strongly recommend giving the rabies and distemper vaccines
at separate visits, at least two weeks apart.  And do wait in the office
for at least a half hour after the vaccines are given in case of
reactions.
 
You may wish to consider purchasing an up to date veterinary text and
loaning or giving it to your vet, so that recent information is available.
 
>I bathe them about every 10 days to two weeks,I alternate between a
>ferret flea shampoo and a moisturizing shampoo, I find no more than a
>couple of fleas on any one of them.  They are still scratching like crazy,
>no hair loss.  Can a drop or two of the canine "advantage" be used?  I am
>guessing probably not, but thought I would ask.
 
First of all, yes, Advantage can be used on ferrets, although it is not
labelled for use on them.  I usually use three drops.  Secondly, bathing
ferrets as often as you are doing will dry their skin, making them itchy.
My ferrets rarely get bathed, and it's usually because I'm about to take
them to a show.
 
Dr. Ruth
*****************************************
Save lives - spay or neuter your pet.
[Posted in FML issue 3841]