Metro

Quarterly Issue # 10 January 2004

Official newsletter of the Metropolitan NY/NJ Ferret Welfare Society, Inc. www.metroferret.com

What's New at Metro Ferret?

Last year was a good one for Kristeen was on the Channel 12 September/October issue of Jersey Metro and it's sponsored shelters. News talking about Metro and the Pets Magazine. We went through lots of changes, at one of these events. ! We had successful fundraising but the more things change, the ! Metro Ferret Joined the New efforts with Current Products, Yankee more they stay the same. Metro is Jersey Animal Welfare Federation as Candles, Garage Sales, and going forward, making an effort to a Voting Member. Tracy and Jo Hammock sales. We thank you all for get back to it's roots and original attended the Animal Welfare your efforts in this, which keep Metro Mission Statement, by holding Conference, and put into practice going. more education seminars, and several of the things that were trying to help the shelters even ! Thanks to all of the fund-raising learned there. more. We hope that you will efforts by club members, we were continue to be part of this effort, ! Metro Ferret's New York able to again make our holiday and thank you for contributing to Charities Registration and tax- donations to 6 different shelters! such a successful 2003! exempt status was obtained, and our Loads of shelter ferrets had happy Authorization to do Business in New holidays! Metro Ferret Accomplishments York was confirmed. for 2003: Contribute to ! Metro Ferret members again Metro Ferret Quarterly! ! Metro Ferret created and pub- assisted with large-scale ferret lished a series of 3 ADV Pamphlets, Do you have a topic that you would rescues. Three of them this year. like to see in our newsletter? and ADV Information packets for We were able to donate to the Do you have an article or a poem Veterinarians. These were distributed that you would like to submit? organizations that handled the to Members, Vets, on our Web Site, rescues for veterinary care of the Please contact us at 908.369.7159 at the Ferret Symposium, and at rescued ferrets. or send an e-mail with your several ferret shows. plain text attachment to: ! Kristeen was again the North [email protected]. ! Metro Ferret manned the ADV East Coordinator for the International Information Table at the Ferret We will be happy to consider your Ferret Symposium. Many of our submission or suggestions! Fandango. We initiated an ADV members attended the event. Those Survey on the web site, allowing us who remained behind cared for the A note about this Newsletter: Metro Ferret accepts to identify demographic information articles from many different sources for this other's ferrets in their absence. for areas of educational need. newsletter. The views expressed within are not necessarily those of Metro Ferret. ! Ferret-related articles written by ! Metro Ferret Members volun- Every attempt is made to provide accurate Tracy were featured in the ASPCA teered at several ferret shows, and information, but Metro Ferret cannot be held Newsletter, and in the liable for errors or omissions. several animal welfare events.

MetroFerret Quarterly Page 1 Issue #10, January 2004 www.metroferret.com Get Your Wardrobe Ready for Spring! Metro Ferret Shop at our on-line store, 'Wish List'** www.cafepress.com/ Supplies: metroferret, and you can Paper Towels in Bulk get yourself or your buddy a Bleach and Laundry Detergent great new golf shirt, coffee Office Equipment: Comb Binding Machine mug, or even a baseball jersey for Re-Writable CD's your sweetie, all with the cool Metro Software: Ferret Logo! Café Press has a large Quark Express for Windows selection of quality items, and each Gift Maker Pro purchase will help Metro to help the Gift Certificates: shelters a little bit more! The Ferret Store Avecon Diagnostics Have you been to the Café today? **If you are interested in donating any of the above, please contact us at 908.369.7159, What if They Spoke Our Language? or e-mail us at Animals communicate in their own way. Maybe it's not [email protected]. Thank you so much for helping Standard English we hear in the early morning bird songs, but make our wishes become reality! it sure is some serious chatting. We always wish that But did you know that -those lucky characters with the we had more great night vision and tricky hunting tactics-also have more ferret shelters and foster homes! than 100 vocal sounds? And dogs, barkers in protection and play, only have perhaps 10 vocal sounds? If these animals could speak English, don't you wonder what they'd say?

Think of how much money could go to Metro Ferret if supporters bought all of their pet products at: www.iGive.com/metroferret, where up to 26% of every purchase is donated to Metro Ferrret!

At iGive.com, membership is free! So hurry up and visit Metro Ferret Numbers the Mall at iGive.com, where you can shop at 400+ stores, including CatToys.com, PETsMART.com, SitStay.com, As of January 2004: and Petco! 97 ferrets at 3 Sponsored Shelters 10 ferrets at 4 Foster Homes Total: 107 Ferrets

MetroFerret Quarterly Page 2 Issue #10, January 2004 www.metroferret.com Member Highlight

Meet Billy & Tammy

Names: Billy Sickley & Tammy Wright

Ages: 34/30 Where do you live?: Rockaway Township NJ

Other pets: 2 Cats Gizmo & Coors

How did you "get in" to ferrets? I have always wanted one so Tammy bought me one for my birthday.

