As the Newsletter Editor of the Triangle Ferret Lovers club, I have made the decision NOT to publish the Sep/Oct TriFL newsletter due to the hurricane damage and recovery efforts in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, North Carolina, as well as the lack of information about local alternative "foster" ferret shelters since Rogues Gallery is temporarily closed, except for emergency cases. MANY ferret owners are without electric and/or phone power. It is essential club members (all email addresses were emailed this post) reach all ferret area owners and assist them with the care of their ferrets, since weather conditions are WELL over 85 F degrees in the area. If you can assist or NEED ice, water, a warm shower, food, air condition for ferrets and their owners in the Triangle, PLEASE let the following know: Andrea Miralia, Durham (919) 309-9288 Pam & Dave Taynor, Raleigh (919) 785-0687 Jeff Johnston, Chapel Hill (xxx) xxx-xxxx [removed by request] Theo (pronounced Tao) Dingemanas, Chapel Hill (919) 942-8413 or 962-1610 (he has dry ice if you need it) Thank you for all your support in this crisis, Shari Gunter, Raleigh (w) 872-1174, (h) 231-3222 [log in to unmask] Summer HEAT and Your Ferret... It is imperative for you to keep your ferrets cool in the hot weather. The following is an excerpt from the May/June Triangle Ferret Lovers club newsletter: Ferrets do not tolerate heat well at all. Even temperatures in the 80s (above 27xC or so) can cause problems, and older ferrets can be even more sensitive. The first thing to do is to prevent heat exposure in the first place, by providing shade and plenty of cool water. If you live in a hot climate, you must realize that your ferret will need special care in mid-summer. NEVER leave a ferret or any pet in a car in hot weather, even with the windows partly open. There are a couple of ways to keep your ferrets cooler if you don't have air conditioning. Fans are an obvious idea, and 1 or 2 plastic bottles of ice wrapped in a towel is also helpful. You can drape a damp towel over your ferrets' cage, set a bucket of water on top, and drape another wet rag over the side of the bucket so one end is at the bottom of the bucket and the other is on the cage towel. The rag acts as a wick to keep the towel wet, and the cage stays cooler from evaporation. Ferrets DO NOT have sweat glands and are somewhat compromised in their ability to maintain normal body temperature in warm temperatures. A fert in distress from heat will first pant, then go limp, then lose touch with their surroundings. First - get the ferret out of the hot place and start cooling him down slowly. Cool water is best, but NOT too cold, since the ferret's body temperature will drop way too far, with him unable to stop it. Anything you can get him to drink is good (besides alcohol), but never force liquids into an unconscious animal. After these emergency measures, get your pet to the vet immediately. Even ferrets that seem to have recovered may die within 48 hours due to the massive shock they have undergone. Things to watch for include tarry stools and vomiting. REMINDER: High 80's temperature is too hot for your pet/s to be outdoors. Always provide plenty of water, ample shade (with a breeze or A/C) and a cool temp. Never leave your ferret in a car! Cool down your ferret slowly, with a spray water bottle, bath, and/or liquid. [Posted in FML issue 1687]