From:
Christopher Bennett
Date: 2001-06-08 05:22:00 UTC
Subject: New File, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center safety tips to
prevent ferret poisoning
Dr. Jill A. Richardson graciously sent us the ASPCA Animal
Poison Control Center safety tips to prevent ferret poisoning
and I included it in the file library. Here it is for those of
you who don't get to us except through email.
You can access the file at the URL
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list/files/ferretspetpoisonsafetytips.doc
It appears in it's entirety beneath my disclaimer. Something
really strange happened to the bullets when I tried to affect
the line spacing and I'm afraid trying to fix it will make it
worse... so with apologies, the stuff that looks like Braille
is my fault.
Christopher & Crew
http://christopher.bennett.org
Jacksonville Area Ferret Fanciers Association, Founder/
President
Ferret Health List, Owner
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list
(disclaimer: Any medical opinions expressed by me should be
immediately relayed to a licensed, practicing veterinarian to
give him or her a good belly laugh.)
Ferret Poison Safety Tips
Please follow these guidelines to protect your
ferrets from being exposed to poisons.
· Be aware of the plants you have in your home. The
ingestion of azalea, oleander, sago palm, or yew plant
material by a ferret could be fatal.
· Never allow your ferrets to have access to the
areas in which cleaning agents are being used or stored.
Cleaning agents have a variety of properties; some may only
cause mild stomach upset, but others can cause severe burns
of the tongue, mouth and stomach.
· When using rat, mouse, snail or slug baits, or
ant or roach traps, place the products in areas that are
inaccessible to your ferrets. Some bait contains sweet
smelling inert ingredients, such as jelly, peanut butter or
sugar that can attract your pets.
· Never give your ferrets medication unless you
are directed to do so by a veterinarian. Many medications
that are safe for humans can be deadly for animals. For
example, one 200mg-ibuprofen tablet could be lethal to an
average sized ferret.
· Keep all prescription and over-the-counter drugs
out of your ferrets' reach, preferably in closed cabinets.
Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs,
antidepressants, vitamins and diet pills are all examples of
human medications that can be lethal to ferrets, even in
small doses.
· Many common household items can be lethal to
animals. Mothballs, potpourri oils, coffee grounds, homemade
play dough, fabric softener sheets, dishwashing detergent,
batteries, cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, pennies, and hand
and foot warmers could be dangerous for your ferret.
· Before buying a flea product for use on your
ferret, ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.
· Read all of the information on the label before
using a product on your ferret or in your home. Always
follow the directions.
· Make sure your ferrets do not enter areas in
which foggers or house sprays have been used for the period
of time indicated on the label.
· If you are uncertain about the usage of any
product, ask the manufacturer and/or your veterinarian for
instructions.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, an operating division
of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (ASPCA) is a unique, emergency hotline providing
24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week telephone assistance to
veterinarians and pet owners. Veterinary professionals provide
around-the-clock, on-site coverage of the Center. The licensed
staff members share over one hundred and ten years of combined
call center experience and over seventy-five years of combined
toxicology, clinical, and diagnostic experience. The phone
number of the Center is 1-888-4-ANI-HELP (1-888-426-4435) and
the website is www.apcc.aspca.org.