How many ferrets do you have? 6 Ferrets: Taylor, Peanut, Stewie, Tucker, Buddy and Kirby

What is the funniest thing that has happened since you have had ferrets? Our 1 ferret Buddy climbed up to the top of their cage and jumped onto a wallhanging we have in their room and was hanging spread eagle with no place to go (he didn't think that far ahead) fortunately for him Tammy looked and saw him hanging there.

How did you find out about Metro Ferret? From the Internet through Petfinder. We adopted Buddy and Tucker

When not catering to your ferret's every whim, what do you do in your "free" time? Travel as Much as possible

Did You Know… That 'Metro Ferret Quarterly' is available in electronic format?

You can view past copies of our newsletter on our web site at http://metroferret.com/newsletter.htm.

Or, if you are a club member, the newsletter is available on our Yahoo! e-group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MetroFerret/

You will also be able to see articles written by our club members for other publications! Have a look-see, and we hope you enjoy them!

MetroFerret Quarterly Page 3 Issue #10, January 2004 www.metroferret.com Bob Church's Ferret Recipes Patty Kaczorowski

I am just reprinting some of my favorite recipes. Look for the next newsletter for some more great treat ideas.

If your ferret has never had meat, or is not used to a certain food it will take some time to get the ferret to try it. I suggest starting with some meat baby food, warm and put on the ferret's nose. After a few licks the ferret will usually accept this. From this I would try the chicken gravy recipe, which is great for sicker ferrets and much less costly than the baby food. After a ferret accepts these foods, getting them to take the occasional meat treat is easier and easier and so much better than fruit or other treats.

Bob's Chicken Gravy To serve, just allow the bag to thaw, Great for post op ferrets, those with mix with water or pedialyte to desired diarrhea or just not feeling well. If consistency, and microwave for 15 they don't want to eat it, try dipping a seconds or so until warm. This food little piece of bread into the mix and is easy to digest and usually is well the ferret will usually recognize the tolerated, if the ferret is not use to bread smell since kibble diets are the food he may have loose stool high in grain and this smell is famil- initially, if the ferret does not adjust iar. Then you can get them to take off then next time cut the amount of your fingers and finally on their own Metamucil in half. Bob's Baby Chicken out of the bowl. Warming it a little " Whole chicken with skin and fat helps too. The food has more water in it than " Ferretone or Linatone the kibble, so the ferret may not drink " 1/8 cup Bone meal for human " 1 whole roasting chicken as much water, this is ok. If the ferret consumption (cut into pieces to fit in the blender, is ill and refusing, you can feed by " 2 egg shells do not remove fat, skin, bones or squirting some in the mouth with a " pressure cooker and a blender giblets) syringe. Once the ferret does accept " 1 tablespoon of olive oil this food, they will be much more Boil the chicken in about 2 cups of " 1 tablespoon of ferretone willing to try any chicken, turkey or water until the meat starts falling off " 1 cup ferret, mink or high grade poultry. the bones, using a pressure cooker kibble is the best way but you can cook on " 2 tablespoons fine bran or whole Try putting a tablespoon of it in a half the stove. oats or Metamucil eggshell for a treat, or just putting it " 1 tube of nutrical out as a treat so the ferrets will all be Save the juice, bone the chicken and " 3 or 4 eggshells willing to eat it when they are ill or break meat into small pieces. Blend " 4 tablespoons of honey need to gain some weight. the chicken ( with the juice you " 1 cut fat trimmings (uncooked) saved) to a milkshake consitency, ZOTS adding about 1/3 to ½ tube of ferre- Puree the chicken with the fat, kibble, " Kibble (ground or crushed) tone, the egg shells, and the bone and eggshells. Add water until you " Baby food meal. Pour into containers and make a thin gravy. Pour the mix into " Ferretone freeze until needed, much less costly a pot and cook 30 minutes, or until it Mix a teaspoon of ground kibble with than buying those 80-cent jars of has a consitency of cream. Add the baby food and a dollop of ferretone meat baby food. rest of the ingredients and mix well. until it is the consistency of cookie Put one cup of gravy into a ziplock, dough. Form small cookies and place push out the air, and set aside. on an oiled cookie sheet. Heat in 300 Repeat until all gravy is in ziplocks, degree oven for about 10 minutes. put into a container and freeze. Just want to dry them out without really cooking them.

These are only treats, not a meal. Only feed 1 or 2 a day.

