>-ferrets need to have benadryl before their shots or they could go into
> shock and die
 
While it's true that some ferret's have had serious allergic reactions to
vaccines, this is still a very small percentage of the population.  Most
ferrets can be vaccinated safely and of the handful I've seen that are
allergic to the vaccines, pretreatment with benedry seemed to have little
value.
 
>-there is a ferret distemper shot, but canine distemper is better (this
>I've heard, is it true?)
 
There is only vaccine offically approved by the FDA for use in ferrets and
it contains modified live CANINE distemper virus.  Before the approval, I
have used the other commercially available vaccines (which differ little in
content from Fervac) with no problems.
 
>-ferrets need to have heartorm pills
 
Not being from a heartworm area, I can only relate what I've been told.
WHile there is still controversy, more and more vets are recommending
heartworm prevention for ferrets.  I can only add that the current drugs
available seem to have little ill effects on healthy animals, so I guess I
would recommend them too if I were in an area where it was endemic.
 
>-tartar buildup is a common problem (this i hadn't heard, but it's common
>in cats and dogs so it doesn't surprise me)
 
Tartar buildup is a common problem in almost anything that has teeth!  (ask
your dentist if you're still not convinced) I used the yearly vaccination as
an excuse to check for this and other potential health problems in my
patients.
 
hope this helps
 
--
Bruce S. Levine, DVM
Bird & Exotic Animal Practice, Placentia and Newport Bch, CA
"Lost in Cyberspace"
[Posted in FML issue 1633]