Post by Kim on Jul 16, 2010 7:55:05 GMT -5
1) What are the most common ferret medications? What is the correct dosage (for each medicine) based on the ferret’s size and weight?
Answer: The most common ferret medications are: Predonisone, Clavamox, Metronidazole, Famotidine, Lupron, and Baytril. Correct does need to be determined by the size and weight of the ferret requiring the medication.
2) What are your thoughts and opinions about the various brands and types of ferret cages? Please include a list of pro’s and con’s for each cage critiqued.
Answer: At this point I can only endorse Ferret Nation cages. They have been proven to be ferret safe and human friendly.
3) What food(s) does your rescue recommend? Why do you recommend that/those brand(s) in particular? When receiving a ferret into your rescue do you inquire about the previous food(s) given to the ferret?
Answer: The GCFA only recommends ferret specific foods due to their need for protein. Currently our shelter is has the following brands in stock for our homeless residents: Totally Ferret, Marshalls, 8in1, Zupreme, and Evo. When receiving a new ferret into the shelter we always ask what they had been feeding the ferret.
4) How long should it take my ferret(s) to get used to duck soup? Please include a recipe for your favorite duck soup(s). Also, please write a recipe based on how much time someone has - Quick & Easy (5 minutes or less/week), Medium (20 minutes or less/week), Advanced (1 hour+ or less/week).
Answer: I have found that most ferrets enjoy eating duck soup. Our recipe for duck soup comes from our former shelter director and we mix: 1 can of Hills A/D, 1 jar of Chicken or Turkey baby food, and a teaspoon of Marshall food dust. Blended well. Quick and easy, and our residents have not given us any complaints over the past 23 years.
5) How many ferrets does your shelter receive on average per year? And, how many ferrets does your shelter adopt out on average per year?
Answer: In 2008, the GCFA took in 296 ferrets and fostered/adopted out 268 ferrets. In 2009, the GCFA took in 378 ferrets and fostered/adopted out 321 ferrets. Between January 1, 2010, and July 16, 2010, the GCFA has taken in 172 ferrets and fostered/adopted out 143 ferrets.
6) Based on the last 12 months please give an estimate of the average monthly medical expenses for your shelter.
Answer: The GCFA currently has an outstanding medical bill of $12,000.00.
7) Please recommend ways to make the ferret environment safer for both ferrets & humans, clean, sterile and healthier.
Answer: In order to maintain a safe and healthy environment for ferrets and humans, I recommend cleaning the litter box 2 twice a day and completely changing the cage bedding once a week. Ferret proofing the area the critters is must as where ever their heads will fit their bodies will follow.
8) What toys would you recommend for ferrets? And why? Please keep in mind that ferrets are prone to ingesting fibrous materials, rubber, etc. It is important that the ferrets have fun but it is equally important that they do not end up with a blockage.
Answer: Tubes and solid plastic materials are safe for ferrets. As long as a ferret can not easily chew apart the toy it should be safe for them to play with or stash away. Periodic inspection of all toys should be routine to ensure they are not chewed up and are still safe to be used as a toy.
9) What types of bedding do you like to use in your shelter? (Please provide the type and the materials used)
Answer: The GCFA uses hanging cubes, hammocks and sleep sacks. Many of which are homemade by our volunteers. We use fleece or other like materials which will not shred when it gets worn.
10) What type of litter does your shelter use? If someone is unfamiliar with the brand(s) where can they go to find them?
Answer: Our shelter uses recycled stove wood pellets. They are available only at Mendards in the Chicagoland area.
11) What are some of the ways that you have learned to control odor?
Answer: Regular changing of ferret bedding is the best way to reduce any order.
12) Who is licensed to microchip ferrets? Or do they even need to be licensed?
Answer:
13) What products does your shelter use to clean the cages, playpens and general play areas?
Answer: We use a combination of Sun and Earth and P128 for our cleaning and disinfecting needs.
14) What products do you believe should be in every ferret shelters first aid kit?
