We have a three month old ferret that unfortunately jumped out of my arms and into the metal edge of our Doctor's examining table when we brought her in for her shots. She fractured her top left canine tooth about 1/3 of the way down. Our Vet says that the tip of the tooth pulp has been exposed, and with time can and most-likely will eventually abcess and become infected. So, we understand our options are either pull the tooth or do a root canal and then cap the tooth. Our vet said that he will pull the tooth for $75. He has never pulled a ferret's tooth but has done cat's and dogs, and that ferret's teeth are a lot like a cats and he would be comfortable doing the procedure. He is a very nice person and so far we have been very pleased with his services. The complications of pulling the tooth, he said, was a small chance of fracturing her jaw because that particular tooth (the canines) are very difficult to extract. Also there is a small chance that a fistula can open and so she would have a hole from the extracted tooth leading into her nasal passage. He said that can heal, but is troublesome because food will get impacted up there and go into here nose. Option 2, was to refer us to a veteranary oral surgeon to do a root canal and then cap the tooth for $250. The problem is that there is still no guarrantee that an infection will not eventually develop even with the root canal and cap. Also, the ferret will have to be put under anethesia twice, once to make an impression, then again for the actual procedure. And, caps can fall off. He said that we can also take a wait and see approach. He will see the ferret every three months free of charge to make sure everything is okay, and then if an infection does develope, do something then. I want to do what is right for our pet, and also what is less painful to her. Our vet said that the canine is not essential, she doesn't eat food with it, so if we pull the tooth when it heals it will be okay. Pulling the tooth seems to have less risk of future complications. I would pay for the root canal, but I worry about putting her under anethesia twice, and also about caps falling off, in which case, the procedure will have to be repeated at a later date. However, if this is what should be done, I will do it. If anyone could give us advice on this we would be grateful. Malynda Green [Posted in FML issue 1354]