MetroFerret Quarterly Page 4 Issue #10, January 2004 www.metroferret.com Ferret Fun & Games! Courtesy of Jo Mannix

1 2 3 Across 2 To fasten things down (9) 4 To drink from (not a shot glass) (11) 4 5 You'll need to excercise this (8) 9 Liquid vitamin supplement, helpful in nail trimming (9) 11 Keep lots of this in the bank (5) 5 6 7 12 Major credit card for emergencies (4) 8 Down 1 To eat from (5) 3 They might use these to 9 make potty (11) 6 You'll need lots of this (tic toc) (4) 10 7 A safe place to sleep (4) 8 Causes begging, useful in 11 training (6) 10 Test for this before they 12 come home (3)

MetroFerret Quarterly Page 5 Issue #10, January 2004 www.metroferret.com Ferrets 2003 Symposium Patty Kaczorowski

I had a great time at the Ferrets made, there has been controversy symposium this past year. about it being used as a preservative in animal foods, but it has been My friend's and fellow Metro around over 30 years and has not Ferret members, Kristeen Kohrs been removed from human foods so and Patti Neals also joined me. is felt to be safe.

Here is a summary of the informa- She also spoke about raw and tion I gathered at the Symposium: homemade diets. Often they are not nutritionally complete and require a Vet day was Friday. Some of the bit of work and research and prepa- more well known ferret experts ration to be done right. BARF has came to share their ferret become more and more popular knowledge. (Bones and Raw Food). About 30% Dr. Deborah Kemmerer from of animals fed this way have salmo- Florida spoke about common Surgery in ferrets. Dr. Kemmerer nella on stool samples, although it medical concerns with ferrets. She uses preanesthesias like acepro- does not seem to cause much dis- has a video available as well mazine/butorphanol. But not with ease a concern would be with it con- "Practical Techniques in Ferret adrenal surgery because of the taminating ground water or other Medicine". In her video she demon- increased epinephrine output. household members. If not done right strates how to draw blood from a fer- you can get an imbalance of several ret without sedation. She doesn't use xylazine/ketamine minerals causing hyperparathy- combination because it is hard to roidism, and on labs a high BUN has Heartworm disease in Florida she reverse. been found. Some have had pitted does see ferrets get this and die from tooth enamel, cervical spondylosis, it. Only one heartworm can kill a fer- Most vets are cautious using any tremors from deficiency in acteyl- ret. Ferret's can't transmit it, but can injectable preanesthetics in ferrets choline and spontaneous abortions get it and symptoms are shallow due to the unpredictability in ferrets. all have been reported in improperly breathing, dry, hacking cough. The Dr. Kemmerer said to use with cau- done BARF diets. She does say it Canine IDEXX snap test used in tion, but generally uses agents that can be done, but is not in favor of the dogs is accurate in ferrets. Immiticide can be reversed if need be. raw diets as a whole. The best way is the only treatment available and to feed the BARF diet is to use whole She recommends presurgical blood works well but it has a lot of side animal carcass. tests to check , and effects. Can cause strokes and death function. A blood count to see if in the ferret. Vaccine Controversy: In order for a anemia, and if very low PCV she rec- vaccine to be approved in animals it Proheart injectable works slower, so ommends blood transfusion prior to generally has to provide 85% protec- if there is time it can take 4-8 months surgery. A filter called the hemonate tion. Imrab for rabies is 99% effec- and prednisone can be used for the available through Utah medical prod- tive. However, challenge studies are inflammation and antibiotics if there ucts was recommended when giving needed to prove the vaccine works, are any signs of infection, like a high a blood transfusion. which involved exposing the animal WBC count. to the disease to see if the animal Anesthetics for the surgery are all gets sick. Titer levels being drawn inhaled, either isoflurane or sevoflu- The most important take home mes- on the animal to see if there is rane but this one does require more sage was prevention, heartguard can protection is controversial since monitoring with induction and is more be used dosed for ferrets, oral iver- they are not a sensitive indicator of expensive. Never use Halothane. mectin mixed in propylene glycol the immune system and no good once a month is a cheap alternative Nutrition: Ferrets are obligate carni- data using challenge studies have to Heartguard and effective. vores. Need a diet high in animal been done. protein, about 32-38%. Fat about 20- A recommended website is Are vaccines dangerous? Dr. 23% from an animal source and low www.miamiferret.org or Kemmerer does not believe so, and in fiber (<2%) and low in ash (<7%) specifically is still awaiting more evidence Commercial ferret diets with AAFCO http://miamiferret.org/fhc/ through studies. She says probably certification are available. Ethoxyquin heartworm.htm for heartworm an older ferret could safely be information is a potent antioxidant that is man- MetroFerret Quarterly Page 6 Issue #10, January 2004 www.metroferret.com Ferrets 2003 Symposium (cont’d) vaccinated for distemper every 2 Ferret Endocrinology: Nolvadex. If the prostate is big, years, and rabies the same. adding Propecia, or Casodex or However, for rabies many state laws Disease - Possible Flutamide is an option. will require annual vacation and you causes, long photoperiods (long will have to follow state laws. periods of exposure to light either Lupron depot is the best medical natural or artificial). Early spay and option, and can use the every 3 or 4- Adrenal gland disease, surgery is neutering. month shot, or once a month dose recommended and Dr. Kemmerer that may need to be titrated for best suggests a few ways to approach a Signs and symptoms: Hair loss, effect. If no response, he will hard to remove right adrenal gland. itchy, dry skin. Swollen vulva, increase to 200-500 mcg of Lupron Remove the piece of the vena cava enlarged prostate causing urinary per month. to which the tumor is attached and problems in the males. Musky odor, then the vena cava is closed with sexual behavior in a fixed ferret, There is a new once a year implant sutures. You can cross clamp the mammary gland enlarge, anemia, that is not available yet for ferrets, vena cava, and remove the tumor but skin thinning over the shoulder but may be promising. the most important is good suturing blades, muscle mass loss. Can have is a naturally occurring because there is a risk the ferret can one or all of the symptoms. Clinical hormone, and has been used in Mink bleed after surgery. She uses this signs is enough to make the diagno- farmers to stop breeding season, put caval incision with good results. sis in most cases, can get a blood on weight a cause thickened coat Debulking is not always a good idea test and send to the University of growth (simulates the fall/winter because cancerous cells can be left Tennessee for confirmation, they run months). Normally in the spring and behind. Cryosurgery can be depend- 3 different blood tests looking at the summer low levels of melatonin are ent on the vet skills and the tumor. levels of the sexual hormones. produced which coincides with the Laser surgery also depends on the However, if clinical signs are there, breeding season. It also seems to skill of the surgeon. Vena cava liga- he recommends exploratory surgery. have antioxidant properties, anti- tion has a 10-15% mortality rate. Complete exploratory surgery to estrogen properties and even seems She uses post op pain control and check for hairballs, the , to be receptors on the prostate for sends the ferrets home on an oral look for other tumors. melatonin. med for 24 hours. During the surgery For the right adrenal gland he likes to It appears to be safe and non-toxic. she uses a hot water heat pad and do the caval ligation, and repair the In the tablets/liquid you give 1mg per Doppler heart monitor. vena cava when possible. Using day about 8-9 hours after sunrise. Kidney disease can be anything magnifying Loupes and abdominal There is a mink implant available that from older ferrets with chronic renal retractor, pediatric vascular clamps can be implanted every 4-6 months failure, to lymphoma of the kidney, to and forceps he has had good suc- with good results. It is injected under secondary to an enlarged prostate in cess He has seen complications with the skin of the shoulder blades using a male with adrenal disease. The the aorta when the Left adrenal gland a large 12 gauge needle (similar to enlarged ,sometimes cystic prostate has grown too large and recom- what is used for the microchipping). blocks the outflow of urine causing it mends moving the lobe of the liver to Side effects are 3-4 days of being a to back up all the way to the kidneys check the right even if the left is little sleepier than usual. with time. Symptoms can be exces- obviously involved. sive drinking and urination, and a low Post op feed as soon as can, about Prevention: Dr. Murray feels decreas- specific gravity on a urinalysis. The 2 hours after wake up some meat ing the amount of light a ferret gets a definitive is a blood test to check the baby food, or science a/d food. If day will help, kidney values with a creatinine over both adrenals removed treat with 1 being very suspicious. So he recommends no more than 8- pediapred and florinef, or percorten 9 hours of light a day, which means every 21-28 days IM or SQ. Dr. Jerry Murray from Texas, also covering the cages, providing dark frequently contributes to the FHL His second choice when surgery is sleep areas and after 3-4pm no more (Ferret Health List) not safe, or can't be done is medical lights on, close blinds, etc. http://www.smartgroups.com/ treatment using Lupron and mela- groups/ferrethealth Insulinoma: signs are weakness, tonin. If anemic, can use Arimidex, nausea, pawing at mouth, grinding epogen or procrit injections, and pet teeth, salivating a lot, glassy look, tinic. But does not recommend

