Date: Fri, 2 Dec 1994 10:38:01 -0600
From: [log in to unmask]
To Amy Casa
>I have 4 ferrets, all approaching three years old, never a day of
>sickness, obstruction, or diarrhea among them (I am very lucky, to be
>sure). I gaily called the vet the other day to find out how much it
>would be to do the CBC and fasting blood glucose tests along with
>their examinations so that I would have a baseline to compare later
>tests to. The cost? $109 PER FERRET for the blood tests only. The
>exam is another $25-30 on top of that. If I need to get dental work
>done, add another $50 for cleaning and antibiotics. I can't believe
>that is is going to cost me in the neighborhood of $180 each to get
>checkups for well animals. It is getting so that we can only take our
>animals in for yearly once-overs and when they're sick.
Amy, I agree. But not to worry. I know that some practicing vets
consider a 3-year animal to be "geriatric" and to require a CBC and a
fasting blood glucose yearly, but as one who stands to make no money
on this deal anyway, I don't recommend it until age 5. Three years is
just to young to consider a ferret geriatric.
Now, remember, all ferrets are different. If you have one that is
sort of "puny", never eats well, sluggish, etc. a yearly CBCand
glucose is a good idea every year. But if your three (or 4 year olds
are healthy, as you say), well, then it's just not required. I start
mine at 5 years.
Considering dental work - have your vet check the teeth and then
recommend who needs it. Not every ferret will need to have it done,
and if your 4 year olds have been on hard food all of their lives,
chances are good that they may not need any work yet.
Remember - a healthy 3- or 4-year old doesn't necessarily require
any annual bloodwork, but a sickly 2 year old should get it on at
least an annual basis.
Bruce Williams, DVM Department of Veterinary Pathology
[log in to unmask] Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
(202) 782-2600/2602 Washington, D.C. 20306-6000
[Posted in FML issue 1034]
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