>How dangerous is it to take blood from the jugular of a very squirmy
>ferret?  My vet says she is confident that she can get the blood with her
>awake, but Kiwi doesn't have a lot of loose skin on her scruff, and often
>wiggles out of a scruff hold.  In fact, during her exam, neither the vet
>nor I were completely successful holding her still for more than a few
>seconds.  Of course I would worry about gassing her down to get the blood
>too, and ...
 
Drawing blood is not dangerous, even if anesthesia is needed.  Quite
honestly, I usually have one of my techs hold a bottle of ferretone near
the ferret's nose, while scruffing, and usually before the ferret knows
it, I have the sample.  If that doesn't work, don't hesitate to use a
little bit of anesthetic to get the blood sample.  But, I suspect that
your girl is just dreaming.  Several of mine have periods where they seem
to dream a lot, then they go back to normal.
 
Dr. Ruth
*****************************************
Save lives - spay or neuter your pet.
 
[Sukie note: it's the same technique we use at vet's and the ferrets
hardly notice it or completely ignore it in favor of the treat.]
[Posted in FML issue 3665]