Hello Everyone,
 
Had a couple of days off and thought I would try and write something I have
been meaning to for awhile. Let's see who I can manage to make mad this time.
 
Someone had asked a bit ago about how they could boost the immune systems in
ferrets.  Although there are lots of good herbals to help in this, I think
it should be approached from a slightly different viewpoint.
 
The first way to help the immune system is to provide good nutrition.  I
have always fed all of my animals a varied diet, including some "junk"
foods.  But dear Mr. Bob is doing a wonderful job of explaining this, far
better than I certainly could.  Thank you Mr. Bob.  ;-)
 
Another way is to reduce stressors on the immune system.  I am not talking
disease here, I am talking about all the other things in daily life that can
affect a bodies ability to function properly.
 
First, make sure you have a happy ferret.  If they get depressed, or bored
too much, this can suppress their systems.  And try and love on them each
day.  It makes a huge difference, to have that body contact.
 
Second, limit stressors in the environment.  Think of it this way, all the
chemicals, cleaners, dust, etc.  tax the bodies immune system, by giving it
too much to try and get rid of.  Try to use less harmful, more elbow grease
cleaners.  Get stuff without all the perfumes in it.
 
I use citrus based cleansers, borax, and chlorine for the litter boxes.
The chlorine kills me, but it will kill any kind of germs, so for the boxes
I consider it a must.  Of course, you only need one part chlorine to 8
parts water to disenfect.
 
Citrus based cleaners are great for almost anything.  Different dilutions
for different jobs, and they can be wiped up easily without worry of the
ferrets getting into it.
 
Borax does a great job on scrubbing down sinks, toilets and almost anything
else, and it doesn't scratch.
 
Even get some perfume free dishwasher soap.  That machine exhausts right
into your kitchen.
 
And switch to frangrance and dye free laundry soaps and fabric softners.
Laundry soap is a big allergen, because of the dyes and perfumes in it.  I
have to hold my breath to walk down the laundry aisle at grocer's.
 
Also think about taking this a step further.  Look at your personal grooming
aids, deoderants, perfumes, hairspray, soaps.  That is a lot of perfumes and
chemicals you are putting into your homes, for you and your ferrets to
breath.
 
You don't have to skip bathing and get hairy like a monkey to do this.
Well, unless you want to.  hehe.
 
But by eliminating this kind of stress on your ferret's immune system, it
leaves more energy for it to battle disease.  You can't avoid everything,
but everything you do manage to avoid gives a little more to fight with.
 
Vitamin C is an old standard for immune systems. I add it to all of my duck
soup recipes. Also added is acidolpholous powder, for healthy flora in the
g.i. tract. And vitamins, I use Pet Tinic, available at your vet's.
 
On a side note, Mazel Tov (aka Natasha) gave me kisses last night!  This is
a first.  Of course, it was on my foot, since I don't hold her up to my
face yet, but I am a happy fert mom.  But man oh man does that woman have
an attitude.  But then, all the women here have an attitude (me included)
so she fits right in.  I think my Celtic gene is rubbing off on them.
 
If you don't know what I am talking about, try telling a woman of any Celtic
origin to do something.  Order her.  Of course, you best have the EMT's
standing by first.  ;-)
 
Maggie Mae and the 26 Musty Monkeys of Mid Mo
 
"I understand what I am still to proud to mention."
Alanis
[Posted in FML issue 2324]