MetroFerret Quarterly Page 7 Issue #10, January 2004 www.metroferret.com Ferrets 2003 Symposium (cont’d) cataracts, seizures. Blood glucose pathology profile of the domestic Platelets, see physical signs, like less than 70. Surgery is the first ferret" hemorrhage, only in very low counts option to slow progress or even offer less than 10,000. Normal is more a cure. Post-op give water then food The CBC: Ferrets have a high PCV than 300,000 so pre op blood work is within 2-3 hours. Sooner they eat up to 65% (packed cell volume). a good idea just to know where the the better. Dehydration therefore should be also platelet count is. corroborated by plasma proteins Medical treatments include medica- being elevated. Hepatic enzymes: The most com- tions of dexamethasone 1mg 1V/IM, monly misinterpreted part of routine prednisilone divided twice a day dos- Isofluarne (inhaled anesthetic) results blood work. ing. Proglycem when prednisone in a reversible decrease in PCV, doesn't work, divided twice daily. RBC, Hgb and WBC due to splenic ALT, AST and SAP can all be elevat- Chemotherapy has been tried with sequestration- so if the vet uses this ed as a result of inanition. ALT can doxyrubicin, which seems to be anesthetic to draw the blood, there be more than 800 due to a fatty liver. working in preliminary studies. may be some changes on the CBC Not the same as seen in cats, to account for. because ferrets do well with this and Diet should be low in carbs high in it is just a physiologic response to protein. Totally Ferret, Marshall For anemia, if less than 12% PCV the ferret not eating. Farms, Iams kitten, Eukanuba, sup- transfuse, if less than 10 it is a poor plement with meat baby food, or sci- prognosis. And increase of alk. Phos is seen in ence a/d food. Avoid treats and other species from bone disease or Causes of anemia, blood loss like canned foods. steroid use, but not true in ferrets. from GI bleed with gastric ulcers They get a blocked bile duct from If hypoglycemic episode, and seizure which is probably the number one swelling secondary to not eating and at home give karo syrup or honey to under diagnosed disease in ferrets. the fatty liver. In true liver disease the rub on the gums and bring to vet. At Second most common cause is bone key is a high bilirubin. Vet can give IV dextrose, valium,etc. marrow suppression from an increase in circulating estrogens, like Serum proteins: Hypoalbuminemia is Diabetes: rare in ferrets. Can be in unsprayed female, or adrenal dis- common in older ferrets. Usually caused by some kinds of adrenal ease. Immune mediated hemolytic associated with chronic GI inflamma- tumors, so if adrenal disease surgery anemia which is rare, and hard to tory disease. may help the diabetes. Diet high in treat, can try to take the out if protein, low sugar. Purina DM is a still a surgical candidate. Flea infes- Hyperproteinemia more than 7.5 can new cat food to consider and Hill's tation can also cause anemia. see with ADV (Aleutian Disease) MD diets. , prefers PZI 1 where the Gammaglobulin is more unit/kg SQ BID and chromium 20- Ferrets have lower WBC values than than 20% of the total protein value. 200mcg/day added to the diet. other species (2500-7000/cm3). If Also see the elevated proteins in IBD WBC more than 10,000 this is a because the immune system over For Diabetic KetoAcidosis- stabilize problem, in dogs and cats you can reacts. In the GI tract you find a lot of ferret, vet emergency. see this from stress, but not so in fer- lymphoid tissue. ECE and helicobac- rets. They tend to be steroid resistant ter can also give an IBD like picture. Dr. Bruce Williams, Veterinary animals. pathologist, works for the AFIP in Renal function: Creatinine is a rela- Washington, DC and spends his free Lymphocytosis is common in ferrets tively sensitive indicator of renal fail- time do free consultations and moni- from chronic inflammation. The diag- ure but it doesn't get high in ferrets toring the Ferret Health List. nosis of lymphosarcoma should not even with end stage disease. be made on the basis of a blood test Evaluate renal failure by a combina- He has a great website with valuable alone. Less than 10% of the lym- tion of BUN, CR and the urine specif- ferret information for both the owner phomas are manifested in the periph- ic gravity. Normally urine specific and the vet www.afip.org/ferrets eral blood (ie, leukemia) gravity is more than 1.025 in renal failure the kidney's fail to concentrate To quote Dr. Williams " They are not Eosinophilia is rare in ferrets, most the urine anymore leaving a low spe- dogs, nor are they cats. The extrapo- commonly seen in eosinophilic gas- cific gravity to the urine. lation of knowledge from other troenteritis (a form of IBD). Less species is a sure way to diagnostic common cause may be heartworm Blood glucose levels of less than 60 misadventure for the practioners disease. g/dl is very suggestive of insulinoma. unfamiliar with the unique clinical MetroFerret Quarterly Page 8 Issue #10, January 2004 www.metroferret.com Ferrets 2003 Symposium (cont’d)