Answer: Peroxide and band aids.
15) In your experience what household products that are also over the counter medications are safe for ferrets to use (Ex: Benadryl, Neosporin, etc.)? Please include dosage based on the size and weight of the ferret.
Answer: Peroxide for wounds and Pepcid for upset stomachs. Dose depends on weight of ferret.
16) How does your shelter help a depressed ferret?
Answer: Personal interaction from volunteers.
17) When should a shelter operator bring their ferret to an emergency vet? Is this any different than when a non-shelter ferret owner would take their ferret to an emergency vet?
Answer: There is no difference. Any life threatening emergency should be seen by a veterinarian.
18) How do you know when it is a merciful time to put a ferret down?
Answer: When there is no quality of life left ie, the ferret stops eating, the ferret can no longer walk, the ferret is in pain.
19) What are some ways that a shelter, apartment, house, condo, etc. can ferret proof their ferret environment?
Answer: Get down on your hands and knees and look over every inch of the area the ferret will be allowed to play. Where ever their head fits their bodies will follow. Never allow a ferret out of its cage if you have a balcony or window open. Once they get out it is too late. Also, get rid of all recliners!
20) Do you have (or know of) any custom made playpens? If yes, please provide pictures and a description of each.
Answer: Yes. The GCFA has custom play pens at the shelter for our ferrets.
21) Do you have (or know of) any custom made dig boxes? If yes, please provide pictures and a description of each.
Answer: I have a dig box at home made of a large plastic storage box and rice.
22) In your experience what types of treats are safe for ferrets? And what treats do you believe definitely should NOT be given to ferrets? Please provide a brand name and a description of each treat.
Answer: I advocate only giving ferret specific treats as they contain the proper amount of protein ferrets need. Fruits of any kind are not suggested as they contain too much sugar.
23) What type of detergent does your shelter use for ferret laundry? If you have ever come across a detergent that a ferret reacted poorly to please let us know.
Answer: We use Deep Cleaning Sun and Earth laundry detergent. Sun and Earth is an all natural product and works well cleaning the ferret laundry.
24) What are some of the common allergies of ferrets?
Answer:
25) What are some of the signs of symptoms of something being wrong with a ferret physically, behaviorally and emotionally? What signs do you look for to know if a ferret has ADV, influenza, insulinoma, a tumor, adrenal disease, cardiomyopathy, etc.?
Answer: Signs that a ferret is not feeling will usually start with a noticeable change in the ferrets behavior. They stop playing and become lethargic. They stop eating or drinking. They have trouble urinating (jumping in and out of litter boxes). Ferrets can vomit or have diarrhea. Anyone of these signs can signal a life threatening illness and if any of these signs are noticed you should seek a vet as soon as possible.
26) Can you provide a description of what the ferret hearing range is and what sounds can upset them.
Answer: Some ferrets get startled when they hear loud noise, like dropping a pan, and some ferrets run toward the noise to see what the noise is all about. It depends on a ferrets individual personality.
27) How does someone discover if their ferret is deaf or blind?
Answer: For a deaf ferret sneak up behind the critter and make a loud noise (bang a pot) and see if the ferret stops what it is doing or turns around. I found that most ferrets freak out when they hear the sound of a squeaky toy and must have it.
For a blind ferret, if cataracts can not be observed, place a few objects on the floor and see if the ferret navigates around them without touching their whiskers to the objects. If they can then they are not total blind.
28) In your opinion - What amount of time should ferrets get out of the cage every day (the minimum)?
Answer: Absolute minimum is 3 hours out of change time with at least a 1 hour minimum of human interaction.
29) Please tell about anything that can be harmful to ferrets: plants, incense, smoke, rubber, foam, etc.
Answer:
30) Please describe how to safely give an injection to a ferret. (Ex: Lupron, sub cue fluids, micro chip, etc.) Does a person need to be licensed in order to give an injection?
