Triangle Ferret Lovers Newsletter

Issue 13, December 1996/January 1997

Table of Contents

1. Traveling With Your Ferrets...
2. Next TriFL Meeting/TriFL Meeting Location Needed!
3. December Holiday Party Notes
4. Annual TriFL Membership
5. High Maintenance Pet by Monica Buel
6. Christmas and Ferrets!
7. Can I Train My Ferret To Use A Litter Box?
8. Shelter and Fostering Information
9. To Reach Triangle Ferret Lovers OnLine
10. Where to get YOUR clear dryer hose
11. Newsletter Address

Make a couple of obvious, easily readable signs that say something like: "Domestic Ferrets", we belong to (name, address, and telephone number), all veterinary medical records, including vaccinations, are on file with (name of vet and telephone number), please contact (him/her) in case of emergency. Attach the signs to opposite sides of the carrier - laminated on with clear contact paper would be best.

For a long trip, also plan on having photocopies of current medical records, especially vaccinations, with a photograph of each ferret attached to the appropriate record, you vets' business card, and the address and telephone number of where you are heading/staying. Seal these in a large zipper plastic bag to the outside of the carrier (rain/snow damage). You can also tuck in a note listing the type of food they are accustomed to, name and telephone number of a family member or friend to contact who is willing to care for them if necessary, special care instructions, or anything else you think is appropriate. Have a separate photocopy of everything tucked in your luggage or purse, just in case. This way, if there is an emergency with one of your pets in a strange town, the treating vet has both positive ID on the ferrets, their health history, and the ability to contact your regular vet for consultation. If you are in an accident and cannot see to your pet's safety - the rescue workers have something to go on and your ferret has a better chance of being cared for appropriately.

If any of your pets are on regular medication, be sure there is enough of the prescription available to see the animal through your vacation, with a couple of days extra, just in case. Authorize your vet to refill the prescription, in case "something happens", like if the medicine gets spilled. Remember to contact your vet office to let them know when you return. Whether you travel with or without your ferrets, we all wish you a safe journey and a peaceful homecoming!

We would like to schedule our next meeting for Saturday, February 1st from 5:30pm-8:00pm. The time can be changed, if necessary. Once the club has secured a location, even if it is only for the February meeting, Shari will email directions to on-liners, and snail mail to off-line members. Please take the time to quiz your family, co-workers, employer, and friends on any suggestions they may have. Thank you!

1. Estimated 37 ferret lovers, and 25 four-leggers from the larger Triangle cities, plus Pittsboro, Clayton, and Dunn.
2. Outstanding potluck buffet.
3. Wonderful hospitality.
4. Fun ferret games.
5. Friendships expanded, friends missed.
6. Knowledge shared.
7. A lot of laughs.
8. Two camcorders operating for our future viewing enjoyment.
9. Santa delivered ferret-gifts.

Leon and I adopted our first three ferrets, Sushi, Baby and Bandit, approximately one year ago, and had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. It has been a very learning and exciting year for us. In fact, we have fallen so deeply in love with these three, that we adopted a fourth - Charlie about four months ago.

Our first three babies were a little up there in age when we got them. Sushi was approximately two, Baby five or six and Bandit four or five. Being that we were the third owners, the previous ones didn't know their ages for sure. They also were not quite sure of their (the ferrets) health history. Needless to say, Leon and I went into this situation blind. Our latest addition, Charlie, was six months old when we adopted him, so we had a better idea of his history and care.

Everything was going great for a long time, the usual costs; supplies, vaccinations, etc. This lasted until about 1+ months ago. Since that time our costs have went from normal to outrageous!

Baby was diagnosed with adrenal gland disease (proliferative lesions of the adrenal gland) after showing symptoms of hair loss - her surgery was successful. She is like a totally new ferret; energetic and playful!

Charlie decided to make our lives interesting by tasting some Shout(tm) laundry stain remover (chemical hazard) that had leaked onto the floor. This resulted in calling the National Animal Poison Control Hotline, a VERY quick trip to the After Hours Emergency Clinic, and removal of all chemical household cleaners from our home. Besides being minus some shaven off hair to get an IV in him, he has fully recuperated.

Bandit had some physical difficulties which both the vet and I had preliminarily thought were resulting from insulinoma (islet cell tumor). We decided that she needed exploratory surgery. At this writing, we are waiting for the results of the biopsy of the removed tumor that was located through the bottom of the liver, connected to the kidneys and a mass of blood vessels. She seems to be recuperating fine.