Insulin testing is not necessary with Transmission of the virus is thought ADV. Supportive care and palliative low glucose and documented clinical to be through direct contact with treatments like anti-inflammatory signs. urine, saliva, blood, or feces or respi- meds. If funding continues to support ratory secretions. However, even the UGA research on ADV the team IF the level is 60-80, this is the grey possibly by contaminated objects, hopes to work on a vaccine for ADV. zone. Look for a history of the clinical like food bowls and cages. signs, and if none then do a fasting Transmission from mother to baby is They have worked on providing a sugar after 4-5 hours. After drawing also possible in theory. PCR test commercially available by the blood, spin down and separate 2004. the serum right away so the glucose Some ferrets may clear the infection , does not fall lower while waiting to this is unclear. Some may not look ill A PCR test will look for the actual process the blood. but be carriers where they don't get virus in the ferret's system, verses sick,but can transmit the virus. the screening. Adrenal testing: NOT Cushing's dis- Others are thought to be infected Tests now available to test for ADV ease, the cortisol is actually only ele- with a chronic type of infection that can detect the antibodies and tell you vated in less than 25% of the cases, either progresses (gets worse), per- if positive or negative. There is not it is mostly the sex hormones that sists as is but does not progress, or an accurate way to know if the virus are high. ACTH stim and dex sup- never gets worse and the ferret is shedding or active without using a pression tests will be normal. clears the virus. PCR test. The current testing meth- There is a specialized testing avail- Historically this virus has been preva- ods for antibody just tell you total able through the Univ. of Tennessee lent, but the incidence of disease antibody, so you don't know if the fer- Dept of Endocrinology. seen has not been high. It has not ret is newly infected, clearing the been a problem for ferrets, but that virus or active. The CIEP from United Routine prophylaxis teeth cleaning, being said, there has been several is a total antibody count. The ELISA not necessary. Ferrets don't get the from Avecon only looks at IgA anti- complications like bacterial endo- Outbreaks reported with a high inci- body which is present only a few carditis. But if causing a problem or dence of death and disease. There is months so if the ferret cleared the the ferret getting another procedure no accurate way to determine if a fer- virus and is no longer producing new then do it at that time. ret that has been exposed to ADV antibodies, or is in a phase of the will get the disease or even if the fer- infection where the virus is dormant Dr. Heather Wilson from the ret tests positive, it may never die you may get a negative test by the University of Georgia, College of Vet. from ADV. AVECON and still be positive by the Medicine spoke about her research United CIEP test. Confusing? Yes, on Aleutian Disease Virus (ADV) in Since the clinical signs of ADV are so that is why the UGA needs more ferrets and minks. variable, and may depend on the funding to continue their research strain and level of exposure, immune ADV was first discovered in Minks and find a reliable way to not only system of the ferret infected, it may kept on farms in the 1950's. Infection find out if your ferret is ADV positive mimic other diseases. OR even if a with ADV causes hypergammaglobu- by antibody, but is currently infected, ferret is positive for ADV you have to linemia or antibodies produced by shedding the virus or cleared the look for the possibility it can also the infected animal's immune system infection. have insulinoma, or adrenal disease combine with the virus causing the or a neoplasm. Plus to help them continue their work disease and form complexes that are on producing a vaccine to prevent deposited in the kidneys, liver, spinal There is no definitive treatment for this disease in the first place. cord, GI tract, blood vessels causing damage.