Answer: There are several different techniques to giving fluids depending the needle used. A person does not have to be licensed to give an injection, however, some drugs are regulated and the individual giving the injections should have adequate training.
Answer: The most common ferret medications are: Predonisone, Clavamox, Metronidazole, Famotidine, Lupron, and Baytril. Correct does need to be determined by the size and weight of the ferret requiring the medication.
2) What are your thoughts and opinions about the various brands and types of ferret cages? Please include a list of pro’s and con’s for each cage critiqued.
Answer: At this point I can only endorse Ferret Nation cages. They have been proven to be ferret safe and human friendly.
3) What food(s) does your rescue recommend? Why do you recommend that/those brand(s) in particular? When receiving a ferret into your rescue do you inquire about the previous food(s) given to the ferret?
Answer: The GCFA only recommends ferret specific foods due to their need for protein. Currently our shelter is has the following brands in stock for our homeless residents: Totally Ferret, Marshalls, 8in1, Zupreme, and Evo. When receiving a new ferret into the shelter we always ask what they had been feeding the ferret.
4) How long should it take my ferret(s) to get used to duck soup? Please include a recipe for your favorite duck soup(s). Also, please write a recipe based on how much time someone has - Quick & Easy (5 minutes or less/week), Medium (20 minutes or less/week), Advanced (1 hour+ or less/week).
Answer: I have found that most ferrets enjoy eating duck soup. Our recipe for duck soup comes from our former shelter director and we mix: 1 can of Hills A/D, 1 jar of Chicken or Turkey baby food, and a teaspoon of Marshall food dust. Blended well. Quick and easy, and our residents have not given us any complaints over the past 23 years.
5) How many ferrets does your shelter receive on average per year? And, how many ferrets does your shelter adopt out on average per year?
Answer: In 2008, the GCFA took in 296 ferrets and fostered/adopted out 268 ferrets. In 2009, the GCFA took in 378 ferrets and fostered/adopted out 321 ferrets. Between January 1, 2010, and July 16, 2010, the GCFA has taken in 172 ferrets and fostered/adopted out 143 ferrets.
6) Based on the last 12 months please give an estimate of the average monthly medical expenses for your shelter.
Answer: The GCFA currently has an outstanding medical bill of $12,000.00.
7) Please recommend ways to make the ferret environment safer for both ferrets & humans, clean, sterile and healthier.
Answer: In order to maintain a safe and healthy environment for ferrets and humans, I recommend cleaning the litter box 2 twice a day and completely changing the cage bedding once a week. Ferret proofing the area the critters is must as where ever their heads will fit their bodies will follow.
8) What toys would you recommend for ferrets? And why? Please keep in mind that ferrets are prone to ingesting fibrous materials, rubber, etc. It is important that the ferrets have fun but it is equally important that they do not end up with a blockage.
Answer: Tubes and solid plastic materials are safe for ferrets. As long as a ferret can not easily chew apart the toy it should be safe for them to play with or stash away. Periodic inspection of all toys should be routine to ensure they are not chewed up and are still safe to be used as a toy.
9) What types of bedding do you like to use in your shelter? (Please provide the type and the materials used)
Answer: The GCFA uses hanging cubes, hammocks and sleep sacks. Many of which are homemade by our volunteers. We use fleece or other like materials which will not shred when it gets worn.
10) What type of litter does your shelter use? If someone is unfamiliar with the brand(s) where can they go to find them?
Answer: Our shelter uses recycled stove wood pellets. They are available only at Mendards in the Chicagoland area.
11) What are some of the ways that you have learned to control odor?
Answer: Regular changing of ferret bedding is the best way to reduce any order.
12) Who is licensed to microchip ferrets? Or do they even need to be licensed?
Answer:
13) What products does your shelter use to clean the cages, playpens and general play areas?
Answer: We use a combination of Sun and Earth and P128 for our cleaning and disinfecting needs.
14) What products do you believe should be in every ferret shelters first aid kit?
Answer: Peroxide and band aids.