The past couple of months have been a challenge for us - mentally, physically and financially! Thank God that we have been able to meet all of these. We forfeited our Christmas trip and other things that were in the process of being planned. Neither one of us would have it any other way. These are our babies - we would do anything for them. If you are planning on getting a ferret for the first time, ask yourself:

1. Can I give all the love, daily attention and devotion that a ferret requires?
2. Can I financially afford to pay for any veterinary medical costs that will come up, not just right now, but at anytime in the future?

These two questions are very important and should be considered before taking on the responsibility of a ferret. If you can answer yes to both question, go for it! You will not regret it in any way! If you can't, make life easier for yourself and research information on acquiring another domestic pet.

Gifts:

Forget it. Tons of report about the fact that ferrets do not respect the "Do not open before Christmas" sign. Take gifts out 20 minutes before opening. Or stack them on a table, away from reach.

Styrofoam Packaging:

Many ferrets like to eat this stuff; this can lead to intestinal obstruction and require surgery. Keep it away from ferrets when unwrapping gifts.

Manger scene:

A few report of missing sheeps / lamb figures.

Electric trains:

A couple of good stories. Worst case, the train was late!

Tree skirts:

Should be made of heavy material. Some digging reports. Lots of digging under. Good place to sleep.

Stand:

A couple of falling trees reported. Get a good stand!

Water:

If you use a natural tree, do not add any additive to the water if you cannot ferret proof the base. Ferrets WILL find the water and drink some. In fact, if you let them drink (no problems reported if you don't use additives), then watch carefully as you may have to fill the container more often!

Tree:

No major problems reported, even with natural trees. Remove sap or pine pitch stuck to their fur with vegetable oil. It does seem to be a good place to sleep as well. (I want more stuff on this section! Anybody got a furball that like chewing them? Damage report?). BTW: Got two reports of ferrets trying to drag the tree away!

Climbing:

Some odd reports of ferret climing almost all the way to the top. Most reports will give them 2-3 feet max. Some will not climb, but stretch and get whatever they can from the ground.

Ornaments: (See Climbing).

Avoid any breakable ornaments on the bottom 2-3 feet. Avoid the wire hooks (couple of bad reports). Smaller objects have a tendency to end up under the couch. They love and destroy the "unbreakable" satin wrapped styro balls.

Candy:

They don't finish candy canes, and you'll find them stuck to your carpet. For now, let's say we should avoid chocolate until we have a consensus about it.

Electrical wiring:

Absolutely no bad reports! I guess there's so much to do with that tree that chewing is not fun enough. Using a ground fault plug may still be a good idea. Survey electrical cords daily, just in case.

Bulbs/lights:

LOTS of reports of ferrets trying to chew/bite them. More fun when they are on or blinking. No breaking reported, but it seems to a common thing... leave the lower 3 feet of your tree in the dark!

Tinsel/garlands:

Reports of some "Flashy" poop found in the litter box. Cannot be good for the stomach! I would avoid tinsel. Some people suggested an alternative, but I'll let you use your imagination. (I got the usual "popcorn" garland... Sorry, but my ferret would eat this all the way to the top!)

Holiday plants:

A lot of them are poisionous! Add to this all the digging. Basically, avoid them!

Stockings:

Don't forget your ferret. It's not what you put inside that is important... It's the fact that it's a good place to have a nap in, once it is empty!

Fireplace:

Pretty obvious, but visitors may leave it open for your pet to visit. Please be careful!

Guests:

Sorry, but you should lock them up during your parties (the ferrets, not the guests). Enough bad reports to justify it. Biting, chewing personal items, stealing, being sat on, stepped on, kicked around. They may not be able to sleep in your size 6 shoe, but your visitor may not like finding a sleeping ferret in his oversize ski boots!

Ornaments:

If you have really nice ones then you may want to hang them on things like chandeliers. They still look good, and they'll be safe!

Casualty reports:

Stuck turkey bones in the throat. Two reports. Don't give 'em - period!

Respiratory Toxicity of Cedar and Pine Wood: A Review of the Biomedical Literature from 1986 through 1995 by TriFL member Jeff Johnston = http://www.trifl.org/cedar.html

Crissy Fowler Lumber and Hardware Store

117 W. Vermijo Avenue

Colorado Springs, CO  80903



Ask for Stan in the Plumbing Department

(719) 473-2411 - They accept credit card orders.

TRIangle Ferret Lovers

4001 Cummings Circle #1-B

Raleigh, NC  27613

This web page is maintained by Pam Sessoms. I can be reached at: pjdutche@email.unc.edu.

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