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Post by kaiatbh on Jan 8, 2010 6:00:22 GMT -5
I've had my ferrets since November/December but I haven't found them a vet yet. I haven't really been searching for one because both of my ferrets are healthy, but I realize that it is very important to have a vet for your ferrets (and any pets). I was just wondering how important it is to have a ferret expert as a vet. I read that a lot of vets don't know too much about ferrets so it's important to find one who does, but I'm worried that I won't be able to find one in my area. I don't want a vet who can simply give my babies a check-up, I want a vet who can perform emergency surgery if need be. I've mentioned several times on this forum that I live in a very small town. The closest "city" is hardly a city at all. I'm already having trouble finding food for my ferrets (no good kibble, and still haven't found any chicken hearts), and now I'm worried that finding a vet will be just as difficult.
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jan 8, 2010 10:10:20 GMT -5
Having a ferret -knowledgable vet is extremely important in my opinion. Ferrts are very different - their blood work can be misinterpreted by a non-ferret-knowledgeable vets. Even drawing blood is different. the anesthesia is different, etc. The bottom line is that non-ferret vets are not qualified to treat ferrets. Also, non-ferret vets have no experience with symptoms and ferret specific diseases. You may spend money looking for the wrong problems while an actual problem is never diagnosed. I know people how have broght ferrets from out-of-state to see a good ferret vet.
Where do you live? If you pot this question on several big ferret lists, perhaps someone will know of a good vet in your area.
Also Check the American Ferret Association - there's a list of ferret vets on their site. You may find one. If you google search for ferret vet or ferret vet list, you may turn something up on the web.
-jennifer
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Post by kaiatbh on Jan 8, 2010 17:43:20 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice, but I recently found out that the only clinic in Nova Scotia that specializes in ferrets is in Halifax, 5 hours away. I go to Halifax a few times a year, and I would probably be able to take the fuzzbutts with me.... but I can't just up and go to Halifax, even if there is an emergency. I am going to ask around and check out some local ferret websites to see if anyone can recommend a vet closer to home. It is sooo frustrating. Even if I want to feed my ferrets good food I have to order it online. There is no selection here.
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Post by michelle on Jan 8, 2010 19:26:31 GMT -5
Keep searching and don't give up. I believe that I've been to 4 vets prior to finding a good one in the random city about an hour away in the next state. I found the vet via ferret message boards... try joining a Nova Scotia ferret forum. You never know who's within an hour from you.
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jan 8, 2010 21:23:24 GMT -5
I found this Canadian ferret web site: www.ferretvet.com/WelcomePage.htmlThis is in Nova Scotia, but those Canadian "states" are HUGE and I don't know where this is located. Here is the Vet's email from the site: Jennifer@FerretVet.ca I recommend checking out this site and emailing this vet - even if she is far away, she may know of a place near you that treats ferrets. OR..she may be willing to work with your local vet. -jennifer
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jan 8, 2010 21:52:37 GMT -5
Here is another possible contact for ferret-knowledgeable vets in your area..... Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association info@nsvma.ca
On the other site I mentioned in the previous post, there were a couple of people looking for ferret vets farther from Halifx. You can email them directly by responding to their posts. They may know something.
Also post the question on the FML. (Ferret mailing list) I know there are some Canadians who read that forum regularly.
-jennifer
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 8, 2010 23:01:19 GMT -5
I cannot stress the importance of finding a ferret vet. I live in Calgary(we have 10 here), but a woman I know lost her ferret because she took her ferret to her dog/cat vet. He missed the insulinoma, and she lost her ferret to a very treatable illness, simply because neither her, nor the vet, knew what they were dealing with.
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Post by michelle on Jan 8, 2010 23:55:22 GMT -5
I completely agree that as a ferret (or any other animal owner) you need to be educated yourself. I have found myself in emergencies having to visit other vets who were less then qualified as a ferret vet... having the knowledge yourself can keep you ferret alive.
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Post by Heather on Jan 9, 2010 0:02:21 GMT -5
I can't reinterate enough to have a vet who is either very knowledgeable or is willing to work with any of the online emergency vet lines that are available. This requires the vet to say "I don't know, I need help". Some vets just don't seem to be prepared to do that. I lost a little furgirl to a vet who claimed that she was a "ferret vet" and everyone in my area uses her. Perhaps, she is as good as she claims but she sent my little one home before she came out of the anesthetic, so that she could go away on holidays (she flew out right after Pandy's surgery, she didn't even wait around long enough to see if she came out of anesthetic). She left specific instructions to the techs that all surgeried pets were to be out of the office by 4. My husband picked Pandy up and I phoned her office as soon as Pandy got home because Pandy seemed shocky and unresponsive and they told me to let her sleep it off. She died less than an hour later. I've had 2 vets since then. I am presently working with a more holistic minded vet (this suits me) who though she has done a number of emergency surgeries and a few selected is more than ready to call the university and say help. I would far sooner deal with that than someone who tells me that they know what they're doing and don't. Do make sure that you do have a vet that is willing to work with you in an emergency (even if it's not your regular ferret vet). We've had more than a few times where someone on list has come on board in a panick, that their furbabies are sick and they've discovered that (a) their vet doesn't deal with exotics or (b) the emergency clinic won't take their furbabies. Make sure you've got all your ducks in a row. Even if your regular "ferret vet" is 5 hrs away, make sure you've got a vet on hand that can set you up and deal with your furbaby even if it's just to stabalize your little one for the emergency run 5 hrs away. Almost any vet can give a low grade anesthetic and stich up, draw blood or hydrate your little one. This can usually hold your little on over until you can drive to your "ferret vet". I know, ferret vets are not in large quantities here in Canada, but the university in Guelph has an online help that allows any vet to get in contact and talk to a "ferret qualified vet". That is how I've had to deal with my little ones health care. The big thing is finding a vet who will deal with your little ones and will work with you in their care. Good luck ciao
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Post by katt on Jan 9, 2010 13:43:44 GMT -5
A little off topic, so I apologize, but can you make a request to a local store, butcher, etc for chicken hearts? Another thing you might try, especially if you live in a rural area, is to check for livestock or farming areas nearby and see if you can buy whole chickens? Just an idea, not sure if you have already tried, or if it will work. Good luck!
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 9, 2010 22:17:44 GMT -5
That actually needs to be asked in the nutrition section, not in the topic of vets
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