This is Michael and Joycev from Columbus Ohio.  I would like to tell you a
story about a pet store and distemper shots.  I bought a male dark sable,
suppose to be 3 months old.  at a pet store on may 26 of this year.  When I
bought him I was told he was healthy, had all his shots, and was a Marshall
Farms ferret.  Lindey died on June 20 of distemper.
 
He showed signs of sickness from the very first day, He had loose stools,
lack of appetite, tired, crusty paw pads, and a swollen anus area.  The
vet did not know it was distemper because we assumed he had all his shots,
that's what we were told, and ferrets have only been legal in Franklin
county for a little over a year, so he was not that experienced.  I stayed
up five nights straight with Lindey giving him baby food, pedialyte,
amoxocillian, and keopectate.  He peed on my, pooped on me, puked on me,
and slept in my arms just like a baby.  In the end his fight was lost in
a horrible way and he died.  I called the pet store and he finally gave
me a book from Marshall Pets.  They told me they do not guarantee a ferret
dieting from a virus.  When I Called the pet store and ask him what I
should do.  He told me to.  "Put ketchup on him and eat him." and he hung
up the phone.  I had just taken Lindey to be cremated right before this.
There is nothing I can really do to the man.  There are no laws or
regulations regarding shots and giving them to animals before they are
sold, or boosters given if the ferret is in need and old enough for them.
he got by with it Scott free.  I get the shots now as soon as I have the
ferret they get it and three more.  I no longer listen to shots have been
given.  You can never tell.
 
Marshall Pets gives a first shot that only last until about 9 weeks old and
then they MUST have the other two, or they get distemper and die.  I am
sorry for what you are going through.  I hope it is not distemper.  but why
are three other two not gotten there distemper shots by now.  It is
airborne and can be brought in from grass on the shoes or on clothes.  They
have to have those shots.
 
I miss my little boy.  He was grand and had so much love to give.  I am
trying to have the pet store shut down, I have been in the newspaper, on
the radio, and I have talked at a ferret meeting here in town.  LInda
Harra, and Scatlette Grey have been good support.  Good luck with your
boys.  Please make sure shots are given don't believe what you hear unless
it is a reputable breeder..  Michael and Joycev
[Posted in FML issue 2750]