From:
sukieferret
Date: 2002-05-04 16:47:00 UTC
Subject: Re: the value of some medical procedures on your sick
ferret
> Belle (it was 70) and the vet said it could show higher than it
> actually is due to the stress response, then we don't have a
> accurate reading! it seems to me that vigilance for any subtle
> change, since you know what is normal for YOUR ferret is the
> way to go
Certainly behavioral changes are essential to watch.
We have not had the problems that you had with blood tests.
What we do to reduce stress is that Steve and I hold the ferrets
and we provide treats while blood is drawn. The stress level is
minimal; they've actually usually mind the alcohol swab more
than the blodd drawing.
Remember that some ferret have hidden insulinoma; they
adjust. The problem is that not catching it till it is advanced can
make it harder to treat.
> I also don't see the benefit of a rabies shot or heartworm
> prevention on my ferret. She never goes outdoors, there are
> no other animals in the household, besides us, and we are
> fenced
Do you ever have mosquitos get into your house? Exposure to
heartworm isn't exactly hard to acheive for someone in an area
that is prone to it, and even in areas where it is uncommon you
learn of some who get it.
The rabies vaccinations also provide protection in case anyone
claims that your ferret bit him or her. One very sad reality of the
years before the Compendium of Animal Rabies Control
changed is that one would periodically read about ex-boyfriends
or ex-girlfriends who made accusations, and certainly many
recall when an elderly man scratched himself on Kodo's cage
and Kodo was ordered destroyed.
Besides, at times bats do get in, and there are bat species
which are rabies vector animals. Granted, very few of them are
going to be infected, but it's such a truly horrible disease, and
sometimes there simply are bad years for it's spread as is
happneing this year in much of New England, the Middle Atlantic,
and Kansas (possibly other areas as well).