Message Number: YG7601 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Jacqueline Snyder
Date: 2001-10-02 03:22:00 UTC
Subject: Note on a few Utah ferrets and a rabies question

Rabies question (animals in general, not just ferrets) - Why are animals
that have bitten killed and a brain sample taken? More accurately, why are
they still handled this way? I recall this practice from my childhood
decades ago--surely someone has developed a less drastic method of checking
for the rabies organism?

Wanted to share a good thing about a few Utah ferrets--I am very happy to
report that the four we received are in pretty good health, all things
considered. The vet check yesterday went quite well. They range in age from
8, then 6, then 3, to 1 (approximately, of course, based on teeth). They
are all thin, but the vet believes that with good feeding, the younger
three will do well. The old fellow is so old that he is likely near the end
of his days. He's blind, very thin, and appears to have arthritis in his
spine. We'd thought two of the females might have ulcers, but it looks as
if they don't. One has gingivitis. No suspicions of disease so far at all.
No signs of anything contagious--no vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, nor any
other disease symptoms.