The disease can affect mink, ferrets, and related mustelids like skunks. In most ferrets these are subclinical signs, meaning the ferret doesn't show much illness. If signs are pres- ent they can be wasting, respiratory disease, dark, tarry stools, loss of bowel control and hind end weakness. MetroFerret Quarterly Page 9 Issue #10, January 2004 www.metroferret.com Ferrets 2003 Symposium (cont’d)

It is still a good idea to do the anti- Pam Troutman known for her work lives of healthy ferrets turned into a body test to know if your ferret has on STAR (Shelters that Adopt and facility that would not have normally been exposed to ADV and testing all Rescue Ferrets) also writes articles dealt with ferrets. new ferrets before bringing them to for Ferrets Magazine. She spoke on your home. sheltering in the 21st century. IF you You minimize the chances of bringing want to help ferrets she recommends diseases like distemper, ECE or ADV Donations can be sent to the UGA volunteering at a ferret shelter, home to our ferrets. foundation with "ferret research" on become a foster home and volunteer Starting your own shelter: ask the memo line. at a local humane society to show yourself first: them how to take care of ferrets and Contact Kathy Bangle 706-583-0154 educate them so when there are or email [email protected] # Is there a ferret club in your area emergency ferret surrenders there is that would get the word out about Dr. Hanneke Moorman is a vet from a place for the ferrets to go. The your rescue? the Netherlands who came to speak advantages of this is that healthy about health problems she sees in adoptable ferrets are placed and not # Is there already a shelter in your ferrets in her country. She basically euthanized, the staff at the animal area, you may just want to volun- talked about seeing a high incidence shelter are not burdened with the teer and do foster work for this of adrenal disease like in the US. intricacies of another species for shelter. Helicobacter seems to be a common placement. Ferrets are almost always # Do you have a room for a dozen problem that she used to underdiag- already spayed/neutered so the costs or more cages? nosed before spending some time in to the animal shelter are only in the initial vaccines. Positive public out- the US studying with well known fer- # Do you have finances to spend on reach and education on a small ani- ret vets. She also has seen some medical costs, food, and housing mal care. Ferret people tend to be increase in gall bladder cancer. of the ferrets? picky on ferret care and the homes Sat. October 4th, 2003 the ferrets will go to so having a fer- # Do have time to clean up, trim ret person at the humane society nails, give meds, talk to people on would be ideal. the phone and give up

