From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-08-18 14:06:50 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Obese ferrets?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5984272.1124374010915.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Author wrote:
> the vet checked his mouth and his gums were positively horrible. They were
> red, and they bled when touched. The vet also commented that there was
> build up and even scraped a "piece" off with his fingernail. I saw Boo
Just as with humans ferrets can get gingivitis.
It sounds like it may be time to discuss if or when you should consider a referral to a veterinary dentist/veterinary dental surgeon.
There is a good article in the latest "Ferrets" magazine on this problem. You can buy those in a range of bookstores or petstores.
(The dental eruption section was apparently in rewrite and would up inserted with errors but other than that it is good read, so FYI here are the dental eruption ages in approximate days after birth from
page 37, _Biology and Diseases of the Ferret, 2nd edition_:
"The deciduous teeth erupt between 20 and 28 days"
and on page 36, same text this data:
Upper
Canine: 50 days
Molar 1: 53 days
Premolars 2, 3 and 4: 60 days
Lower:
Canine and Molar 1: 50 days
Premolar 2: 60 days
Premolar 3: 67 days
Premolar 4 and Molar 2: 74 days
The eruption ages for the incisors are more variable, but the others are tight enough that you can age a ferret kit with them.)
If your vet does not know anyone with that specialty but thinks that it is time for specialized care the chances are that if you Google you can find an association or website which can help you, and these will help:
http://www.vetcontact.com/en/vet.php?k=91
and
http://www.avdc.org/
Of course, it is possible that your ferret is not at that point, yet, so find out from your vet what you can do to avoid getting there.