15) In your experience what household products that are also over the counter medications are safe for ferrets to use (Ex: Benadryl, Neosporin, etc.)? Please include dosage based on the size and weight of the ferret.
Answer: Peroxide for wounds and Pepcid for upset stomachs. Dose depends on weight of ferret.
16) How does your shelter help a depressed ferret?
Answer: Personal interaction from volunteers.
17) When should a shelter operator bring their ferret to an emergency vet? Is this any different than when a non-shelter ferret owner would take their ferret to an emergency vet?
Answer: There is no difference. Any life threatening emergency should be seen by a veterinarian.
18) How do you know when it is a merciful time to put a ferret down?
Answer: When there is no quality of life left ie, the ferret stops eating, the ferret can no longer walk, the ferret is in pain.
19) What are some ways that a shelter, apartment, house, condo, etc. can ferret proof their ferret environment?
Answer: Get down on your hands and knees and look over every inch of the area the ferret will be allowed to play. Where ever their head fits their bodies will follow. Never allow a ferret out of its cage if you have a balcony or window open. Once they get out it is too late. Also, get rid of all recliners!
20) Do you have (or know of) any custom made playpens? If yes, please provide pictures and a description of each.
Answer: Yes. The GCFA has custom play pens at the shelter for our ferrets.
21) Do you have (or know of) any custom made dig boxes? If yes, please provide pictures and a description of each.
Answer: I have a dig box at home made of a large plastic storage box and rice.
22) In your experience what types of treats are safe for ferrets? And what treats do you believe definitely should NOT be given to ferrets? Please provide a brand name and a description of each treat.
Answer: I advocate only giving ferret specific treats as they contain the proper amount of protein ferrets need. Fruits of any kind are not suggested as they contain too much sugar.
23) What type of detergent does your shelter use for ferret laundry? If you have ever come across a detergent that a ferret reacted poorly to please let us know.
Answer: We use Deep Cleaning Sun and Earth laundry detergent. Sun and Earth is an all natural product and works well cleaning the ferret laundry.
24) What are some of the common allergies of ferrets?
Answer:
25) What are some of the signs of symptoms of something being wrong with a ferret physically, behaviorally and emotionally? What signs do you look for to know if a ferret has ADV, influenza, insulinoma, a tumor, adrenal disease, cardiomyopathy, etc.?
Answer: Signs that a ferret is not feeling will usually start with a noticeable change in the ferrets behavior. They stop playing and become lethargic. They stop eating or drinking. They have trouble urinating (jumping in and out of litter boxes). Ferrets can vomit or have diarrhea. Anyone of these signs can signal a life threatening illness and if any of these signs are noticed you should seek a vet as soon as possible.
26) Can you provide a description of what the ferret hearing range is and what sounds can upset them.
Answer: Some ferrets get startled when they hear loud noise, like dropping a pan, and some ferrets run toward the noise to see what the noise is all about. It depends on a ferrets individual personality.
27) How does someone discover if their ferret is deaf or blind?
Answer: For a deaf ferret sneak up behind the critter and make a loud noise (bang a pot) and see if the ferret stops what it is doing or turns around. I found that most ferrets freak out when they hear the sound of a squeaky toy and must have it.
For a blind ferret, if cataracts can not be observed, place a few objects on the floor and see if the ferret navigates around them without touching their whiskers to the objects. If they can then they are not total blind.
28) In your opinion - What amount of time should ferrets get out of the cage every day (the minimum)?
Answer: Absolute minimum is 3 hours out of change time with at least a 1 hour minimum of human interaction.
29) Please tell about anything that can be harmful to ferrets: plants, incense, smoke, rubber, foam, etc.
Answer:
30) Please describe how to safely give an injection to a ferret. (Ex: Lupron, sub cue fluids, micro chip, etc.) Does a person need to be licensed in order to give an injection?
Answer: There are several different techniques to giving fluids depending the needle used. A person does not have to be licensed to give an injection, however, some drugs are regulated and the individual giving the injections should have adequate training.