Then the set up # Free time to show prospective A Shelter Poem costs of starting a adopters the ferrets and then time home-based ferret to play with the ferrets? Hello my little ferret friend rescue are cut out. You come to me with heart to mend # Do you know enough about fer- The Animal shel- I know not why they let you go rets, health, history, habits, train- ter's veterinarian ing,etc to help others? I only know you need help so sees the ferrets I tend your needs and then you start and gives the vac- Resources: cines. www.ferretsr1.com To share your love, to steal my heart www.ferretsr1.petfinder.com The time will come to watch you go You won't have www.petfinder.com the high vet bills With one I trust to love you so www.thepetproject.com/ptff.html to pay off or raise www.ferretcentral.org/for-others My heart will break, my eyes will tear the funds to pay, /database.html But go you must with no more fear although you [email protected] would More will come to fill this hole Catherine Bell from New England That's in my heart for each lost soul Have to accept Ferret Foster, education and Rescue, the fact that the INC (NEEFER) But you my friend, the memories stay animal shelter Until my life meets its last day. would probably Spoke on rights, responsibilities ,risks Hello my little ferret friend. euthanize any fer- and rewards of fostering. rets with major by Mike Janke medical problems. Catherine spoke about her organiza- tion and the foster care system they You can help save have developed. By increasing the

MetroFerret Quarterly Page 10 Issue #10, January 2004 www.metroferret.com Ferrets 2003 Symposium (cont’d) foster care network they have been hand. Patience and keep shooting! any animal with white markings in able to handle more ferrets and the You never know when that perfect their breeding programs. shelters are not overburdened. The shot will happen. foster homes are rigorously Note, white marking on the knees, screened, they are aware of the way Brett Middleton and Rebecca Stout chest, and even feet can be linked the system works, they are moni- spoke in deafness in ferrets. to the above genetic problems. tored and at any time there are provi- However, those on the head (like Brett is an Assistant Research sions to take those foster ferrets out a blaze or panda) seem to have a Scientist in the Animal and Dairy of the home and re-home if needed. higher incidence of deafness proba- Science Department bly because of the higher chance They actively seek foster homes and that other pigmentation loss is occur- At the University of Georgia, special- work together to ensure the ferrets ring in that area (like the inner ear). izing in the breeding and genetics of are cared for and provided the best Even if the blaze is not deaf, there beef cattle. foster homes. may be unilateral hearing loss that Brett spoke about the causes of would be very hard to test for. So, no Alicia Drakiotes of Ferret Wise in deafness, especially focusing in on blazes should be used in breeding New Hampshire spike on building the genetic causes. programs. better laws for Ferrets. She was responsible for getting New There seems to be a complex set of Rebecca Stout is a ferret owner Hampshire to raise their minimum genes that are responsible for caus- from Tennessee and spoke about age. ing "white spotting' on animals. This owning deaf ferrets. white spotting is linked to deafness. Ferrets can be sold in stores to 8 Training the ferret to come to a light The actual cause is a lack of a pig- weeks old. She talked about why oth- being flickered off and on so that if ment in certain cells, this lack of pig- ers have failed in setting goals too there was an emergency you could ment in the hair on our head won't high, didn't network, didn't' under- locate the ferret in a hurry. cause much problem, but when it stand their current laws or know who happens in the pigment cells that line are their local politicians. Sally Heber spoke about breeding the cochlear duct this leads to death ferrets and the pit falls of breeding. The animal laws established in your of tiny hair cells responsible for She has been breeding for about 20 state and local community should be transmission of sound. This occurs years and owners Shady Hollow known and understood by all resident at the first few weeks of birth and is Ferretry in Maryland. pet owners as these become the genetic. So how does this affect out starting point for the bigger and bet- ferrets? She spike about the responsibility ter protective laws. She encouraged of owning whole ferrets. The need for White spotting can be linked to others to try to follow her lead in get- experience in common medical prob- deafness, or even hearing loss. It ting better laws to protect our pet fer- lems, working closely with a vet who can be one side, or both. Of course, rets. Calling them companion ani- will be available for emergencies. if only one side it would not be mals and not exotics is a step to pro- Keeping very good records on the evident in a ferret. tect the ferrets from laws that govern female ferrets (jills) and whole male (hobs) cycles. A female ferret cannot or ban exotic pets. Never breed a deaf animal, always stay in heat too long without either assume the deafness is hereditary Jeanne Carley, well known for her being mated or given a hormone unless there is a good reason to photographic work with ferrets came injection to take out of heat. If she is believe otherwise (like ear infection to share her secrets on getting that in heat too long she can develop life- as a baby) perfect shot. Her work can be seen threatening anemia. at her website The Ferret Company Avoid breeding any animal from a lit- Picking out the breeding pair, keep- and her calendar is a must have for ter with a high percentage of deaf- ing records of the mating and know- every ferret owner. ness or from a bloodline with a histo- ing exactly when the female con- ry of producing deaf animals. Jeanne lives in California and spends ceived so you can calculate the due her spare time and money on fighting Spotting patterns are associated with date. The female will deliver within a to legalize ferrets in her state. other neurologic, structural and day or two of this date or need to see behavioral problems other than just the vet. Once the kits are born there She spoke about lighting, setting up deafness. Breeders concerned with are certain medical problems to look the shot, props, using a second the animals welfare should not use out for and to ensure the kits growth

