RE: Mark & Wheezie and vaccine reaction Any vaccine can cause a reaction at any time in any animal or person. My experience with ferret vaccines, however, is that we have had a rare reaction with the Fromm D canine distemper vaccine which has been used successfully in ferrets but is NOT USDA APPROVED for use in ferrets (an important legal distinction). Although it is relatively reaction free, there have been anaphylactic (going into shock) reactions reported to me. The only USDA APPROVED canine distemper vaccine for ferrets which is FERRVAC D by United Vaccine we had a fair amount of stinging reactions with when it first came out and some anaphylactic reactions, but no deaths. Since it was first realeased, the company has reformulated the solution that the virus is put in (the vehicle) 3 more times. The current formulation we have had only a very rare sting with and no anaphylactic reactions. But that doesn't mean it can't ever happen. We have also had anaphylactic reactions with the Imrab by Pitman Moore which is the ONLY APPROVED RABIES vaccine for ferrets, although it is a rare occurence and we have had no deaths. All this just points out the need to be observant of our pets when they have received treatments or medications whether they be in the vet's office or at home. Watch them for 10-20 minutes after the treatment to make sure there is no problem, or that they didn't vomit up a medication and thus not get any, etc. Don't just let them loose on the floor to hide and you will never know what happened. It is rare in all animals and in humans to have deaths from current vaccines, usually the reaction is short term, and with medications such as steroids or epinephrine, the reaction can be minimized. RE: Heartworm medication In Illinois you need heartworm medication, heartworm occurs in ferrets not by accident, ferrets are natural hosts for heartworm. We use either the injectible form of Ivermectin given orally, or the nice chewable pills of Milbemycin (Interceptor), once monthly. In fact, heartworm disease should be ruled out in many cases of heart disease in the ferret in heartworm infested areas of the country. The way to detect heartworm disease in the ferret is through a CITE test (Blood test) although, if they only have one worm in their heart or if it is the wrong sex of worm, the test may be negative...but it is the most sensitive test to date for small amounts of worms (used also in cats). The other way is through an ultrasound where the heartworm is actually visualized in the heart. Bottom line...use preventitive medication, it's much easier to prevent than treat. RE: Ferret breeders in Illinois There is no one consistently breeding ferrets in our area (Chicago) that I know of but there are several people that have ferrets availableat different times of the year. Two of them are our technicians at our clinic. Contact our clinic (Midwest Bird and Exotic ANimal Hospital, Westchester, IL at 708-344-8166 or FAX to 708-344-8194) and we will see what is available. You also might try adopting a worthy ferret through our ferret shelter of the Greater Chicago FErret Association in Westmont, IL. Call 708-964-4232. We need more sources of home raised ferrets that are not neutered prior to maturity. RE: Feeding of carrots I don't think this is such a great idea. Ferrets cannot handle the digestion of fibrous foods well. If you have to give carrots, grate it first so any undigested amounts can pass through easily. Another favorite is banana. Be careful not to give more than a small slice. We had one client several years ago that decided that if one slice was good, then a third of the banana would be even more fun. The ferret came in writhing in agony from a severly bloated stomach and essentially a blockage of the stomach opening (the pylorus). We had to do emergency surgery and removed globs of sticky, mucousy banana and fluid from the stomach. It was an expensive lesson! The ferret did fine after surgery and 5 years later has survived chemotherapy for lymphoma, adrenal and pancreatic surgery and multiple skin tumor removals. In general, I don't like to give more than 1 tsp/adult ferret/day of a fruit or veggie type food. Melon is popular as is cucumber and green pepper. STAY AWAY FROM SUGARY STUFF. I don't even like raisins anymore because people overdo on those and when the ferrets develop insulinomas (insulin secreting tumors of the pancreas) the raisins can aggravate the condition with their sugar content. RE: Cystic kidneys First, I wanted to say that it is so extremely rare to have a ferret chew out its sutures. They will lick at them certainly, but to chew them out would indicate to me some pain or discomfort with the sutures. I have seen this reported with steel sutures in ferrets. Normally we use a small gauge 4-0 nylon suture or small skin staples (which they don't even lick at usually). Sometimes, dog and cat vets use much larger size suture because that is what they are used to in those animals and maybe it is a bit irritating. Ferrets are some of the best animals ever for NOT bothering their sutures. As far as cystic kidneys...we have at least 6 cases a year of either cystic kidneys (likely a genetic problem) or hydronephrosis (a fluid filled enlargement of the kidney) which is usually caused by an obstruction of the outflow of the kidney (the ureter). The hydronephrosis in the young neutered ferret (female always) is due to complications of the spay where they tie off the ureter along with the stump of the ovary and produce a dysfunctional kidney. I highly recommend pathology be done on all these cases, as cystic kidneys can also eventually affect the other kidney and hydronephrosis is curable by removing the affected kidney...i.e. they have very different prognoses. Most commonly we have seen cystic kidneys occuring in older ferrets, but when it occurs in the young, we have seen it on both sides and usually the life span is greatly shortened. If the other kidney looked normal, it sounds like you may have had the hydronephrosis condition and everything should be okay. There is no special diet other than what has already been discussed over and over on this board. You might want to have kidney function blood tests and a urinalysis done at 6 month intervals for a couple of years and then annually if all is well after that. Dr. Williams...any comments on the occurence and etiology of polycystic kidneys in the ferret?????? Susan Brown, D.V.M. [Posted in FML issue 0806]