From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2007-11-22 17:40:02 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: how to get blood
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Thank you for that technique. I wonder if the skin is thicker or the veins more inclined to
shift in the genetic population there than here. We have had only two who regularly
needed gas to get blood (and Iso can shift at least one of the numbers in results -- off
hand, I can not recall which but i know that is in the archives) and only one who needed a
cut-down.
What usually works with our thin-skinned crew is this:
Have one person do a scruff while holding the front legs downward over the corner of the
table. Have another provide a treat (and in some cases prevent the rear end from
shifting). The vet shaves (usually but not always). Some (not all) get a bit of numbing
dermal gel and a short wait, and then back into position. The vet pats the vein till there is
a clear target. This technique pretty much always works BUT for the ones who panic, or
the ones whose veins shift around a lot, or the ones with narrow veins, or the ones with
really thick skin then it simply won't.
BTW, we have had ferrets for over a quarter century, and among the differences between
decades ago and now that Steve and I have noticed (from personal experience and also
from talking with ferret people in North America) are not just increased rates of
endocrinological tumors in more recent U.S. ferrets (also noticed by Dr. Karen Rosenthal
as per pers. com.), reduced life spans in some (esp. since fancy markings became so
popular), and so on, but also that the more current ferrets here seem to have thinner and
less leathery skin than the ones decades ago. I wonder if anyone else has noticed that?
I wonder if the skin you deal with is more like what we used to encounter; I know that
many of the fancy genetics that appear to carry health burdens have been avoided in some
parts of Europe more than they have been here. If at least one of those also has a bit of a
benefit through more easily taken blood, well, then at least not everything beyond
appearance considerations is bad... (Every cloud has a silver lining?)
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