MetroFerret Quarterly Page 11 Issue #10, January 2004 www.metroferret.com Ferrets 2003 Symposium (cont’d) and health they are weighed and The only rules are to provide novelty, To quote Bob Church: records kept of their growth. physical challenges, mental chal- Breeding is a tiring job and very cost- lenges, sensory stimulation, free "Ferrets are not automations, they ly to the breeder, most breeders do time, opportunity for exploration, have emotions, desires, wants, not make any money and it is more physical play and most important, needs, pleasur es, and fears. about the love for the animal and human interaction. They enjoy the activities they wanting to produce a healthier evolved doing, exploring the envi- offspring. Some ideas for enrichment to pro- ronment, the discovery of vide new smells (ferrets have a huge unknown things, and the need for On Sunday Bob Church spoke area of their brain dedicated to the interaction between other mem- about Ferret Enrichment: sense of smell), put the smells on toy bers of their species as well as objects, rub on an area of the room, frequent positive contact with their Bob has a background in zoo keep the ferret guessing. owner. They love to play, covet archaeology and has a special inter- physical contact, and need to est in studying ferrets. From how Bring in leaves from outside, branch- explore. Ferrets are not humans, they became domesticated over es, snow, dirt to dig in,etc. Keep they are ferrets. 2000 years ago, to their natural back- changing the room so new boxes, ground and behaviors. He believes play areas, move tubes and toys What ferrets are not are inanimate that a healthy ferret is not only around. Hide the food so the ferret objects that can be taken out to dependent on diet and good vet has to look for it. Ferrets are problem play at the convenience of their care, but also on mental stimulation solvers, they have been known to owner." and enrichment. He strongly urges even move objects to climb on and every ferret owner to get down and therefore escape or get to where I really enjoyed the symposium and play with his or her ferret, giving they need to go. encourage anyone who is able, to go each individual attention. to the next one in 2 years. You can The more you challenge the ferret keep up on the date and the details Why enrichment? Ferrets are intelli- with the enrichment, the smarter your by subscribing to the Ferret Mailing gent, curious, energetic and playful ferret will be. List (FML). animals. Use your imagination, a ferret will They need a safe place to play, nest- love anything that feels different, ing box, hiding places, areas to smells different, makes sounds, looks explore, physical playtime, nutritious different. Use different textures, food and access to the environment. colors and smells, and have fun!

Caging is not the size, but the envi- ronment provided. They can get very bored and frustrated when caged. Ferret Fun & Games Answer Sheet Enrichment provides the ferret with a way to exercise, stimulates their nat- B CAGECL I PS Courtesy ural senses and needs. It can reduce O I of Jo stress, aggression, fear and bore- Mannix dom. Providing increased intelli- WATERBOTTLE gence, immunity by decreasing L T stress and increased responsiveness and of course, "immeasurable S PAT I ENCE happiness!" T I R A R M B G FERRETONE A A X D T MONE Y VISA S

www.metroferret.com Metro Ferret’s New Ferret Note Cards

Metro Ferret is pleased to announce a new line of exclusive ferret note cards! Actual size of folded Note Cards are 3.5” x 5” and includes an envelope. Cards are $2 each, including shipping. Please allow 10-14 days for delivery. All profits benefit ferret shelter and education programs sponsored by The NY/NJ Metropolitan Ferret Welfare Society, Inc.

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MetroFerret Quarterly Page 13 Issue #10, January 2004 www.metroferret.com Tentative Schedule of Events 2004

January March January 24: NJ Animal Welfare Federation Conference, Somerset, NJ. For Warm Fuzzy Ferret Show, more info, visit http://www.awfnj.org/ Leesport PA. For more info, e-mail Shirley at: March 12-14: [email protected] PA Pet Expo - 12th ANNUAL FERRET FIASCO 2004 -ALL CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW, hosted by LOS (Legion of Superferrets) NJ. Spring Fundraiser: At Fort Washington Pet Expo - at Fort Washington Expo Center, Yankee Candles Ft. Washington, NJ. For more info contact Dawn at 215-696-5548. March 27: For Up-To-Date Information Spring Nationals Ferret Competition AFA Sponsored Title Class Ferret Show Please visit our web site: Location: Horticulture Hall, http://metroferret.com/ York Fairgrounds, York, PA, events.htm Contact: 1-888-FERRET-1 or [email protected] March: Metro Ferret Club Meeting, To be Announced

Metro Ferret 33 Arrowhead Drive Neshanic Station, NJ 08853

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