Hello, I have a few questions for all of you experienced ferret owners out
there.  I am new to the ferret seen haveing only been gifted, and I mean
gifted because I got her and the whole ferret kit and kaboodle from a friend
for free with my little Cuddles for about 3 months.  I have found that she
is a wonderful companion and have learned alot about her throgh LOS.  a
ferret group that I joined in the PA area and the internet.  But still a few
questions remain.  First What does Dooks mean?  Second my ferret has a small
lump on the end of her tail, which I was told to be a tumor.  I was told to
watch it and see if it increased in size and it hasn't since I have owned my
little darling but I would like to know if there are any ways of treating
the tumor without removal from the dreaded vet.  Thirdly, my little girl
unfortunately, likes to bite.  I have read dribbs and drabs, but is there
any real way to stop it.  She loves to wake me up at 6:00 am.  and bite my
toes.  We also play like a kitten would finger wrestling, only sometimes she
bites very hard unlike a kitten would.  I should know better Huh.
 
Date:    Sat, 8 Feb 1997 01:04:30 +0000
From:    "Karen Purcell, DVM" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Good news
 
Hopefully this isn't old news.  I just received the recent update from the
Massachusetts Dept of Public Health.  I've edited to limit bureaucratese.
The new policy re: quarantine in ferrets is: effective immediately, a 10 day
quarantine period for ferrets is recommended under the following
circumstances:
 
 -Ferrets that bite or scratch people or expose a person's mucous
  membranes or fresh cuts or scratches to saliva will be quarantined
  for 10 days, just like dogs and cats, unless certain circumstances
  exist. Pet store ferrets that expose people will not be released to
  new owners until the 10 day quarantine period is complete.
 -If the following circumstances exist, then the ferret should be
  euthanized and tested for rabies instead of being quarantined for 10
  days:
   -the ferret has signs consistent with rabies as determined by a
    veterinarian or Dept of F & W representative, or it develops signs
    consistent with rabies during the quarantine period;
   -the ferret is demonstrating behavior that is unusual for the
    particular ferret (as determined by one of the individuals listed
    above).
-If, for any reason, the ferret dies during the 10 day quarantine, its
 head should be submitted for rabies testing.
 
This quarantine period applies regardless of the vaccination status of the
animal.  As with dogs and cats, veterinarians will NOT be responsible for
enforcing the quarantine (emphasis theirs).  Ferret quarantines are handled
by the MA Dept of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement.  If
you know of a ferret that has bitten or otherwise exposed a person, please
contact Dr. Tom French (508-792-7270) or Bob Arini (617-727-3151).
 
Now, we just need to get Dr. French cloned and put in charge of the
California Fish and Gestapo!!!
 
-Dr. Karen
 
[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1842]