>From:    Jim Gsoell <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: help! I am a nervous first time ferret owner
 
relax... Ferrets are not as brittle as you've been led to believe.  Not
indesctructible but pretty sturdy.
 
Descenting will not normally hurt them.  Its rare to have problems from it.
 
I'll combine the distemper Q with the next response.
 
>From:    Jeff Blake <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: New Ferret Q's!
>I have read about ferrets requiring vaccinations every year, but the only
>vaccination required is a rabies vaccination.
 
CDV (canine distemper virus) can kill ferrets.  They should be vaccinated
(Fervac-D is the only USDA approved vaccine - some folks use Galaxy-D but it
is untested and not approved by the USDA but it probably works) at 8 weeks,
11 weeks and 14 weeks.  Then a single booster every year after that.
 
Rabies vaccine (Imrab-3) should be given at about 12 weeks and then yearly
after that.
 
>Is it true that one ferret will react to different people in different
>manners?
 
Yes.  But perfume could do it.
 
>Does the color/type of the ferret have anything to do with it's temperment
 
No.  None.  Some times it appears that way from a single breeder as color
and temperament can both be inherited together.
 
>Lastly, I have been considering trying to find a breeder in my area
 
You gave the reasons we recommend breeders over pet stores.  Most pet store
employees don't know - definitely not all as some on this list work at pet
stores.  Do consider shelters too.  Homeless ferrets need help and often
make the best "first ferrets".
 
Can't track where you are based on wlu.ca so you need to pass more info for
referals.
 
>From:    Anonymous Poster <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Video/J.Briscoe-VanessaA.
 
Relax on the basement bit.  Some of us have finished basements that are as
nice as or nicer than the rest of the house.  Ferrets need cooler
temperatures than people and the lowest part of houses are cooler than the
top part.  In our new house the basement is nicer than the rest of the house
and has a seperate A/C and heat control so I can set the temperature FOR the
ferrets to be different the the temperature for the baby.  Human infants
need warmer temperatures than ferrets.  We try to make everything right for
everybody.
 
I'd be much more worried about a ferret in an attic... <grin>
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1904]