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]